U'S FANS: Hoping for town's new stadium in 2007/08

Colchester's community stadium moved a step closer once again on Wednesday afternoon after a meeting with all of the key partners involved in the project.

A three and a half hour meeting held in Colchester saw the partners discuss the next stage of the development of the 10,000 seater community facility.

And the meeting ended positively, with Council Leader John Jowers telling the East Anglian Daily Times on Wednesday evening: "It was absolutely brilliant.

"After recent problems, we are now on target. I cannot guarantee the precise timetable but we are now 95%-plus likely to have a football stadium at Cuckoo Farm in time for the 2007/8 season."

And U's Chief Executive Marie Partner admitted that she was feeling positive about the discussions that were held in the marathon meeting on Wednesday.

"After many lengthy discussions and healthy debates, it was very pleasing to establish the key areas that have been falling behind and then setting target dates in order to achieve the end goal of an August 2007 move in," she told CU-FC.com.

"The meeting was chaired for the first time by Divisional Commander Dave Murthwaite, whose acting role was as chairman of the Community Stadium project as part of the local strategic planning partnership (or Colchester 2020).

"Dave was very instrumental in this meeting in highlighting the important issues that need breakaway groups or working parties to go away with individual tasks, with important deadline tasks attached."

With those tasks identified, the meeting also agreed on the formation and structure of the management committee that will look after the stadium upon its completion and opening.

And Marie believes the steps taken in this latest meeting should help guide the stadium through to its target date in two years time.

She added: "I personally felt very pleased to discuss issues such as identifying those key partners who will form the management group for the aforementioned tasks, as well as the responsibility of running the stadium.

"The most important factor in the whole day was feeling of everyone's enthusiasm and definite commitment to doing everything in their power to make the Community Stadium a reality and prestigious regional focal point.

"It is not a concern to me that the meeting in September is not taking place. It would be unfair to expect everyone to have completed these tasks by then - we want to ensure these tasks are done properly to allow the August 2007 date to be met."