A PENSIONER who has supported Colchester United for 60 years was taken for a trip to the new stadium by members of his church as a thank you.

Ken Eley, 81, recently retired as secretary of Old Heath Congregational Church, in Fingringhoe Road, Colchester, and was taken on his first visit to the U’s new Weston Homes Community Stadium for a tour and a Christmas meal.

Ken, of Abbot’s Road, Old Heath, who still attends church every Sunday morning, dealt with the correspondence, paperwork and notices for more than four decades.

The former Layer Road regular said he had not had the chance to go to a game at the new stadium yet, but hoped to soon.

“I was thrilled to go there,” he said.

“It’s a lovely stadium and it’s a credit to the builders.”