Colchester United Podcasts

Beyond the Barside

BEYOND THE BARSIDE MEETS… RICHARD BLYTHE | A GLIMPSE OF WHAT’S BEYOND

In 2006, Colchester United achieved promotion to the Championship — beginning one of the most remarkable periods in the club’s history. A year later, the U’s finished an incredible 10th in the Championship, the club’s highest-ever league position, and for a time even flirted with the possibility of reaching the Premier League. For many U’s supporters, those two seasons remain among the greatest memories of following the club. In this special episode, we sit down with U’s supporter and author Richard Blythe, who documented those remarkable years in his 2015 book, A Glimpse of What’s Beyond.

We look back at the promotion-winning 2005/06 campaign, life in the Championship, that extraordinary 10th-place finish and the players, games and moments that made those seasons so special.

📖 Copies of A Glimpse of What’s Beyond are still available directly from Richard in return for a charitable donation of your choice.

📧 To order: richard.blythe2@hotmail.co.uk

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

#ColU #ColchesterUnited #BeyondTheBarside #EFL #Championship

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Beyond the Barside

The Preview Show | Shrewsbury Town (A)

⚽ SHREWSBURY TOWN PREVIEW | Beyond the Barside

It’s back on the road for Colchester United as the U’s head to Shrewsbury Town looking for a big three points in League Two.

Aaron is joined by Si and Dave to look ahead to Saturday’s game.

We also react to Jaden Williams’ card not being rescinded, assess who impressed in the midweek defeat to Peterborough and discuss whether Ben Perry could gradually work his way back into the U’s fold.

Plus, we take a closer look at Shrewsbury, their recent improvement and the club’s new US ownership involving Brad Friedel.

💬 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

How big is Saturday for the U’s? What would your starting XI be – and are you backing Colchester to get the three points?

Drop your thoughts and score prediction in the comments!

If you enjoy independent Col U content, please subscribe/follow Beyond the Barside, like the episode and share it with another U’s fan. Every subscription, rating, comment and share helps us reach more Colchester supporters and grow the pod.

💙⚪ Up the U’s!

🎵 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

Beyond the Barside – by Col U fans, for Col U fans.

#ColU #Salop #EFL #BeyondTheBarside

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Beyond the Barside

The Review Show | Cheltenham Town (H)

⚽ CHELTENHAM REVIEW | Beyond the Barside

The full-time whistle has gone and it’s time to pick apart Colchester United’s latest League Two outing against Cheltenham Town.

Aaron is joined by Si and Dave to look back at the game, discuss the biggest talking points and assess the U’s performance.

💬 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

What did you make of the performance? Who impressed you? What needs to improve?

Drop your thoughts in the comments and give us your One Word Review!

If you enjoy independent Col U content, please subscribe/follow Beyond the Barside, like the episode and share it with another U’s fan. Every subscription, rating, comment and share genuinely helps us reach more Colchester supporters and grow the pod.

💙⚪ Up the U’s!

🎵 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

#ColU #CTFC #EFL #BeyondTheBarside

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Beyond the Barside

The Preview Show | Cheltenham Town (H)

CHELTENHAM TOWN PREVIEW

Can the U's get back to winning ways?

Aaron, Si and Dave preview the Cheltenham Town game as the U's look to pick up 3 points at the JobServe. Who needs to click? Who gets the nod? And how are we feeling ahead of Saturday?

Intro music by Sam Hopkins

#ColU #CTFC #BeyondTheBarside

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Beyond the Barside

The Review Show | Crewe Alexandra (H)

WHAT DO YOU CALL AN ANGRY ROLLS ROYCE?

So close to all 3 points...

Aaron is joined by Si and Dave to dissect the U's 1-1 draw with Crewe. Was it 2 points dropped? And how frustrating is it to concede that late?

Plus the ONE WORD REVIEWS.

music by Sam Hopkins

#ColU #CreweAlex #BeyondTheBarside

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Beyond the Barside

The Preview Show: Crewe Alexandra (H)

🎙️ CREWE ALEXANDRA PREVIEW

Aaron is joined by Si and Dave to look ahead to Crewe's visit to the JobServe.

Can the U's bounce back from Swindon? Does the team remain unchanged? And what's the craic with Paul Digby?

🎵 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

#ColU #CreweAlex #BeyondTheBarside

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Beyond the Barside

The Review Show | Swindon Town

SWINDON TOWN REVIEW

How did that end 3-1?

Aaron is joined by Si, Dave and debutant Dan to dissect a frustrating afternoon at the County Ground.

A brilliant first half, a horrendous second and what did Danny mean by players being 'undercooked' and 'overcooked'?

Music by Sam Hopkins

#ColU #STFC #BeyondTheBarside

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Beyond the Barside

Beyond The Barside Meets... | Milly Morgan

BEYOND THE BARSIDE MEETS… MILLY MORGAN

Aaron and Si sit down with Milly Morgan for the latest episode of Beyond The Barside Meets…

We talk about Milly’s journey in coaching, the experiences that have shaped her philosophy and what goes into developing an identity as a coach.

We also discuss the unique experience of managing Colchester United, the challenges that come with the role, working with players and staff, and what she has learned from her time in football so far.

🎙️ Coaching philosophy

⚽ Managing Colchester United

🧠 Developing players and building a culture

📈 Learning and developing as a coach

🔵 Life behind the scenes at the U’s

🔮 Ambitions for the future

Another opportunity to go beyond the matchday and hear from someone with first-hand experience of working inside Colchester United.

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

#ColU #ColchesterUnited #BeyondTheBarside #FootballPodcast #EFL

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Beyond the Barside

Mega Pod #2 Re-upload

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Beyond the Barside

Mega Pod #2

MegaPod 2 | Bristol Rovers Review & Swindon Town Preview

It’s another MegaPod as Aaron is joined by Si and Dave to look back at the U’s defeat to Bristol Rovers before turning their attention to this weekend’s trip to Swindon Town.

First up, the lads dissect the Bristol Rovers game. What went wrong for Colchester? What can be taken from the performance, and what needs to improve as the U’s look to respond?

Then it’s onto Swindon away. Aaron, Si and Dave discuss the challenge facing Danny Cowley’s side, the potential team selection and what Colchester need to do to come away from the County Ground with a result.

Plus, Aaron catches up with Craig from Fools Rush In to get the opposition view on Swindon’s start to the season, the players U’s fans should be watching out for and how he sees Saturday’s game playing out.

And, as always with our previews, we finish with the score predictions.

🎙️ Aaron, Si & Dave

🔵 Bristol Rovers review

🔴 Swindon Town preview

🎤 Opposition View: Craig from Fools Rush In

🔮 Score predictions

**Intro music by Sam Hopkins.**

#ColU #SwindonTown #LeagueTwo #BeyondTheBarside

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Beyond the Barside

Mega Pod #1

Rochdale Review & Bristol Rovers Preview

Back-to-back wins for the U’s! 🔵⚪

Aaron is joined by Si and Dave for a mega review and preview pod, starting with Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Rochdaleat the JobServe Community Stadium.

We look back at a slow first half before discussing the changes that transformed the game. Danny Cowley switched to a back three and introduced Jaden Williams, Leon Chiwome and Kien Connelly, with the substitutes giving the U’s a new lease of life.

And what a way to win it! Jaden Williams’ brilliant 87th-minute finish, from Kane Vincent-Young’s cross, secured all three points and back-to-back victories for Colchester.

Then attention turns to Bristol Rovers away.

Rovers have started the season with two wins from three, including an entertaining 5-3 victory over Newport and a 2-0 win against Crawley. We take a closer look at the threat posed by the in-form Fabrizio Cavegn and Bobby Kamwa.

Should Williams now come into the starting XI? Has the switch to three at the back given Danny another option? And can the U’s make it three wins on the bounce?

Plus, we pick our starting XIs and finish with our score predictions.

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Beyond the Barside

The Preview Show | Rochdale AFC

ROCHDALE (H) | MATCH PREVIEW

Aaron, Si and Dave look ahead to Colchester United’s trip to newly-promoted Rochdale.

The lads discuss Danny Cowley’s selection decisions, whether the substitutes who impressed against Oldham should be rewarded with starts, how to get the best out of Bradley Ihionvien and whether the U’s still need to add an experienced number nine.

Attention then turns to a Rochdale side adjusting to life back in the EFL following their 107-point National League promotion campaign.

Aaron also speaks to Matthew Turner of the Pearl Street Post for the opposition view, before the panel finish with their score predictions.

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

If you enjoy Beyond The Barside, please follow or subscribe and leave us a rating or review. It really helps more U’s fans discover the show.

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Beyond the Barside

The Review Show | Oldham Athletic (H)

THE REVIEW SHOW | OLDHAM ATHLETIC (H)

With Aaron away on holiday (and still editing the episode) Si and Dave take charge and are join day Aaron 2.0 to look at a dramatic win at the JobServe Community Stadium.

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Beyond the Barside

The Preview Show | Oldham Athletic (H)

OLDHAM ATHLETIC (H) | MATCH PREVIEW

Aaron, Si and Dave look ahead to Colchester United’s first home League Two fixture of the season as the U’s welcome Oldham Athletic to the JobServe Community Stadium.

The lads discuss the early-season injury situation, how Danny Cowley might approach the game, the key battles and their predicted line-ups.

Aaron also speaks to Oldham fan and stand-up comedian Stevie Gray (@steviegray1) for the opposition view and an insight into what the Latics could bring to Colchester.

And, as always on our Preview Shows, we finish with our score predictions.

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

If you enjoy Beyond The Barside, please follow or subscribe and leave us a rating or review. It really helps more U’s fans discover the show.

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Beyond the Barside

The Review Show | Accrington Stanley (A)

The League Two season is underway!

Aaron is joined by Si and Dave to look back at Colchester United’s 2-2 draw away at Accrington Stanley on the opening day of the 2026/27 campaign.

The lads break down the key moments from the game, assess the U’s performance, discuss the standout players and give their early impressions of Danny Cowley’s new-look side.

Was a point on the road a good way to start the season? What did we learn from the opening 90 minutes? And what areas still need strengthening before the transfer window closes?

Plus, we hear your One Word Reviews and give our own to round off the show.

🎵 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

Follow Beyond the Barside for two episodes every week throughout the 2026/27 season, alongside weekly Substack articles, our 60 Second League Two Review and plenty of opportunities for U’s fans to have their say.

#ColU #BeyondTheBarside

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Beyond the Barside

The Preview Show | Accrington Stanley (A)

EPISODE 1: ACCRINGTON STANLEY (A)

League Two is back!

Aaron, Si and Dave preview Colchester United’s opening league fixture of the 2026/27 season as the U’s travel to face Accrington Stanley.

Following an encouraging performance against Southampton, the lads discuss what they want to see from Danny Cowley’s side, potential changes to the starting XI, the big selection decisions and what to expect from Accrington.

And, as always on our Preview Shows, we finish with our score predictions.

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

If you enjoy Beyond The Barside, please follow or subscribe and leave us a rating or review. It really helps the show reach more U’s fans.

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Beyond the Barside

SEASON PREDICTIONS SPECIAL

Aaron, Si and Dave are joined by The Gazette’s Jon Waldron for our 2026/27 Season Predictions Special.

The panel start with Colchester United, predicting where the U’s will finish, who could be the season’s standout performers and whether Danny Cowley’s side can challenge at the top end of League Two.

Then we tackle the rest of the division, with predictions for the champions, promotion places, play-offs, relegation battle, top goalscorer and the teams who could surprise everyone this season.

We’ll come back to these predictions in May… which could prove embarrassing for everyone involved!

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

If you enjoy Beyond The Barside, please follow or subscribe and leave us a rating or review. It really helps the podcast reach more U’s fans.

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Beyond the Barside

The Review Show | Southampton FC (H)

SOUTHAMPTON REVIEW

The first Review Show of the season!

Aaron, Si and Dave are joined by The Gazette’s Jon Waldron to reflect on Colchester United’s Carabao Cup defeat to Southampton.

Despite exiting the competition, there were plenty of positives from an impressive U’s performance against Championship opposition.

The panel discuss what they liked about the display, the standout performers, whether Colchester deserved more from the game and a rather interesting celebration from a former U’s loanee!

We also ask what the performance tells us about Danny Cowley’s side heading into the League Two campaign.

And we finish, as every Review Show will this season, with our One Word Reviews.

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

If you enjoy Beyond The Barside, please follow the podcast and leave us a rating or review. It really helps more Colchester United supporters discover the show.

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Beyond the Barside

Pre Season Review | Southampton Preview

PRE-SEASON REVIEW | ARE THE U'S READY FOR SOUTHAMPTON?

Pre-season is over. The real thing starts now.

Aaron, Si and Dave look back on Colchester United's pre-season campaign, discussing the standout performances, key talking points and whether Danny Cowley's side are ready for the start of the 2026/27 season.

The lads reflect on the summer as a whole, assess the new signings, and debate what we've learned from the friendlies heading into the opening competitive fixture.

Aaron also catches up with @leehudsoncomedy for the opposition view ahead of Colchester United's Carabao Cup tie against Southampton. What can U's fans expect from the Saints, and how seriously are they likely to take the competition?

The countdown is over... football is back!

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

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How would you rate Colchester United's pre-season out of 10? And what's your prediction for Southampton?

#ColU #SouthamptonFC #CarabaoCup #FootballPodcast #EFL #BeyondTheBarside

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Beyond the Barside

Pre-Season Catch Up

PRE-SEASON CATCH UP

Aaron, Si and Dave sit down to discuss the latest goings-on at Colchester United as pre-season continues.

The panel chat about transfers, trialists, pre-season performances and the biggest talking points surrounding the U's as the countdown to the new campaign continues.

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

If you enjoy the podcast, please follow or subscribe on your platform and leave a rating or review — it genuinely helps the show grow and reach more U's fans.

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