It will be cheaper for some fans to watch the U's in person than by pay-per-view in March, when Manchester City are the visitors.

Colchester United's game with the Sky Blues has been earmarked by Sky TV as the second competitive League match in football history to be shown as a pay-per-view live game.

And it will be the first time a game has been shown live from Layer Road since the U's returned to the Football League in 1992.

With the television company likely to charge £7.95, U's fans standing will see the game for only £7, probably the first time it has been cheaper to watch an event live than on the box.

The game will kick off at 6pm and will be all-ticket with 1,200 City fans expected to take up their allocation.

Sky TV will take 50 per cent and the rest split between the two clubs and the Football League which means the U's will take at least 16.5 per cent of the subscription.

The first game to be shown live is Oxford United's Manor Ground clash with Sunderland in February.

Colchester United managing director Stephen Gage today welcomed the news.

He said: "We have been lobbying hard to have a live TV game shown from Layer Road since we returned to the League.

"There is an enormous amount of interest for this game not just from City but among our own fans.

"It will offer a cheaper option for Manchester City fans and will hopefully stop those who do not have tickets from coming to Colchester.

"It is very good for the club and a bold step by the Football League who have beaten the Premier in this initiative."

The Football League are now in discussions with their member clubs to show up to a further four live games, with each match available to Sky subscribers for a one-off fee of £7.95.

The hoped-for handful of games will complement Sky's coverage of the League, which already includes 60 matches over the course of the season, as well as the play-offs.

League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "We feel the time is right to show a limited number of games and Sky have helped us to do this.

"These matches will bring in extra revenue for the clubs and the League at a time when it is very much needed and fans who cannot get a ticket or travel to a game will welcome the chance to see these matches."

Steve Wignall has been quoted £150,000 for a Third Division striker which is too rich for the U's blood. But he is hoping to bring another player in on loan within the next few days.

Tony Adcock has made good progress from his calf injury.

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