2009/10 Opening Games: Friends Re-UNITED!

Vital Colchester takes a long at how some ex-U`s players and staff will begin next season after the release of yesterday`s fixtures, should they get a start come August. Or in other cases, still be in a job at all....!

Colchester were drawn to Norwich yesterday in League One, which means Jamie Cureton will be pushing for a return against United on the opening day at Carrow Road. Former U`s aces, defender, George Elokobi and striker, Chris Iwelumo, must prepare for a home tie against West Ham United as they finally get to play in the Premier League.

Likewise Hull begin another season in the top-flight, trying to confound the critics as winger Richard Garcia and stiker Craig Fagan must travel to Stamford Bridge.

Greg Halford, if he is still a Sunderland player which looks doubtful, would play Bolton. If, as predicted, the much-signed defender joins Sheffield United full-time, the former U`s youth skipper will prepare to play newly relegated Middlesbrough in the Championship. He could be marking ex-Colchester team-mate, Mark Yeates, if the transfer speculation surrounding the player comes to fruition.

Another pair of former United team-mates, Karl Duguid and Neil Danns, will collide in August in London. Defender Wayne Brown will play at the Walkers Stadium in a home tie against Swansea, while another newly-promoted side in Gillingham will face Swindon in League One, where Garry Richards is now plying his trade.

Assuming Phil Parkinson is still at Charlton in August, the ex-Colchester boss will play Colchester rivals Wycombe Wanderers in an all-new boys fixture, while Geraint Williams has an away trip to Bristol Rovers in the same league for his season start, before facing Colchester at home in the Carling Cup.

Ex-assistant Micky Adams must face 2008/9 play-off contenders Rochdale but Mick Harford`s Luton are in the Conference, where no fixtures have been drawn yet ,although it has been confirmed that they cannot defend the Johnston`s Paint Trophy won last season. Lord knows they could have used the money for extra matches in trying to keep their title!


Best of the rest...

Liam Chilvers: Preston - CHAMP (H) V Bristol City

Sam Stckley:, Port Vale - LG 2 (H) V Rochdale

Alan White: Luton - CONF TBA

Kevin Lisbie: Ipswich - CHAMP (A) V Coventry

Kevin McLeod & Adam Virgo: Brighton - LG 1 (H) V Walsall

Hogan Ephraim: QPR - CHAMP (H) V Blackpool

Premiership openning fixtures take place on Saturday, 15 August 2009, where the Football League kicks-off a week prior, Saturday, 15 August 2009, as usual.

Vital Colchester is not acting as a clairvoyant and cannot predict where players will be next season; nor can this website be responsible for managers mentioned above entering an unintended sack race!

And of course, everyone here is hoping for nothing but a win for the U's come August!




Which ex-U's players will have a good season? Who will move on before August comes around?

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