Cuckoo-Cuckoo calling you!

Have you had that dream too? The one where Colchester somehow make it to the FA Cup/Champions League/Play-off final – but on the day of the match, half the squad is struck down with a bug?

The gaffer sees you in your U`s shirt and asks if you`d sit on the bench “Just in case?” and then, with minutes to go, the score locked at 0-0? Doogie goes down hurt and you have to go on.

Your heart`s pounding. He hands you the captain`s armband as he hobbles off, wishing you good luck, more in hope than expectation. You jog onto the pitch. Before you know it, the ball`s heading your way and you just wag a leg at it and close your eyes?

?and the entire squad pile on top of you as your thunderbolt volley crashes into the back of the net and Colchester are the winners/champions/beat Brazil!

It`s never going to happen. But we all like to dream.

But what if I offered you the chance to help Colchester United achieve a dream? What if the gaffer was calling you off the metaphorical bench and you really COULD make a difference? What if you could make a real difference to your club, nay your whole town?

You can.

It`s seconds to go and your number has come up on the board. You`re on.

The venue`s not Wembley, the Bernabeu or even Layer Road. It`s the Town Hall, Colchester, November 13th, kick-off at 6pm.

Not quite the hallowed turf you imagined, but what happens at that place, at that time could mean more to Colchester than anything that`s ever taken place on a football pitch.

It`s the meeting that could decide the club`s entire future. Will the council help us build our new stadium at Cuckoo Farm? Or will we be left to fester and die at Layer Road?

Make a difference

Yes it is that serious. Bless Layer Road, it`s our dump but it is a dump. It`s also a millstone around the club`s neck. It`s a financial disaster, haemorrhaging money and it`s not even ‘legal` by Football League rules.

Chances are if you`re reading this you don`t need convincing of the need for the new stadium – so I won`t reheat the huge, positive impact it will have on the town and the community (hence the Community Stadium name!)

However, short of laying the first brick yourself, your attendance at the council meeting could be your equivalent Cup Final goal.

Some counsellors are still wavering. If U`s fans are there, lots of them, loud and proud it will leave them in no doubt about where their voter`s views lie.

I know what you`re thinking: “Lots of others will go, I needn`t bother?” or “A council meeting? That`ll be a barrel of laughs?”

Lots of others won`t go. This is your time. Your chance. Every single person will make a difference. Bring your friends/family/wife/neighbour/dog/neighbour`s dog. Make a night out of it. Make a difference.

Don`t look back in a year`s time when the stadium move`s been cancelled; the club`s slowly bleeding to death and going out of business and think “If only”. An hour or so of your time or a lifetime of regret? Easy choice.

It`s the 89th minute – get your boots on.