DANNY Cowley is busy assembling his new-look Colchester United squad - and his team are set to receive even stronger backing from the stands, next season.

The Blue White Army (BWA) supporters group took the matchday atmosphere at U’s home games up a notch last season with their colourful flags, banners and displays.

Much like their team, the fan-funded tifo group are aiming to be bigger and better in the 2024-25 campaign and have tripled their flag numbers.

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The voluntary U's supporter group have been at the JobServe Community Stadium this week preparing for next season, with some more familiar faces on show on flags and banners.

Images of former Colchester favourites Kem Izzet and Tony Adcock flags have been added, along with smaller stand wavers featuring fellow U’s legends, Tom Eastman and Tony English.

There's also a nostalgic nod to Layer Road Larry, along with references to old U's programmes on other flags.

BWA organiser George Graham said: “It’s massively important for supporters to continue what they’re doing and taking part in what we’re trying to achieve.

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“We want to be one of the best at what we do in the country and only with everyone on board can we achieve it!

“We also can’t stress enough how important it is for supporters to help us a full-time too, when collecting flags from the stands, some of us will stay sometimes 30+ minutes after the final whistle to collect the flags we have placed in the stands.

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“So even if you can grab a few around you and leave them on the bottom row when you leave, that would be a massive, massive help for BWA.

“We originally had approximately 60 stand wavers for the South Stand, with filtering out older ones that would be replaced we narrowed that down to around 20 that will still be used next season, along with that we’ve ordered 161 new ones for U’s supporters to use in the stands alone.

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“So, we’re looking at approximately 180+ flags which triples our numbers from last season.

“We also have nine new larger flags that will displayed pitchside sporadically throughout the season.

“We’ve also planned our two unique displays which we are currently in the planning and designing process of which might come to fruition a couple of months into the season start.”

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Cowley has complimented the club’s fans for their support both home and away last season, with the U’s boss recognising the important role supporters play in helping their team.

BWA organiser Jon Palmer said it is refreshing to have a U’s head coach who understands how important the game is to fans.

He said: “Danny has been great at motivating supporters since his arrival.

“It’s great to see someone in that position that understands what football is to supporters, we live and breathe it, it’s not just a matter of a day out on a Saturday.

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“Danny has also been great with the group too, regularly taking time out of his hectic schedule to attend one of our events and come and speak to us while setting up on a match day, those things do not go unnoticed in any capacity.

“We’re extremely pleased in how the first season went after relaunch, to see so many U’s supporters on board with what we’re trying to achieve and taking part every home game is massively inspiring for us to keep growing!

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“Matches that stand out were Crewe, Wrexham and Bradford especially when the ‘bring your scarf’ campaign was such a massive success with every stand taking part.

“Crewe to top off the season also was incredible, probably the most stand wavers we’ve ever seen used in one go!”

To find out more about the BWA, visit www.bluewhitearmy1937.com