The 2016-17 campaign was a season of consolidation and agonizing near-miss for Colchester United, with The U's, back in the fourth tier after 18 years, finishing a respectable 8th place, just one point shy of the play-offs. Despite a campaign plagued by a glut of terrible injuries, manager John McGreal guided the team to a dramatic mid-season resurgence that saw them rediscover their 'mojo' and launch a genuine push for the top seven. Leading the charge with his characteristic grit was veteran striker Chris Porter, whose 16 crucial league goals proved decisive in a year that also featured the prolific attack of Brennan Dickenson and Kurtis Guthrie. It was a turbulent yet pivotal year that marked the club's vital re-establishment in the professional ranks and remains a defining chapter in their modern history.