Born and Bred: Colchester United

Through to the final! Waa-waa-wee-waa!

Justice- Exciting times, let's not bottle this.

Colchester boss Paddy McLaughlin has claimed his side are 'the underdogs' ahead of the U's playoff final clash with Blackburn Rovers.

United take on Rovers this weekend as the club search for back-to-back promotions in order to achieve promotion to the Championship. Colchester will take on former Premier League champions Blackburn Rovers, who were relegated from the second tier last season and are in search of an immediate return.

Many have deemed Colchester favourites ahead of the game after their convincing 4-1 aggregate victory in the playoff semi finals to Luton Town, alongside the fact they narrowly missed out on automatic promotion to Bolton Wanderers, however manager Paddy McLaughlin disagrees.

'We've worked incredibly hard this season and I couldn't be prouder of the boys. At the start of the season we were predicted to be finishing around the relegation zone, fighting to stay in the division rather than be fighting to move up a division. I think we're a very modest club, we don't really have the resources a lot of clubs have in this league and so we've made use of what we have.

Blackburn are a difficult side to beat and have a very capable defence, it's seen them keep the most clean sheets in the league this year so we know that we will have to be playing our best in order to get a result. We have a very good goalscoring record, so I think it'll be interesting to see who comes out on top.'

McLaughlin further stated, 'If we can do the seemingly unthinkable and get another promotion I think it'll be brilliant for the club and also for the town. We're the underdogs definitely, Blackburn are a much bigger club historically and have a bigger budget to boot so we have a challenge on our hands, 100%.'

Mark Warburton's side outcame Walsall in extra-time in their semi final. Rovers trailed going into the second leg 2-1, however a Danny Williams goal in the 119th minute, when the game seemed destined for penalties allowed Blackburn to book their place against Colchester at Wembley.

ST: Welcome to the Sky Bet League One Playoff Final this afternoon. Two teams go head-to-head here at Wembley, Colchester United versus Blackburn Rovers. Only one can secure promotion to the Championship, who will it be? I am joined by former Blackburn and Colchester players, David Dunn and Kevin Lisbie, welcome gentlemen.

DD: Hello.

KL: A pleasure to be here.

ST: It's going to be an exciting afternoon here, but a very tense one at that. A quick recap of how these sides made it to Wembley... (a video plays showing highlights of both teams semi final games.) So, David, who do you think has it today?

DD: I'm not being bias here but for me it has to be Blackburn. Walsall were a difficult team to beat in the league season and for them to be able to overturn the first leg defeat shown real resiliance and that will definitely be on display again here. The Blackburn side just have more experience for me, a lot of the Colchester side are young lads and I think they'll be overwhelmed by the occasion, Simon for me.

KL: You see I have to disagree with you there David, I think Colchester shown why they made the playoffs with their performances against Luton, but also against Burton a few weeks ago too. Yes, of course the squad is young but I think they'll handle the occasion just fine. They've gone to the Etihad and got a result and they've been two minutes away from getting a result against Chelsea too in the space of what? 3 weeks or so? It shows that they have the capability to do well here this afternoon.

ST: It's been well documented that a lot of Blackburn fans won't be making the journey to Wembley this afternoon in protest of the owners, do you think this will have an impact?

DD: Yes it will. I can't blame the fans for making this decision, I think the way the owners have treated the club has been disgraceful. You just have to look at the downfall they've had since Venky's came in to understand why there are such demonstrations taking places.

KL: It's a real shame, Simon. I think the F.A. perhaps need to try and do more to stop these sort of owners coming into the game and sapping the life of the football clubs. It ruins the games for me and to see your club going through a bad time, like these Blackburn fans have, it must be hard to witness. However, it shouldn't take too much of the atmosphere away because there are still a lot of travelling Blackburn fans in attendance.

ST: Well can Blackburn take a step in the right direction once again or will Colchester and Paddy McLaughlin get back-to-back promotions to the Championship? It's nearly time to find out but let's look at the teams for this afternoon then...

Blackburn Rovers XI: Raya, Nyambe, Lenihan, Jones, Williams, Lowe, Palmer, Paton, Fredricks, Ameobi, Brereton.

Colchester United XI: Brill, Wilson, Digby, Ajayi, Kavanagh, Kasim, Dragomir, Dickenson, Wright, Nketiah, Fewster.

Blackburn Subs: Campbell, Thompson, Nelson, Serrant, Morris, Buckley, Smalley.

Colchester Subs: Walker, Eastman, Prosser, Murray, Le Fondre, Lapslie, O'Sullivan.

LR: Any immediate surprises for you, Kevin?

KL: Vlad Dragomir for me. I personally thought Thomas Lapslie would make a return to the side after a short injury but other than that it's pretty understandable, Blackburn have shuffled the defence around since Ekstrand is out injured which will be a big blow for them.

DD: Frank Jones is a suitable replacement, but definitely Blackburn will take time to adapt without Joel in the middle - he's been a huge part of that squad since making the switch in January.

ST: Club captain Luke Prosser benched once again... any thoughts on this one?

KL: It is a bit of a surprise, but he has been benched quite regularly towards the end of the season, I think Ajayi has been more than outstanding though. Whatever the reason be, I think McLaughlin knows what he's doing.

ST: We'll join Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp in the commentary booth now.

GN: We're about to begin here in the League One playoff final.... Colchester United against Blackburn Rovers. It'll be Blackburn to get us underway here... and we're underway here at Wembley!

JR: A long ball down the field to begin from Jason Lowe.

8' GN: Blackburn have it here with Lenihan as they look to build from the back... Mistake from Lenihan and Fewster has it now for Colchester, Nketiah is in the middle and he's found him! Colchester United lead here at Wembley just eight minutes into the game, a horrible mistake from Darragh Lenihan has gifted them the lead.

JR: A horrible, horrible moment for Lenihan there. He's totally lost concentration but full credit to Bradley Fewster who dispossesses him and plays a lovely ball into Eddie Nketiah, no way he's missing that. Great work from Colchester.

GN: It's still early days here but it's Colchester one Blackburn nil.

15' GN: Free-kick here for Blackburn, played short for Jason Lowe, out to Ryan Fredericks... great ball to the back post and it's Ben Brereton who's there to nod it in! A swift reply from Blackburn here and it's 1-1!

JR: Great ball in from Fredericks but you have to say, Sean Kavanagh has backed off far too much and gave him too much space to put that ball in and it's cost them here. Brereton has timed his run brilliantly and ensures the ball goes into the net. Just like that we're level.

GN: An exciting beginning to the payoff final here at Wembley!

21' GN: Brennan Dickenson down on this left flank now for Colchester as they look to retake the lead. Lenihan has gone flying in here... the referee has blown his whistle and is searching for a card here, it was a very rash challenge... RED CARD! It's been a nightmare final for the defender and Blackburn are down to ten!

JR: No way he's getting away with that, his studs are showing and he's lunged into the challenge as well. Definite red card.

34' JR: Colchester have had the majority of the ball, using the extra man to their advantage but they just can't seem to trouble David Raya at the moment.

45' GN: Well there you have it! After a bright start to the game as Eddie Nketiah gave Colchester the lead and Ben Brereton soon equalised, the game has slowly fizzled out. However the main talking point will be the red card for Blackburn defender Darragh Lenihan, a two-footed lunge saw him given his marching orders here at Wembley, but at the break it's Colchester one Blackburn one.

46' GN: We're underway in the second half here, both sides level at one apiece here.

56' GN: Blackburn are going to make the first change of the afternoon... Ben Paton is going to make way for the more creative John Buckley as Blackburn look to try and get something going in a rather slow second half so far.

61' JR: Thomas Lapslie is going to come on for Colchester, Vlad Dragomir is going to make way... Lapslie isn't known for his goals but he can certainly provide some cracking ones when he does find the goal...

75' GN: Blackburn have a throw-in in a decent area here. Taken by Williams, Ameobi now into Palmer.. cross blocked well by Lawrie Wilson but it's fell for Williams again, deep ball into the box only finds the hands of Dean Brill. Long kick downfield from the keeper, headed away but only as far as Lapslie, good ball out wide now for Dickenson... Fewster has made a run down the line, ball in and Nketiah has continued his run! NKETIAH HAS SCORED AGAIN FOR COLCHESTER AND IT'S 2-1 HERE WITH FIFTEEN MINUTES TO GO!

JR: Sublime by Eddie Nketiah here, yet again though it's the combination between him and Bradley Fewster that have ran defences rampant all year. A great run from Nketiah and a lovely finish, David Raya I think got his fingertip to it but he has absolutely no chance.

GN: Colchester have potentially sealed their place in the Championship next season with that goal... 2-1 here at Wembley.

80' GN: The Colchester fans sound their appreciation as Drey Wright comes off in place of Sean Murray, it's obvious that they're looking to hold onto this lead now.

82' JR: A second change of the afternoon for Blackburn, Sammy Ameobi makes way for Serrent, Blackburn desperately throwing men forward in these final eight minutes or so to try and find an equaliser...

88' GN: Long ball launched into the box here, but once again it's dealt with by Semi Ajayi and Colchester survive once again.

90' GN: Seconds remain here, Blackburn have it but Lapslie wins the balls brilliantly and just punts it up the pitch... THERE'S THE FULL TIME WHISTLE AND COLCHESTER UNITED HAVE WON PROMOTION TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP, BACK-TO-BACK PROMOTIONS FOR THEM AND THE CELEBRATIONS WILL GO ON LONG INTO THE NIGHT HERE I'M SURE!

JR: A brilliant display from them this afternoon, thoroughly deserved but you have to feel sorry for the Blackburn players, staff and fans.

GN: Blackburn will have to pick themselves up and dust themselves off for another season in League One, however Colchester can prepare for a year in the Championship next season - a truly remarkable story here at Wembley. Full time score: Colchester 2 Blackburn 1.

Congratulations on the promotion! If you can get 46 wins in the Championship next season, I reckon you're in with a shot at promotion!

Congratulations on promotion man! A long summer ahead for the fans who'll be desperate to see your Championship campaign play out, but a massive summer for you! No doubt you have confidence in your side to do well in the second tier, but reinforcements will always help!

Justice- Thanks mate, 46 wins should just about do it I think.

Griffin- A few changes will have to be made but we're still very limited in the window. More will be revealed soon!

What a game! Winning at Wembley must be amazing.

Stoke getting relegated, I never thought I'd see the day. :'(

De Magere- It really is, especially when it means something like gaining promotion.

Justice- A sad day for the Premier League, it truly is.

Club announce retained list.

A whole host of players will be departing the Weston Homes Community Stadium this Summer, after the club opted against offering them new deals.

There is to be a large overhaul of the squad as eleven first team players are released alongside youth players. Captain Luke Prosser is amongst the list of names, Luke joined the club last season and oversaw our two back-to-back promotions, making 72 appearances for the club.

Paddy McLaughlin stated, "It's a shame to release our club captain and someone who has made such a great impact at the club in his short two year stay. However, Luke felt he wouldn't be able to make the step up and is beginning to consider his options ahead of the new season, I wish him all the best."

A large turnover of players there! And FM giving Arsenal fans their only sniff of major silverware there

Griffin- We needed to I think, a lot of the players just wouldn't cut it in the Championship. Shots at Arsenal