The 2006-07 campaign delivered an unforgettable, dream-like season for Colchester United as The U's, in their first-ever season in the second tier, defied all odds to secure a spectacular 10th-place finish in the Championship, a club record best-ever league finish. Spearheading this historic charge was the prolific centre-forward Jamie Cureton, whose 23 league goals, including a crucial hat-trick in the thrilling 4-3 victory over Derby County, earned him the coveted Championship Golden Boot. This monumental achievement, the first time a Colchester striker had hit 20 league goals in 22 years, was the defining factor in a campaign built on the tactical guidance of manager Geraint Williams and the formidable attacking platform he provided alongside Chris Iwelumo. It was a golden year that remains a cherished and defining chapter in the history of The U's.