CASH will no longer be accepted on matchdays at Colchester United’s Jobserve Community Stadium as part of a raft of improvements being made by the club.

Chairman Robbie Cowling has announced the U’s are making a number of changes to fans’ matchday experiences for the start of 2019/20 season.

Amongst the changes is the loss of cash sales points at the stadium on matchdays, where Mr Cowling says having roughly 60 cash floats takes vital resources away from the club.

He said: “We will make a few kiosks available where cash can be added to a club card, but please bring your alternatives to cash if at all possible.”

The scanners at the stadium have been upgraded to be able to read tickets from mobile phones to help future proof the stadium’s facilities.

During the early part of the season the club’s supporters bar will also be turned into a fan zone aimed at improving fans’ matchday experience.

The U’s are creating technology to help fans beat the queues at food and retail outlets.

Mr Cowling said: “This is technology we are developing ourselves and, if it is successful, we would have a product we could sell to other clubs thereby introducing a further income stream for the club.”

Gazette: U's chairman Robbie CowlingU's chairman Robbie Cowling

The chairman also announced the team will not sport the club’s iconic blue and white stripes on their home shirt for the first time in decades.

In his a pre-season update for supporters, Mr Cowling discussed topics like the departures of star players Sammie Szmodics and Frankie Kent and the club’s investment in youth.

READ MORE: Colchester United set to get rid of stripes on home kit

But he also dropped a cryptic hint about the U’s new kit, which is set to be revealed before the club’s open day on Sunday.

Mr Cowling said: “The first team kits are normally introduced just before the open day, but I’m going to use this statement to give a clue to the look of this year’s home kit.

“For most years, but certainly not all of them, the Colchester kit is blue and white stripes. This year is one of those years where we are going to make an exception.

“The clue to what can be expected is that I hope this year’s kit will repeat the amazing cup success Colchester last had when they wore a very similar kit.”

Mr Cowling’s reference to FA Cup success is probably a nod to the U’s famous cup run in 1971 when they famously beat Leeds United in the fifth round.

At the time the Yorkshire club were three divisions above the U’s in the old First Division.

The win, which led to a quarter final tie at Goodison Park, is one of the most famous games in the club’s history and the team took to the field that day in an all-blue kit with blue shorts.

There is some debate amongst fans as to whether 1989/90’s cross-hatched shirt or 1993/94’s dark blue number, is the most recent home shirt which did not feature stripes.

Colchester United’s new home shirt could be unveiled before the club’s open day on Sunday, when it officially goes on sale.

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