IT has been a remarkable season for Colchester and it ain't over yet.After establishing themselves as the best Championship club in the region, the U's have been confirmed as 'Kings Of East Anglia' by winning the league within the league.

IT has been a remarkable season for Colchester and it ain't over yet.

After establishing themselves as the best Championship club in the region, the U's have been confirmed as 'Kings Of East Anglia' by winning the league within the league.

Ipswich's draw at Norwich meant they finished runners-up to the Essex side in the six-team division that reflects the big picture.

Wins over all the teams, Ipswich 1-0, Southend 3-0, Luton 4-1 and Norwich 3-0, mirrored their amazing success at Layer Road in the Championship where they have the best record in the division.

The east Anglian mini-league was watched with special interest by the chief executives of all five towns and city who have been enjoying their own competition.

I'm sure everyone will be hoping the U's can go on and pull off an even bigger shock and get into the top-flight after one of the most interesting seasons for some time.

It is amazing that there are seven clubs chasing the three remaining play-off places with just three points separating tenth placed Sheffield Wednesday and fourth placed Preston.

MIND you not everyone is quite so happy at Colchester United's latest success - a 3-1 win over short-lived Championship leaders Sunderland.

Andrew Reed, chief executive of Ipswich Hospital, and a devoted Mackem, was refunded the money for his five tickets after it was discovered he had such strong connections with Sunderland.

His seats were in the home section at Layer Road and The U's are hot on away fans infiltrating their close-knit community and so three days after getting the tickets he received a letter at his Suffolk home saying they would not be valid for security reasons.

The football-loving Reed was able to watch his side beaten at Portman Road and Carrow Road as a visiting fan but those trips were revealed on a database check by the sharp-eyed U's staff who cross check to ensure their tickets go to genuine U's fans.

Despite his initial disappointment at missing Saturday's game, at least Reed didn't witness his team losing in East Anglia again.

To show he has no hard feelings Reed genuinely hopes the U's follow the Black Cats into the Premiership, as he is quietly confident that Roy Keane's team will secure the points needed in the remaining two games.

AS a top class centre-half for Ipswich Town and England Russell Osman rarely made a mistake but now he is looking to raise money for charity by a BOOB.

Osman is part of the Boys Out On Bikes group. Led by Gary McAllister, they are planning to cycle 1,200 miles from the new Wembley Stadium on May 20 to La Manga golf resort within 12 days to raise money for the fight against breast cancer.

HE started the season facing a barrage of abuse from English football and ended up winning the PFA Player Of The Year and Young Player of the Year awards.

A big well done to Cristiano Ronaldo and even non Manchester United fans will be glad he has signed a new long-term deal.

DID anyone else have chuckle at the man who threw away the chance to win two free air tickets during half time at Norwich on Sunday?

The rules were quite simple: Two fans have three goes each to hit the crossbar from 23 yards.

Both missed but the nearest gets another chance to win a flight by knocking the ball into the net with it bouncing just once. So what does the Canary do? He hits the crossbar and so wins nothing - much to the amusement of the crowd.

SHOCK, horror - a woman commentator on Match Of The Day.

Jacqui Oatley had the old 'no room for women in football' brigade getting hot under their flat caps by being allowed to cover the Fulham Blackburn game, which was highlighted on Saturday night's long-running programme.

She did well enough; all there have been are accusations that her commentary was reworked before the show went out.

I personally have nothing against women commentators and my only surprise is that BBC Five Live's Juliette Ferrington was not the first to get the 'honour'.