WAYNE Brown says it is vital that as many people as possible back Colchester United's Game for Ukraine.

The U's are aiming to raise £100,000 for Ukrainian refugees when they host League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers at the JobServe Community Stadium, on Monday night.

Colchester are hoping to generate as much cash as possible for the Ukraine humanitarian effort by selling every seat in their stadium for the discounted £10 admission fee.

They will also covering all costs and all of the money raised via ticket sales and the Col U Game For Ukraine JustGiving page will go to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, via the British Red Cross.

U's interim boss Brown said: “It’s unbelievable really.

“With what’s going on in the world, it’s tragic.

“There’s a bigger picture here and we ask for a buy-in from everyone concerned, whether or not it’s paying on iFollow or coming to the game.

“The aim is to get £100,000, which would be an unbelievable amount of money which we can then send across.

“It just shows the lengths we’re willing to go as a football club first and foremost but also as an individual in the chairman (Robbie Cowling) – it’s a fantastic gesture.

“It’s imperative that we all get behind it."

Gazette:

Colchester are hoping for a big attendance for their game against Forest Green, which is being screened live on Sky Sports.

However, interim head coach Brown insists the main incentive for his players should be securing the three points on offer, as they bid to secure their League Two status for another season.

“Playing in front of a bigger crowd is always beneficial and the more people that turn up, the better the occasion," said Brown.

“I’d like to think that we’ve generated an environment where we shouldn’t be needing any extra motivation.

“The motivation is the next game and the motivation is getting three points.

“There’s competition for places so if you don’t do well and you’re not 100 per cent on your game, there’s always somebody now that’s ready to take your shirt."

Colchester's players will train today, in readiness for the Forest Green game.

After that, boss Brown, along with Joe Dunne and Dave Huzzey, will take in games as they prepare for their nine remaining fixtures of the season.

Brown added: “It gives us opportunities to go out and watch games of football, which is great.

“We did it last week against Bristol Rovers to give ourselves as staff the best chance to prepare for that game.

“There’s an opportunity on Saturday after training to get out and watch football, which all three of us will be doing as well as Steve (Ball) and his recruitment staff.

“It’ll be a nice change to be honest, on a Saturday afternoon."