U's begin at North End

Colchester travel cross-country on the first day of the 2012/13 npower League One season with Preston the destination on August 18.

John Ward's men then return to the Weston Homes Community Stadium for two high-profile clashes against relegated Portsmouth (August 21) and play-off finalists Sheffield United (August 25). U's fans will witness another recent Championship club ply their trade in the south-east on September 15 as Dean Saunders' Doncaster come to town. Coventry are the visitors on November 20 before a busy festive period sees Ward's charges host Brentford on Boxing Day and Swindon on December 29. The U's hit the road again on New Year's Day, with a clash with promoted Crawley at the Broadfield Stadium. The campaign draws to a close with the Easter weekend visit of Leyton Orient (April 6), a trip to Notts County (April 13) and a home clash with Shrewsbury on April 20.