Commemoration of 100 years of football at Layer Road

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 28th Aug 2007

This weekend marks the 100th anniversary of when football was first played at Layer Road, Colchester, and to commemorate the centenary the town's MP Bob Russell will present a framed print to Colchester United Supporters' Association

The presentation will take place on Saturday, at 5.15pm, in the CUSA Room following Colchester United's Championship fixture against Scunthorpe United.

The framed print is of an article written by Colchester historian Andrew Phillips, who will join Mr Russell for the presentation, in which he describes the 100 years of football at Layer Road.

In 1907 the Layer Road ground was part of the Colchester Garrison and in the first few years it hosted military football games. Later it became the home of Colchester Town, forerunner of Colchester United. The professional football club has played at Layer Road throughout its 70 year history.

This is the last season that Colchester United will play at Layer Road. Work on the Community Stadium on the other side of Colchester is now proceeding. When the U's leave Layer Road the ground, which is owned by Colchester Borough Council, will be developed with housing.

Mr Russell, who in February marked his 50 years supporting the U's by being the match sponsor, said: "This is a landmark weekend for Layer Road, and what better way to commemorate 100 years of football than to present a framed print to the official supporters club which they can display in their clubroom for the remaining months they are at Layer Road.

"I look forward to the print being displayed permanently in the Colchester United Supporters' Association room at the new Community Stadium - should those responsible for the new stadium allocate somewhere for the official supporters club to have such a facility. If not, it will have to go in store until such time as space for a club room for loyal supporters is provided."

Current plans for the Stadium do not show any accommodation for the official supporters club even though members of CUSA played a leading role in the campaign for the new Community Stadium - an omission which has been strongly condemned by Mr Russell and others.