Manager Jim Smith brought wisely in the summer, bringing in Mike Walker and Mick Packer from Watford and splashing out a club record £11,000 on striker Paul Aimson. Whilst Aimson suffered a career-ending injury early in the season, Bobby Svarc plundered 25 league goals including a record equalling four goal haul at Chester in November 1973.

U's led the table around Christmas time, but failure to beat Peterborough and Gillingham at Layer Road cost them the championship. They also lost their first ventures into Sunday football losing at Bury and Doncaster by the same 2-0 scoreline.

Svarc's goals dried up at the wrong time, but the astute Smith brought in Gary Moore on loan and he scored 7 goals in 11 remaining games. United were promoted in third place five points behind Peterborough and two adrift of the Gills. The final home game of the season drew a 10,007 crowd as Gillingham stole runners-up spot with a 2-0 win. This would be the last time that Layer Road hosted a five-figure League attendance.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GAv = Goal average; Pts = Points

Source: 1973-74 Season Colchester United Results - coludata.co.uk

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