Colchester United first-team coach John McGreal said it was great to see so many supporters attend the club's annual open day this afternoon.

More than 2,500 are estimated to have been in attendance at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, where they got the chance to meet the U's players and coaching staff and take part in plenty of fun activities.

McGreal said: “It’s a great occasion and it's great to see so much support – I’ve been given an opportunity to manage the football club.

“I’ve become a fan myself and I’ve been here eight or nine years.

“The season ticket sales are up on last season so there’s optimism throughout the fans, not only ourselves and I think the new signings have helped that.

“We know we get great support and we’ve seen that over the years.

“We all need to do it as one and we get together and it’s about us then getting results on the football pitch for the fans."

For a picture special from today's Colchester United Open Day, along with a U's team poster, see Monday's Daily Gazette.