Former defender set to lead out Shrimpers.
Much like having the family over for Christmas, the Boxing Day match against Southend United will see a number of familiar faces return to the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
A host of ex-U's are now turning out for our Essex rivals, including John White, David Mooney, Cian Bolger, Ben Coker and Anthony Wordsworth.
John now wears the captain's armband down at Roots Hall and, after spending his formative years at Colchester United, he's now itching to get back to north Essex to come up against his former side.
"I've only been back to the stadium once when there's been a game on, so it will be great to come back and play," he told the official website.
"We've been looking forward to it since day one, as soon as the fixtures came out back in June.
"It's kind of crept up on everyone – it seemed so far away at first but it’s here now and it's going to be a special one and fantastic atmosphere."
John played 65 of his Colchester United games at the club's current stadium before switching to the other end of the county in the summer of 2013 and he is excited about the prospect of a Boxing Day return, with members of his family watching from the stands.
"It will be a bit unusual to go in the other changing room and to be the enemy as such," he added.
"It's something that I've looked forward to since I left and I am excited more than anything to get into it and get playing.
"The team are in good form and I can’t complain with where we are. The win on Friday against Bury was a great one and sets us up nicely for a good Christmas.
"With that result behind us, it's a great time to come to Colchester, but it’s swings and roundabouts as Colchester will be lifted by the new manager. If Colchester get the right result, then it springs them into the next lot of fixtures nicely.