A BUMPER crowd is expected for Kem Izzet’s Testimonial extravaganza today, with star players from Colchester United’s last 20 years all converging on the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

In fact, U’s current club skipper Izzet, who passed 400 league appearances for the Essex club before the end of the recent season, will be supported by more than 100 of his own friends and family alone!

It promises to be a big day for U’s supporters, young and old, because the festivities will span the gernerations.

Fans who used to feed off a diet of Roy McDonough’s successful side of the Conference era will love seeing the likes of Mark Kinsella, Mike Masters, Paul Roberts, Scott Barrett and of course ‘Big Roy’ in action again, in Colchester United shirts.

Perhaps many of those “older” supporters will be paying their first ever visit to the Community Stadium, following the club’s move from their famous Layer Road ground four years ago.

‘Boys of ’92,’ McDonough’s famous team, will be dusting down their boots to turn out against the promotion-winning squad of 1998, ‘Wiggy’s Wonders of ’98,’ led by former skipper and current Bury Town boss Richard Wilkins.

That should be a real treat, although ‘The Boys of ‘92’ might be a little past their prime with several of them, including Steve McGavin and Tony English, nursing injuries.

McDonough himself will be leading out the team, having made the trip over from his home in Spain, while striker Masters has journeyed even further afield, from New York.

Following this game, a real blast from the 1990s past, the current U’s side will take on ‘Parky’s All Stars,’ a team combining members of the 2005-06 promotion-winning squad with a sprinkling of celebrities, including Kem’s brother Muzzy Izzet, West Ham’s Mark Noble, and of course Teddy Sheringham.

Izzet has had to squeeze all the preparations for his big day into the last four weeks – today’s date only became free after the U’s bid for the play-offs had ended.

“It’s been hard work. We had to hold fire until after it became impossible for us to get into the play-offs,” explained Izzet.

“Hopefully, it will be a fun day for all. There should be something for everyone. Because there will be no away fans, we have tried to encourage every Colchester United fan, past and present to come along.

“And I think I’ve got about 110 friends and family coming along to watch!

“However, there are no complimentary tickets. Even my Mum and Dad have to pay. My Dad should have just lent me 20 quid – that would have been easier!”, added Izzet.