IN little more than a fortnight, Colchester United will discover who they are playing and when, next season.

And John McGreal’s side and their supporters know they will be clocking up more miles in League Two, ahead of the 2019-20 fixtures being released on Thursday, June 20.

The U’s were well backed on the road last season and their loyal fans will travel the length and breadth of the country to get behind their side again.

RACKING UP THE MILES

Colchester will be racking up more miles in the next campaign, following the promotions and relegations in and out of the fourth tier.

The U's and their supporters will travel a total of 7,576 miles in their 23 away games, in League Two.

That is up a total of 96 miles on the 2018/19 campaign and works out as an average of 329.39 miles per game.

PLYMOUTH PILGRIMAGE

Colchester’s longest trip of the season remains Carlisle United, which is a mammoth round trip of 628 miles up to Cumbria.

But Plymouth Argyle’s relegation from League One certainly runs that trek close, with the round trip to Home Park from the JobServe Community Stadium a total of 580 miles.

There will also be the epic round trips to play the likes of Morecambe (584.8), Exeter City (495.6), Newport County (422.4) and Macclesfield Town (421.8).

Along with their marathon journey down to Plymouth, the U’s also face three other pretty lengthy trips to face sides recently relegated from the third tier.

Colchester’s game at Bradford City will see them travel nearly 430 miles in total to Valley Parade, while their fixtures at Scunthorpe United (370-mile round trip) and Walsall (324.4-mile round trip) will also be pretty long.

At least Tranmere Rovers’ promotion to League One via the play-offs will save the U’s a 510-mile journey while the promotion of Bury (482.2-mile round trip) and Lincoln City (305.6-mile round trip) will also save on the miles for the U’s, as will Yeovil Town’s relegation to the National League (413.8-mile round trip).

However, MK Dons’ elevation means one fewer short trip for McGreal’s side.

LONDON CALLING

Colchester’s shortest journey will be when they make the trip over the county border to Hertfordshire to face Stevenage, which is a round trip of 117.6 miles.

But for many U’s fans, the 118-mile round trip to East London to play Leyton Orient will represent the nearest they get to a derby match, in the forthcoming campaign.

And it could see Colchester come up against two of their former players in Macauley Bonne and Dean Brill.

Colchester will also lock swords again with Cambridge United, where they are sure to have another sizeable away following at the Abbey Stadium.

NEW HORIZONS

Colchester will have one new ground to visit in League Two, next season.

The U’s face a 480-mile round journey to Moor Lane to take on Salford City.

Graham Alexander’s team were promoted via the play-offs after beating AFC Fylde at Wembley Stadium last month.

IN THE RUNNING

Plymouth are the early favourites to land the League Two title next season, according to league sponsors Sky Bet.

The Pilgrims are rated as 8/1 to win the title, ahead of Bradford City (9/1), Mansfield Town (10/1) and Scunthorpe United (10/1).

Colchester are joint sixth favourites to win League Two at 14/1, along with Carlisle United.

With thanks to U's fan, historian and statistician Graeson Laitt – visit www.coludata.co.uk