COLCHESTER United will find out who they will face and when next week, when the EFL fixtures for the 2020-21 season are unveiled.
U's fans will be eager to know who their side will be up against on the opening day of the League Two season, as Hayden Mullins embarks on his first full season as the club's permanent head coach alongside newly-appointed assistant manager, Alex Dyer.
They will also be wanting to know who their team face on other key dates, such as Boxing Day, New Year and the final day of the campaign.
Colchester supporters will also be keen to see the club's new summer signings in action, with the likes of Freddie Sears, Luke Chambers, Cole Skuse and Luke Hannant hoping to feature on the opening day.
U's fans will be hoping to be in attendance wherever their team are playing next season, after the Covid-19 pandemic meant the vast majority of games last season were played in empty stadiums.
The all-important fixtures will be released at 9am next Thursday (June 24).
WHO WILL THE U'S FACE NEXT SEASON?
Colchester will be joined in League Two this season by Sutton United, who will be playing in the EFL for the first time in their history following their promotion as National League champions, last month.
They will be joined by either Hartlepool United or Torquay United, who will contest the National League play-off final on Sunday, at Ashton Gate.
Coming down to the fourth tier of English football from League One are Swindon Town - managed by former U's boss John McGreal, Bristol Rovers, Northampton Town and Rochdale.
Clubs in all three of the EFL divisions will begin their season on the weekend of Saturday, August 7.
WHAT ARE COLCHESTER'S LONGEST AND SHORTEST TRIPS?
Colchester's longest journey will once again be to play Barrow, a round trip of 648 miles.
The U's shortest trip will be across the border to Hertfordshire and Stevenage, a trip of just under 60 miles.
WHAT ABOUT CUP GAMES?
Colchester will play their Carabao Cup first-round tie on the week commencing August 9.
The draw for the first round of the competition, which Colchester reached the quarter-finals in 2019, is yet to take place.
The Papa John's Trophy group stages are due to begin week commencing August 30.
Colchester will enter the FA Cup at the first-round stage, with the game due to take place in November.
WHEN WILL U'S REPORT FOR PRE-SEASON?
Colchester will return for pre-season training a fortnight today, on July 1.
They have a number of friendlies to play before the big kick-off, beginning with a trip to play Kevin Watson's Billericay Town on July 13.
WHAT IS U'S FIRST TEAM PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE?
Billericay Town, away, July 13, kick-off 7.30pm
Watford, away, July 17, kick-off TBC (behind closed doors)
Ebbsfleet United, away, July 20, kick-off 7pm
Gillingham, home, July 24, kick-off 1pm
Ipswich, home, July 27, kick-off 5.30pm/7.45pm (two games)
Wealdstone, away, July 31, kick-off 3pm
KEY DATES FOR THE 2021/22 EFL SEASON
Start Date – Saturday, August 7, 2021
Carabao Cup Round One – w/c August 9, 2021
Carabao Cup Final – Sunday, February 27, 2022
Papa John’s Trophy Round One – w/c August 30, 2021
Papa John’s Trophy Final – Sunday, April 3, 2022
Regular Season Final Day
League One – Weekend of April 30-May 1, 2022
League Two and Championship – Weekend of May 7/8, 2022
League One Play-Off Final – Saturday, May 21, 2022
League Two Play-Off Final – Saturday, May 28, 2022
Championship Play-Off Final – Sunday, May 29, 2022
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