COLCHESTER United supporters can play their part in helping to ensure the club prospers in the future.

That is the view of U’s fans chief Jon Burns, who believes they can play an important role both now and times to come, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is unlikely that Colchester's supporters will be able to attend games at the JobServe Community Stadium for the foreseeable future, with their proposed League Two play-off semi-final against Exeter City expected to be behind closed doors.

It is likely that next season's games will also have to be played without supporters in stadiums as a result of Covid-19, something that will be financially damaging to all clubs.

However, Colchester United Supporters Association chairman Burns says their supporters still have a vital role to play in getting behind their club, when they need it most.

He said: “The most important thing is that the players all know that the fans are right behind them.

“Football when it does come back is not going to be as we know it.

“We’ll have to do everything we can to make sure that we don’t lose a percentage of the fans that used to come and watch.

“I don’t want them to say ‘football is from my armchair’.

“We have to make sure that when someone puts on that green light again, we’re back too.

“I’m sure I speak for all other U’s supporters in saying that being without football for so long and not watching the U’s has been quite tough.

“You can watch old games and things like that but my kick is watching live football.

“That’s what a lot of fans enjoy and that’s the big reason I think why we watch Colchester United.

“Saturdays are surreal at the moment because we’re not getting our U’s fix.

“It’s been tough to replace that with other things, when you’ve been locked into football.

“I used to look forward to pre-season because it gives you a chance to recharge until the next season.

“That just feels odd and uncomfortable at the moment and will do for a lot of fans.

“However, the fans will be doing their utmost to try and help the players.

“There seems to be a really good connection between the players and the supporters when you look at things like Harry Pell’s shirt auction with Daniel Whymark, Theo and Frank’s YouTube show and the phone calls by the players to the fans.

“With the fans unable to go along to matches, it’s important that they can still engage and that the players know that we’re really rooting for them.

“The important thing is that everyone is in the right place both physically and mentally when the play-offs do come around."

Colchester could receive confirmation next week of their play-off semi-final against Exeter, with the first leg set to be played at the Community Stadium.

“Exeter will be a tough old team to play against," added Burns.

“But I don’t think there’s an easy opponent of any of the four teams in the play-offs.

“It will probably be very cagey over the two legs, between the two sides.

“I’m confident that we can get past Exeter over the two legs.

“We’d have to play a tough team in the play-offs no matter what happens and Exeter are one of them.

“But if we can play to our potential, I’m confident we can do it."