THE GROUND
Weston Homes Community Stadium
Colchester
Essex
CO4 5UP
Colchester moved in to the Weston Homes Community Stadium in 2008 after 71 years at their old Layer Road home.
The 10,105 capacity ground has four separate stands and the official end for visiting supporters is the North Stand, which holds 2,000.
On Brentford’s last visit, Bees fans were housed in a section of the East Stand, opposite the main West Stand.
THE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
It is approximately 80 miles from Griffin Park to the West Homes Community Stadium by road, travelling via the A406, M11 and M25 to the A12.
The Weston Homes Community Stadium is very close to the A12, which leads from London to East Anglia, and supporters can come off the A12 at junction 28 for a short drive straight in to the stadium.
The ground may not appear on some satnav systems so it is recommended post code CO4 5JS is used.
There is room for 700 cars at the stadium and parking places cost £6 – these must be booked in advance.
There is no parking, except for residents, around the stadium but a shuttle bus runs from car parks in the centre of town.
The nearest station is Colchester, which is served by National Express East Anglia, from Liverpool Street.
It is around two miles to the ground and shuttle buses run from the station to the stadium.
The Supporters’ Association will be running coaches to every game this season – details of times and prices will be announced in due course.
THE FIXTURES
Brentford will welcome Colchester to Griffin Park on Saturday October 19.
The Bees will travel to Essex for the return fixture on Saturday April 26, their final scheduled away game of the season.
THE RECENT HISTORY
Colchester are about to start their sixth season back in League One after relegation in 2008 brought an end to the most successful spell in their history.
They did, however, only make it to the sixth year at this level by the skin of their teeth.
The Essex club, who were non-league as recently as 1992, won promotion to The Championship in 2006, pipping Brentford, and finished tenth in their first ever season at that level.
But they were relegated a year later and have not yet come close to going back up.
They finished 12th in 2009, eighth in 2010 – despite a fine start which saw them win 7-1 against eventual champions Norwich City, and tenth in 2011 and 2012.
The Us struggled last season and spent most of it battling to avoid relegation.
They did not win until September 29 and then won just once between October 23 and January 26.
They stayed up with a last day win at Carlisle United, surviving by just three points.
THE MANAGER
Joe Dunne took over as Colchester manager in September, after John Ward was sacked.
Ward had been in charge of the Essex side for just over two years but paid the price for Colchester’s poor start to the season.
Dunne was named as caretaker boss and was then given the full time job days later, before he had taken charge of a game.
He had previous taken the role on a caretaker basis in 2009.
The Irishman started his career at Gillingham but spent the majority of his playing days at Colchester before moving in to coaching with the Essex outfit when he retired at the age of 29 with a knee problem.
The 40-year-old worked with the club’s young players and then became first team coach and assistant manager under Ward before taking over.
THE TOP SCORER
Jabo Ibhere scored eight goals in 30 games for Colchester last term.
He initially joined the Essex side on loan from Milton Keynes Dons in September and scored twice on his debut.
The 30-year-old made the move permanent in January on a short-term basis and signed a new two-year contract in the summer.
Ibhere came through the youth ranks at Leyton Orient and moved on to Walsall before a switch to MK Dons in 2009.
THE KEY MEN
Colchester used 42 players last season as they attempted to find the formula to stay in the division, many of them on short term loan deals.
They have signed top scorer Jabo Ibhere on a permanent deal and also secured the services of midfield player Craig Eastmond, who spent a spell with The Us on loan from Arsenal.
Experience central defender Matt Heath has left the club and defender John White, who came up through the youth ranks, turned down a new contract and left.
Young winger Freddie Ladapo and goalkeeper Mark Cousins have signed new contracts and Joe Dunne has signed full back Mason Spence after he was released by Milton Keynes Dons.
The Us will build their defence around the powerful Magnus Okuonghae, about to start his fifth season in Essex, while Brian Wilson played 41 games at full back last term.
In midfield former Brentford man Marcus Bean played 31 games while Gavin Massey was used as a winger and a striker and Drey Wright made an impact, scoring three goals in his first season as a professional.
Freddie Sears and Clinton Morrison are possible partners for Ibhere up front.
THE FIRST MEETING
October 16 1954, Football League Division Three South – Brentford 3 Colchester United 2
Brentford line-up: Feehan; Coote, Lowden; Bristow, Dargie, Harper; Heath, Sperrin, Stobbart, Rainford, Robertson
Brentford goal scorers: Robertson, Stobbart, Rainford
THE LAST MEETING
December 26 2012, npower League One – Colchester United 1 Brentford 3
Brentford line-up: Lee; Hodson, Dean, Craig, Bidwell; Douglas, Adeyemi; Donaldson, Forshaw (sub Diagouraga, Forrester (sub Kiernan); Trotta (sub Logan)
Subs (not used): Gounet, Reeves, Saunders, Hayes
Brentford goal scorers: Trotta, Forshaw, Dean
Brentford clinched a fifth straight npower League One win as they beat Colchester United on a wet and windy Boxing Day that was full of incident.
Click here for a full report.
THE MEMORABLE DAY
November 25 1997, FA Cup First Round Replay – Colchester United 0 Brentford 0 (Colchester win 4-2 on penalties)
Brentford line-up: Dearden; McPherson (sub Hurdle), Hutchings, Bates, Townley; Bent, Oatway, Cockerill, Barrowcliff; Bent, Reina
Subs (not used): Benstead, Myall, Rapley, Bryan
Brentford’s first ever FA Cup penalty shoot-out.