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Curtain call on Layer Road: We'll miss the buzz of match days
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| Get used to it - Saturdays will be just like any other day for Colchester United's neighbours, when the club moves to the new stadium. Picture: LOUISE MORRIS (77204-7) |
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As the end of an era approaches, Colchester United's neighbours on Layer Road will be waving a sad goodbye to the crowds and bustle of match days. Reporter Gareth Palmer went to speak to residents and businesses on Colchester's answer to Matt Busby Way, or Anfield Road to find out what it has been like to live cheek by jowl with a football ground.
For Dorinda Smith, evening kick-offs have meant the back garden of her house on Layer Road is bathed in light.
"It's brilliant. I'm a potter and have a studio at the bottom of my garden that gets nicely lit up," she said.
"I'm not a fan and have never been to a game, but I will miss having the football opposite.
"We've never had a problem with the crowds, and friends who go to the game normally pop in for a drink."
The roar of the crowd keeps Tony Anthony, 69, and his wife, Eve; informed of the score.
"You always know when a goal's been scored - particularly one for the U's!" he said.
"The fans on the street don't bother us, and we've never had any trouble because there's usually a policeman standing at the top of our drive!"
The couple have lived in the shadow of the ground for 30 years.
"I will miss it. The crowds bring some atmosphere into the area and they're always good-natured," Mrs Anthony said.
"We're just going to have to get used to quiet Saturdays through the winter."
Ralph Martin, owner of the Layer Road Convenience Store and Ralph and Rita Martin Florists, has "seen a lot of excitement" in the 25 years he has worked next to the U's home.
"There's a great buzz along here on match days and we will miss that," he said.
"The convenience store gets very busy but we've never had any problems, apart from once when a coachload of away fans stole a lot.
"We will lose some trade, but there'll be houses or flats built on the ground soon enough to replace it."
At the Drury Arms pub, landlord Stuart Sneddon does not expect that the absence of thirsty football fans will put a dent in his profits.
He said: "It has been great fun though and I will miss the buzz of match days."
Mr Sneddon expects to retain a loyal crowd of U's fans having a pre-match pint, even when the match is being played on the other side of Colchester at Cuckoo Farm.
"A lot of the guys have told me they're still going to come in here for a pint, because that's their tradition, and then get a cab to the new ground.
"Perhaps I'll lay on a coach for them!"
CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE WILL HIDE THE PAIN OF RELEGATION
A carnival atmosphere will try to ease the pain of both relegation and Colchester United's last league home game at Layer Road.
Music, dancers and 16th Century night watchmen will all play their part in tomorrow's match against high-flying Stoke City, which sold out on Tuesday morning.
U's chief executive Marie Partner said she wants the ground "to go out with a bang".
"We're very conscious of the fact that we're winding down on Layer Road, but we're also trying to crank things up in readiness for the new stadium," she said.
"I'm sure that there will be a lot of mixed emotions around the place, and we're planning to make the game as memorable as possible."
The fun starts at 1pm, with a samba band playing outside the ground to entertain early arrivals.
At 1.30pm local alt-rockers Absent Kid will strike up a tune inside the ground, with the samba band marching in to join them at 2pm.
In between the music, the crowd will be entertained by commentary of classic games played at Layer Road over the years, while in the family enclosure, face painters and balloon artists will try to keep the tears off younger fans' faces.
As kick-off nears, players will be escorted onto the pitch by the Colchester Town Watch, the mayor's ceremonial bodyguard, who will carry the match ball as well as their usual pikes and armour.
At half time, the U's hall of fame will receive its newest members.
After the final whistle, player of the year awards will be presented on the pitch.
STADIUM FITTINGS UP FOR AUCTION
Colchester United fixtures and fittings from the Layer Road ground will go up for auction
The club is set to pick up the keys for the new community stadium on Friday, July 11 - but until then it will be business as usual at the Layer Road club shop and in the ticket office.
U's spokesman Matt Hudson said the club would be moving over that weekend.
"Until then we'll be packing up at Layer Road, while the club shop, season ticket sales and preparations for next season will carry on as normal," he said.
The floodlights will be moving from the old to new ground, but everything else is set to go under the hammer.
"We're in the process of organising an auction of all the fixtures and fittings," Mr Hudson said. "Everything will be up for sale, from the office furniture to club captain Karl Duguid's coat hook!
"We want everyone to have a little something of Layer Road to take away with them."
After the gates have been locked for the last time, the famous old ground will be sold off for redevelopment as housing.
Colchester Council, which owns the ground, has instructed estate agent Savills to market it.
Gill Bellenie, the authority's estates manager, said that "for sale" signs are set to go up outside the stadium early next month, although no price tag has been set.
"We're asking for best offers, and leaving it to the market to let us know what it's worth," she said.
The sale of the ground is expected to raise £3m toward the £16m cost of the new stadium.
PATIENTS WON'T BE FORGOTTEN
Hospital patients will be able to take in the atmosphere of Layer Road's last league game.
A special outside broadcast is being put on by Hospital Radio Colchester from noon tomorrow, to give fans on the wards a feeling of the occasion and the all-important match commentary.
As well as interviews with players from the past and present, presenters will be talking to fans about their memories.
The station has broadcast commentary of all the U's games at Layer Road since it was set up in 1953, with Godfrey Thomas at the microphone for the last 50 years.
A presentation will be made to him on the pitch before the kick-off.
9:57am Friday 25th April 2008
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