EPISODE 1: ACCRINGTON STANLEY (A)

League Two is back!

Aaron, Si and Dave preview Colchester United’s opening league fixture of the 2026/27 season as the U’s travel to face Accrington Stanley.

Following an encouraging performance against Southampton, the lads discuss what they want to see from Danny Cowley’s side, potential changes to the starting XI, the big selection decisions and what to expect from Accrington.

And, as always on our Preview Shows, we finish with our score predictions.

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

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SEASON PREDICTIONS SPECIAL

Aaron, Si and Dave are joined by The Gazette’s Jon Waldron for our 2026/27 Season Predictions Special.

The panel start with Colchester United, predicting where the U’s will finish, who could be the season’s standout performers and whether Danny Cowley’s side can challenge at the top end of League Two.

Then we tackle the rest of the division, with predictions for the champions, promotion places, play-offs, relegation battle, top goalscorer and the teams who could surprise everyone this season.

We’ll come back to these predictions in May… which could prove embarrassing for everyone involved!

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

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SOUTHAMPTON REVIEW

The first Review Show of the season!

Aaron, Si and Dave are joined by The Gazette’s Jon Waldron to reflect on Colchester United’s Carabao Cup defeat to Southampton.

Despite exiting the competition, there were plenty of positives from an impressive U’s performance against Championship opposition.

The panel discuss what they liked about the display, the standout performers, whether Colchester deserved more from the game and a rather interesting celebration from a former U’s loanee!

We also ask what the performance tells us about Danny Cowley’s side heading into the League Two campaign.

And we finish, as every Review Show will this season, with our One Word Reviews.

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

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PRE-SEASON REVIEW | ARE THE U'S READY FOR SOUTHAMPTON?

Pre-season is over. The real thing starts now.

Aaron, Si and Dave look back on Colchester United's pre-season campaign, discussing the standout performances, key talking points and whether Danny Cowley's side are ready for the start of the 2026/27 season.

The lads reflect on the summer as a whole, assess the new signings, and debate what we've learned from the friendlies heading into the opening competitive fixture.

Aaron also catches up with @leehudsoncomedy for the opposition view ahead of Colchester United's Carabao Cup tie against Southampton. What can U's fans expect from the Saints, and how seriously are they likely to take the competition?

The countdown is over... football is back!

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

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💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments

How would you rate Colchester United's pre-season out of 10? And what's your prediction for Southampton?

#ColU #SouthamptonFC #CarabaoCup #FootballPodcast #EFL #BeyondTheBarside

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PRE-SEASON CATCH UP

Aaron, Si and Dave sit down to discuss the latest goings-on at Colchester United as pre-season continues.

The panel chat about transfers, trialists, pre-season performances and the biggest talking points surrounding the U's as the countdown to the new campaign continues.

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

If you enjoy the podcast, please follow or subscribe on your platform and leave a rating or review — it genuinely helps the show grow and reach more U's fans.

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OPEN DAY SPECIAL

Aaron, Si and Dave look back on Colchester United's Open Day, reflecting on a fantastic day meeting supporters ahead of the new season.

The episode features interviews with U's fans, who share their predictions, favourite memories and thoughts on the season to come, alongside the lads' reflections on the event and everything that happened throughout the day.

A huge thank you to everyone who came over to chat with us and support Beyond The Barside.

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

If you enjoy the podcast, please follow or subscribe on your platform and leave a rating or review — it genuinely helps the show grow and reach more U's fans.

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NEW SIGNING REACTION | DIGBY, IHIONVIEN & HUNT

Aaron, Si and Dave react to Colchester United's latest transfer business, discussing the arrivals of Paul Digby and Bradley Ihionvien, along with Rob Hunt's return to the club.

The panel look at what each player brings to the squad, how they fit into Danny Cowley's plans, and what the latest business says about the direction of the club this summer.

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

If you enjoy the podcast, please follow or subscribe on your platform and leave a rating or review — it genuinely helps the show grow and reach more U's fans.

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BEYOND THE BARSIDE MEETS… THE BLUE & WHITE ARMY

Aaron and Si speak to Jon from the Blue & White Army, the Colchester United supporters' group dedicated to improving the matchday atmosphere through tifos, displays and fan initiatives.

Jon explains how the group was established, what goes into organising displays, the importance of supporter involvement, and the group's ambitions for the future.

If you'd like to learn more or get involved with the Blue & White Army, visit:

https://www.bluewhitearmy1937.com

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

If you enjoy the podcast, please follow or subscribe on your platform and leave a rating or review — it genuinely helps the show grow and reach more U's fans.

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EARLY WINDOW REACTION | RAGGETT, LEAKE & IANDOLO

Aaron, Si and Dave react to Colchester United's first business of the summer transfer window, discussing the arrivals of Sean Raggett and Jake Leake, along with the re-signing of Ellis Iandolo.

The panel assess what each player could bring to the squad and how the early recruitment fits into the club's plans for the new season.

Aaron also speaks to Matt from the New York Talk podcast to get a Rotherham United perspective on Sean Raggett and what supporters can expect from the experienced defender.

🎶 Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

If you enjoy the podcast, please follow or subscribe on your platform and leave a rating or review — it genuinely helps the show grow and reach more U's fans.

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Episode Description – 2026/27 Fixtures Released

The 2026/27 League Two fixture list is finally here!

Aaron is joined by Si and Dave to react to the U's schedule and pick out the key dates that could define Colchester United's season.

From an opening day trip to Accrington Stanley to the return of Arthur Read with York City, we discuss the biggest tests, potential banana skins and the fixtures we've already circled in the calendar.

Can the U's take points from the relegated sides? Which away day are we looking forward to the most? And where will Colchester's promotion hopes be won or lost?

We also begin the episode by paying tribute to former Colchester United Chairman Peter Heard, whose leadership helped guide the club from the Conference to the Championship and whose contribution to the U's will never be forgotten.

Let us know:

🔹 Which fixture are you most looking forward to?

🔹 Which game could define Colchester's season?

🔹 Where do you think the U's will finish?

Intro music by Sam Hopkins.

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