IT'S good to talk.

Colchester United's players and staff have been making surprise phone calls to U's supporters who are staying safe at home in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The U's first-team squad and other members of the club's staff have been on the blower to the club's fans, lifting their spirits with some football chatter.

U's midfielder Harry Pell told the club website: "It has been great to have a chat with a few supporters.

"It's hard for everyone that can't get out the house but we all have to remember it's a case of being 'safe at home' rather than 'stuck at home'.

"I had a particularly good chat with David Laitt, one of our season ticket holders, and I'm definitely going to share a beer with him down in his shed once we're back in the swing of normal life again."

Fans up and down the country have been deprived of their football fix over recent weeks, following the coronavirus outbreak.

Colchester's last game in League Two was their 3-0 win at Carlisle United on March 7.

Colchester United's Football in the Community (FITC) head of community Corin Haines said: "The aim was to provide the fans with a unexpected surprise that would lift them, and despite the lack of live football, an opportunity for fans and players to appreciate and care for each other.

"The players embraced it, and hopefully the calls have been well received by the fans - in turn giving them some further purpose and direction."