Colchester United will make the 500-mile round trip up to play Accrington Stanley for their League Two curtain-raiser in good heart, if their recent record in opening-day fixtures is anything to go by.

The U’s have not lost on the first day of the season since suffering a 4-2 defeat at Hartlepool United in August, 2008.

Admittedly, Colchester’s previous three season-openers have all ended in draws.

But over the past decade, they have also enjoyed some memorable results on the first day - none more so than their unforgettable triumph over Norwich City, in 2009.

Colchester’s 7-1 victory at Carrow Road sent shockwaves through football and was one of their biggest-ever wins.

Two goals apiece from Kevin Lisbie and Clive Platt, along with further strikes from David Fox, David Perkins and Scott Vernon, helped the U’s inflict upon the Canaries the worst home defeat in their 107-year history.

It was a result that ultimately led to the controversial departure of U’s manager Paul Lambert.

Little more than a week later, the Scot quit the Weston Homes Community Stadium to succeed Bryan Gunn as Norwich boss.

Two years’ later, Colchester were handed a trip to play another side relegated from the Championship in much-fancied Preston North End – and handed them a similar humiliation.

The U’s won 4-2 at Deepdale, as Ian Henderson’s double and further goals from Anthony Wordsworth and Kayode Odejayi gave Aidy Boothroyd’s side victory.

Since then, Colchester’s opening-day fixtures have been a little less remarkable but nevertheless, they have remained hard to beat.

And there has been no shortage of drama too, with Colchester playing their part in a four-goal thriller against Blackpool two years ago and Andy Bond coming off the bench to grab the U’s late winner in their 1-0 win over Gillingham, at Priestfield in 2013.

That was the last time that Colchester tasted victory on the first day of the season but John McGreal’s side will be hoping to kick off the 2017-18 campaign in winning style, on August 5.