Fans can recall U's greatest Cup triumph

12.00.00am GMT Tue 22nd Dec 2009

Colchester MP Bob Russell pictured outside the National Football Museum at Preston with the historic photographs of Colchester United’s 3-2 victory over Leeds United

Colchester United supporters attending Saturday's FA Cup Third Round tie at Preston this Saturday (2nd January) can travel back down memory lane and see photographs in the National Football Museum of the greatest Cup victory in the Club's history - and, arguably, the greatest Cup upset of all time.

In February 1971, then Fourth Division Colchester United took on the mighty Leeds United - at the time the uncrowned football kings of Europe. The 5th Round tie saw the U's register an unlikely but well-deserved 3-2 win which saw them reach the 6th Round of the FA Cup. It is a victory which shook the world of football.

For 38 years, photographs of the three goals which defeated Leeds - two by former England centre-forward Ray Crawford and the third by the late Dave Simmons - were proudly displayed in the Board Room area at Layer Road.

However, in July 2008 the Club sold memorabilia going back almost 70 years prior to the move to the Community Stadium. The sale angered Colchester MP Bob Russell who successfully bid at auction for the famous framed photographs - and last year he presented them to the National Football Museum which is based at Preston where they are now on display. The Museum is located beneath one of the stands.