Joe Dunne wants his Colchester United players to create a stronger bond with their supporters this season.

The U’s boss is keen for his squad to recreate a similar relationship to that evident between the team and their fans in the club’s Layer Road days.

Colchester supporters will get the chance to mingle with Dunne and his players at the club’s annual Open Day at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, on Sunday.

He said: “One thing we want to do more if we can this year is socialise a bit more with the fans, before and after games.

“We want to bring back that community feel that we had at Layer Road.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to try and bring in and the Open Day will help that."

For more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, including Freddie Sears' vow to beat his goal tally of last season for the U's, see Friday's Daily Gazette.