The 1996–97 season was Colchester United's fifth consecutive season in the fourth tier of English football. They finished as runners-up in the Auto Windscreens Shield after losing 4-3 on penalties to Carlisle United.

A fresh looking Layer Road welcomed in the 1996/7 season with the Clock End all-seated and covered.

Mark Kinsella finally got the move his talents deserved. A bargain £150,000 took him to Charlton and there was early League Cup cheer when U's turned a 3-2 deficit with a 3-1 victory at First Division West Bromwich Albion. It was all the more noteworthy as striker Steve Whitton played the entire second half in goal.

Paul Buckle scored Colchester's first ever Golden Goal against Millwall in the Auto Windscreen Shield on 9 January 1997 and wins over Brentford and Northampton set up a Southern Final with Peterborough. All looked lost with a 2-0 first leg defeat but Paul Abrahams' glorious Golden Goal sent United to Wembley.

Unfortunately six defeats in eight League games had seen United slip to 13th. Manager Steve Wignall declared: "I won't be happy until I have guided this club to promotion. All I ask of the fans is trust me with your club."

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