Back in 1983 the Colchester Youth section consisted of just two teams: Colts (U18s) run by John Fitzgibbon and Junior Colts (U16s) run by Bob Semple RIP. Easter tours were popular and the Club entered into the Bournemouth Festival over the long bank holiday.

Fancy dress was mandatory and both teams prepared well with outfits for each of the four days ...

Day 1: Vikings. Some players took this a bit too seriously and made real weapons in metalwork lessons. The authentic fights that ensued surprised many at service stations along the way and prompted a lot of current child safety legislation (above).

Day 2: Supermen. Ipswich colts were also at the event and wore funny hats. The more coordinated Colchester approach won the day both on and off the pitch (below).

Day 3: Frenchmen. It was quiet on Easter Sunday – until a group stumbled on ‘The Gay Sabre’ in full French fancy dress. What happened next on tour, stays on tour.

Day 4: Arabs. This attire would probably cause a few more problems today than it did in more innocent times. Colchester won all matches - including first class opponents such as Pontypool - and the hearts of the locals as the most social tourists by a very long way.

Sharp-eyed viewers might spot current players Roy Abrehart, Steve Docherty and, of course, Morph behind their disguises.