The U's start their pre-season campaign with a friendly at Tiptree United this Saturday, and for anyone planning or thinking of going to the game, we've pieced together an away day guide.

The game is to be played at Tiptree's Chapel Road ground and kicks off at 3pm. Admission prices will be £10 adults and £5 for seniors/under 16s and gates open 1.30pm.

For those fans planning to drive to Tiptree, the journey from Colchester will take around 15 minutes. If you have Satnav, then the postcode for the ground is CO5 0RA. If you don't have Satnav, then directions are as follows: From Colchester, take the B1022 Maldon Road, heading towards Maldon, and follow this road for six miles from the edge of town. As you drive into Tiptree you will arrive at a double mini roundabout, go straight over the first, and turn left at the second, onto the B1023 Church Road. Take the fifth left onto Chapel Road and the ground in on the left after approximately 200 metres.

While the ground has a car park, this is reserved, so it's street parking. However, Tiptree United have advised that they have made arrangements for supporters to park at Wilkins and Son's Factory - this can be found on Church Road.

For those fans planning to use public transport, there are routes both by rail and by bus.

First Group run a bus service from Colchester to Maldon which goes via Tiptree - this is service 75. Buses run on the hour from Colchester bus station and the journey is approximately 30 minutes. After the game, buses back to Colchester are at 26 past the hour.

The nearest train station to Tiptree is Kelvedon. From here Hedingham Omnibuses operate a Witham to Tollesbury bus service which goes via Tiptree - this is service 91. Buses run at 16 minutes to the hour from the Railway Tavern at Kelvedon and the journey is approximately 13 minutes. After the game, the only bus back to Kelvedon is at 5pm.

Both bus services stop at 'Factory Corner' on Church Road, Tiptree. This is by the Chapel Road junction and ground is approximately a 200 metre walk down Chapel Road.

For those fans hoping to have a drink before/after the game, there is a bar at the ground. The nearest pub to the ground is the New Times (87 Maldon Road) - this is on Maldon Road at the end of Station Road. From the ground, head back towards Church Road and go straight over onto Station Road, the pub is about half a mile at the end of the road.

Useful Links
Tiptree United FC
First Group
Hedingham Omnibuses
New Times
Transport Direct

While we've tried our best to make the information in this guide as accurate as possible, ultimately it's up to the reader to ensure accuracy before acting upon this information.

Photo: Action Images

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