The 2011–12 season was Colchester United's 70th season in their history and fourth successive season in the third tier of English football, League One. Alongside competing in the League One, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Football League Trophy. In the cups, Colchester suffered early exits in the League Cup and Football League Trophy to Wycombe Wanderers and Barnet respectively, while they reached the second round of the FA Cup but were beaten by Swindon Town.