NEWLY relegated Colchester United today learnt their League One fixture list for the 2008/9 campaign.The U's kick-start their attempt to bounce straight back into the Championship with a long trip to Hartlepool on August 9, before the new Weston Homes Community Stadium plays host to its first ever competitive game with the visit of Huddersfield on August 16.

Stuart Watson

NEWLY relegated Colchester United today learnt their League One fixture list for the 2008/9 campaign.

The U's kick-start their attempt to bounce straight back into the Championship with a long trip to Hartlepool on August 9, before the new Weston Homes Community Stadium plays host to its first ever competitive game with the visit of Huddersfield on August 16.

The opening month of the season then concludes with Colchester travelling to Swindon (August 23), before they host Oldham on August 30.

Relegation has meant that Colchester will renew their Essex rivalry with Southend United next season, the respective derby fixtures coming on November 1 (away) and February 21 (home).

Other significant fixtures see Colchester travel to Brighton on Boxing Day, before travelling to newly promoted Leyton Orient just two days later.

Geraint Williams' side's final run-in sees them visit Hereford on April 18, host Peterborough on April 25, while their final game of the season is at Yeovil on May 2.