Following the results of the fans' vote, the Hall of Fame committee convened to discuss who should follow Micky and Peter in being acknowledged by this prestigious addition to life at the club.

A lengthy discussion ensued but, in the main, it was pretty clear as to who should make it into the final five and become part of the first group of players to be inducted.

We are therefore delighted to announce that the final three inductees are Brian Hall, Tony English and Mark Kinsella.

Although not a deliberate action, it means that the first five inductees cover a good spread of time, with Brian representing the U's in the late sixties and early seventies, through to Mark who performed with such aplomb right the way until the mid-nineties.

This afternoon's game will see four of the five inductees take to the pitch at half time today to take your acclaim and support.

Sadly, the hugely popular Brian is no longer with us, having passed away just after the turn of the century, but he will be represented here today by his son and daughter.

Brian's family all still live locally to Colchester and his wife admitted this afternoon's induction will represent a proud moment for all of them.

She told the website: "I know Brian would be very proud that he has been inducted. All of us as a family, we are all really, really taken aback by this because it means so much to us all. I genuinely can't put into words how proud we all are.

"When we were up at Mansfield, I never missed a game that Brian played in. But, just before we moved, I had my daughter and so, from then, didn't get to many games when he was at Colchester.

"We were a close knit family and Brian used to come home to a meal after he had played.

"I did, of course, go to the Leeds game and it was a great season for everyone at the club. We were all so pleased for the team at that time and this induction shows that he has not been forgotten."

Being remembered in such a fashion was also something that had touched former skipper Tony English. He represented the U's in over 400 league games and, despite more than ten years having passed since his departure, he remains a hero to many.

"When you first hear that you've been nominated, you're sure what it means, but then you look at who else has been shortlisted and you just think 'wow'.

"With the number of players that have come through here, it's nice to be appreciated. You probably don't appreciate it so much when you're playing, it's only when you come out of football that that support really hits home.

"It's nice to know that you've been remembered by the fans and the club and it's a fantastic honour for me and my family. I can't thank the fans and supporters enough."

Having played alongside Tony for much of his time at Layer Road, Mark Kinsella went on to play at the very top of the game.

He played for several years in the Premiership and represented the Republic of Ireland at the World Cup at the height of his career.

Yet, returning to his roots today, he admits to feeling humbled by the fans of his first English club.

"It's a great honour," he confessed.

"It's the icing on the cake of my career. I played here for seven years and I had some great memories that I'll never forget.

"They jokingly said that my career couldn't get any lower than Colchester when I signed, but then we got relegated out of the league so I went a bit lower still!

"It stood me in good stead for the rest of my career though, particularly now when I'm looking after young players.

"I played against people who had to get up the next day to go to work when we were in the Conference, so I can tell the youngsters that hard work is needed to get into football fulltime."

Both Mark and Tony have been back to Layer Road in recent months to take a closer look at their former side's maiden assault on the Championship.

Mark has often been here in an official capacity, watching the U's and their opponents on behalf of current club Charlton Athletic.

Tony, meanwhile, has been introducing his young son to the delights of Layer Road with some recent visits to the Family Enclosure.

"Colchester are the only club I look out for on a Saturday afternoon," he stressed. "They always have been and they always will be.

"For a club of this size, it's just phenomenal what they've done in recent years and they should get all of the plaudits that they have received. To be so close to the play-offs with 44 or 45 games gone, it's just fantastic.

"I came for the Birmingham game with my son and it was his first ever time here. It looks like he's got a taste for it, so it could be that I'll be in the Family Enclosure a few more times in the future."

Much has been written about the reasons why the U's have prospered so much in front of their own supporters over the past nine months.

Both Tony and Mark stress that much credit should go to the players who have scored in excess of two goals a game this season on home territory.

However, having seen both sides of the coin as both a home and an away player - he came down with both Charlton and Walsall - Mark believes that the facilities do play some part.

"It's the worst dressing room in the country," he laughed.

"I came here with Charlton and warned the lads what it would be like. You try to explain to them to come with the minimum of kit because of the lack of space.

"I was watching the game against Leeds and they brought 28 people down and needed an extra bench by the dugout!

"It was always this place that was going to keep Colchester in the Championship, because it's not what these teams are used to.

"The quality of the pitch and the quality of the football the Colchester lads play has caught a few out here and has produced an excellent season for the team."