MP Russell welcomes "yes" recommendation for Community Stadium

3.10.03pm GMT Tue 7th Nov 2006

Bob Russell MP outside football stadium supporting Colchester United

Colchester MP Bob Russell has welcomed a recommendation by Council Officers to give the "go-ahead" for a £16 million Community Stadium in Colchester which would be the new home for Colchester United Football Club as well as providing facilities for the wider community.

The recommendation will be put to a meeting of the Borough Council on Monday, 6pm at the Town Hall.

Mr Russell - who is in his 50th season supporting the U's - said he wanted to praise Council Officers and Councillors from all political parties for taking forward the dream of a new stadium, along with advisers and representatives from Colchester United Football Club.

"This has been a team effort. Everybody involved can feel a sense of pride and satisfaction at having taken a very complicated matter to the stage where, subject to approval by the Full Council on Monday, we can look forward to a start on the new stadium in North Colchester before the end of the current season."

Colchester United are currently ninth in the Championship, the highest position in the Club's history, with the U's higher in the table than Ipswich, Norwich, Luton and Southend - as well as ahead of big city clubs like Sunderland and Leeds whom they play away this Saturday.