Colchester United's supporters will be able to pick out their favourite players more easily in the new season - thanks to the A HREF="http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/scripts/addarticle.asp?id=00000047">Evening Gazette.

The U's traditional blue-and-white striped shirts have been specially adapted after the Gazette complained that the numbers were not easily identifiable. The same observation was made by referees' assessors.

Now fans should be able to identify the players at a glance.

U's marketing manager John Schultz said: "We are always happy to oblige if it is going to benefit the fans' enjoyment of the game. We appreciate it was sometimes difficult to register the players' names and numbers on the old shirts.

"So we have removed the broad blue stripe from the centre of the back of the shirts leaving a larger white background for the numbers to show up more clearly."

Now you see it - U's player-of-the-year Mick Stockwell displays his new shirt which makes the number clearly visible.

Picture: STEVE ARGENT

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