- Colchester United F.C.
-
Colchester United 
Full name Colchester United Football Club Nickname(s) The U's Founded 1937 Ground Colchester Community Stadium
(Capacity: 10,084)Chairman Robbie Cowling Manager John Ward League League One 2010–11 League One, 10th 
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
Current seasonColchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910.
Colchester United are perhaps most famous for beating Don Revie's Leeds United 3–2 in the 5th round of the FA Cup in 1971. Their highest ever league finish was achieved in 2006–07, when they ended the season in 10th place in the Championship, above East Anglian rivals Ipswich Town, Norwich City and also Essex rivals Southend United while having the division's lowest attendance.
Contents
History
Main article: History of Colchester United F.C.Colchester Town were the town's main club in the early 20th century and were the original tenants of Layer Road. In 1935 they joined the Eastern Counties League, but their poor performances in the league convinced supporters that the club should turn professional like nearby Ipswich Town.[1] Officials at the club were against the idea, resulting in a new professional club, Colchester United, being formed in March 1937, which would also play at Layer Road. United joined the Southern League and crowds at Town matches quickly dwindled.[1] In December United formed a reserve team, signing many Town players. As a result of this and financial problems (the club were £300 in debt), Town folded in the same month.[1][2]
In the 1947-48 season Colchester, then in the Southern League, produced one of the most notable FA Cup runs by a non-league side, beating fellow-non-league side Banbury Spencer in the First Round before beating league clubs Wrexham, Huddersfield and Bradford Park Avenue. They finally fell to Blackpool in the fifth round.
United went from strength to strength, and they were elected to the Football League in 1950. They spent most of the 50s, 60s and 70s either in the third or fourth tiers before spending the 80s in the fourth tier. However the club got into financial problems towards the end of the 80s and lost their league status for two seasons from relegation in 1990 until 1992, when they won a non-league double by collecting the Conference title and the FA Trophy. They then finished around mid table in the fourth tier for the next 3 seasons before reaching the play-offs in 1995–96 but losing in the semis to Plymouth Argyle.
In the 1996–97 season Colchester were runners up in the Football League Trophy and just missed out on the play-offs by 1 point. But in 1997–98, they got themselves promoted by winning the play-offs to the third tier. They then consolidated their position in that division before achieving promotion in 2005–06 to the second tier of English football, the Championship, by finishing in second place in League One, just behind local rivals Southend United. They also had a good FA Cup run that season before losing in the 5th round to Chelsea despite taking the lead. After a slow start to the 2006–07 season, they soon entered the higher reaches of the division and there was even talk of a challenge for promotion to the Premier League, before they finished tenth in the final table, their highest ever placing. The following season Colchester finished bottom of the Championship with 38 points and were relegated back to League One, where they currently compete.
Colours and badge
Period Kit Manufacturer Shirt Sponsor (Home) Shirt Sponsor (Away) 1975–1979 Umbro None 1979–1980 Adidas 1980–1982 Adidas Royal London Insurance 1982–1986 Le Coq Sportif 1986–1987 None None 1987–1988 Olympic Norcross Estates 1988–1990 Spall 1990–1991 Scoreline Holimarine 1991–1992 Ribero Colchester Hippodrome 1992–1993 The Sun 1993–1994 Spall Strovers 1994–1995 SGR Colchester 1995–1996 Vandanel 1996–1997 Goldstar Fabrications 1997–1999 Patrick Guardian Direct 1999–2000 East Anglian Daily Times Ashby's Tea & Coffee 2000–2002 Strike Force JobServe Ridley's Brewery 2002–2004 Tiptree Jam 2004–2005 Admiral ICS Triplex 2005–2006 Easy-Skip 188trades.com 2006–2007 Diadora MutualPoints.com Smart Energy 2007–2008 Haart 2008–2009 Puma Weston Homes 2009–2010 JobServe 2010–2012 Reader Offers Limited Colchester United play in the same blue and white stripes as Colchester Town originally did, and chose the nickname "The U's" to distinguish themselves from the older club, who had been known as "The Oystermen", before they folded. The town crest was worn on United kits for the first time in the 1947-48 season, which dates back to a royal charter granted by Henry V in 1413.
The traditional shirts were changed to the newly fashionable candy stripes: white on blue in 1967 and blue on white in 1968. In 1969, when stripes of any kind were out of favour, the club adopted a strip modelled on that worn by Chelsea, with blue shirts and shorts trimmed in white together with white socks. The crest was also modified the following season and now featured a white background.
For the 1972-73 season the management decided to relaunch the club with a new badge (a Roman eagle standard), new nickname (The Eagles) and an all-white kit worn with red boots. The season was a disaster - the manager resigned and Colchester had to apply for re-election. Traditional stripes were reinstated in 1973 (without a crest of any kind) worn with blue shorts, and in 1979, the club adopted the popular striped Adidas shirt of the period, on which the stripes on the body echoed the trademarked three-stripe trim. These shirts were adorned with a simple monogramme.
Another version of the roman eagle crest was introduced in 1993 and used for two seasons. The 1994-95 version was white and placed against a blue stripe. In 1995 the crest was modified to place the eagle (now in gold) against a shield in Colchester's traditional stiped motif. This proved more durable and popular than its predecessors and was used until 2004. An amended (and the current) crest was introduced in 2004 with a modernised look.[3]
Kit manufacturers
- 1975–1979: Umbro
- 1979–1982: Adidas
- 1982–1986: Le Coq Sportif
- 1986–1987: None
- 1987–1988: Olympic
- 1988–1990: Spall
- 1990–1991: Scoreline
- 1991–1993: Ribero
- 1993–1995: Spall
- 1995–1997: Vandanel
- 1997–2000: Patrick
- 2000–2004: Strike Force
- 2004–2006: Admiral
- 2006–2008: Diadora
- 2008–Present: Puma[4]
Stadium
Main articles: Layer Road and Colchester Community StadiumColchester United formed in 1937 and took over Layer Road from the recently defunct Colchester Town. That remained their home until 2008. At its closure, the ground had a capacity of 6,340, though it had previously been much higher, with a record attendance of 19,072.
In 2000, Colchester announced plans to move to a new 10,000 capacity all-seater community stadium at Cuckoo Farm, which were given the go-ahead by Colchester Borough Council on November 13, 2006. Construction of the stadium, funded by the club but owned by the local council, started in June 2007, and the stadium opened at the start of the 2008–09 season. Colchester's biggest attendance at the stadium of 10,064 was set at a League One match against Norwich City on 16 January 2010.
Although generally known as the Colchester Community stadium, and sometimes as Cuckoo Farm, it is officially called, under a ten year sponsorship deal, the Weston Homes Community Stadium.[5]
Rivalries
Main articles: Essex derby and Pride of AngliaColchester's main rivalry is with fellow Essex side Southend United, with whom they contest the Essex derby. The competitive head-to-head record is 29 wins to Southend, 25 wins for Colchester and 17 draws.[6]
Colchester United also have a rivalry with Ipswich Town, their geographically closest league opponents, whom they met for the first time in a league fixture for almost half a century in the 2006–07 season. A 1–0 win at home, followed by a 3–2 defeat away for Colchester saw Ipswich take their overall competitive record against Colchester to 10 wins, 4 losses with 4 draws.[7]
In the 2009–10 season, a rivalry with Norwich City flared up after Colchester manager Paul Lambert first led the U's to a 7-1 victory at Norwich, and then ten days later defected to the canaries.
By finishing above both Ipswich & Norwich in the 2006–07 season, Colchester United took the "Pride of Anglia" title for the first time.
League One side Wycombe Wanderers are also fierce rivals to Colchester United, dating back to both clubs' latter years in the Conference.[8] Whilst not a local derby, the rivalry goes back to the 1985–86 season, when Wycombe defeated Colchester 2–0 in an FA Cup tie marred by crowd trouble at Loakes Park.
Colchester and Wycombe were also involved in a race for the Conference title throughout the 1991–92 season, during which Colchester defeated Wycombe 2–1 at Adams Park with an injury-time wind-assisted winner from their goalkeeper, Scott Barrett. Another controversial meeting was during the 1998–99 season. Relegation-threatened Wycombe were leading Colchester 2–1 at Adams Park until the sixth minute of stoppage time, when Colchester were awarded, and converted, an equalising penalty. However, due to lack of recent games between the two sides, Colchester United fans consider Ipswich and Southend bigger rivals.
Players
- As of 10 August 2011[9]
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
No. Position Player 1 
GK Ben Williams 2 
DF Tom Aldred 3 DF Michael Rose 4 
DF Magnus Okuonghae 5 DF Pat Baldwin 6 DF Matt Heath 7 MF Ashley Vincent 8 
MF John-Joe O'Toole 9 FW Steven Gillespie 10 MF Kemal Izzet (captain) 12 GK Mark Cousins 14 MF Andrew Bond 15 FW Kayode Odejayi No. Position Player 16 MF Ian Henderson 18 DF Tom Eastman 19 
FW Casey Thomas (on loan from Swansea City) 20 DF Brian Wilson 22 MF Anthony Wordsworth 23 MF Lloyd James 24 DF Ben Coker 25 DF John White 27 MF Karl Duguid 30 FW Craig Arnott 31 DF Bradley Hamilton 32 MF Jordan Sanderson Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
No. Position Player 34 DF Thomas Bender (at Accrington Stanley) No. Position Player 35 GK Carl Pentney (at Hayes & Yeading) Under 18s
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
No. Position Player GK Shaun Phillips DF Matthew Brown 
DF Jack Folan DF Sean O'Sullivan DF Matthew Redgrave MF Alex Gilbey MF Ryan Melaugh No. Position Player MF Tosin Olufemi MF Augustin Panga-Mafuta MF Billy Roast MF Mason Stewart FW Toby Morris FW Nnamdi Nwachuku FW Drey Wright Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
No. Position Player DF Connor Cranmer (at Woodbridge) FW Ross Gilfedder (at Woodbridge) No. Position Player FW Freddie Ladapo (at Maldon & Tiptree) Achievements
Honours
League honours
- Football League One
- Runners-up 2005–06
- Football League Third Division
- Playoff Winners 1997–98
- Football League Fourth Division
- Runners-up 1961–62
- Football Conference
- Champions 1991–92
- Runners-up 1990–91
- Southern Football League
- Champions 1938–39
- Runners-up 1949–50
Cup honours
- Football League Trophy
- Runners-up 1996–97
- FA Trophy
- Winners 1991–92
- Watney Cup
- Winners 1971–72
- Essex Senior Cup
- Winners 2009–10
- Southern League Cup
- Winners 1939–40, 1949–50
- Essex Senior League Challenge Cup
- Winners 1974–75 (Colchester United 'A')
Reserves honours
- Eastern Counties Football League
- Champions 1938–39, 1956–57, 1958–59
- Eastern Counties Football League Cup
- Winners 1946–47, 1947–48, 1952–53, 1957–58
Player awards
A full list of Colchester United seasons can be found here: List of Colchester United F.C. seasons
A full list of Colchester United records and statistics can be found here: List of Colchester United F.C. records and statistics* Season in progress.
Records
Club records
- Record attendance: Layer Road, 19,042 (vs. Reading, 1948- abandoned due to fog), Weston Homes Community Stadium, 10,064 (vs. Norwich City, 2010)
- Record league victory: 9-1 (vs. Bradford City, 1961)
- Record cup victory: 9-1 (vs. Leamington, 2005)
- Record league defeat: 0-8 (vs. Leyton Orient, 1989)
- Record cup defeat: 0-7 (vs. Preston North End, 2010)
- Most points in a season (2 for a win): 60, 1973/74
- Most points in a season (3 for a win): 81, 1982/83
Player records
- Highest fee paid: Steven Gillespie, £400,000 in 2008 from Cheltenham Town
- Highest fee received: Greg Halford, £2,500,000 in 2007 to Reading
- Most appearances (all competitions): Micky Cook, 700 (1969–1984)
- Most appearances (league): Micky Cook, 613 (1969–1984)
- Most league goals: Martyn King, 131 (1959–1965)
- Most league goals by one player in a season: Bobby Hunt, 37 (1961/62)
- Most league goals by one player in a game: Chris Iwelumo, 4 (vs. Hull City, 2006), Bobby Hunt, 4 (vs. Doncaster Rovers, 1962 & vs. Bradford City, 1961), Martyn King, 4 (vs. Bradford City, 1961)
- Youngest league player: Lindsay Smith, 16 years 214 days (vs. Grimsby Town, 1971)
- Most capped player (whilst at the club): Chris Coyne, 7 (Australia)
- Most capped player (whole career): Craig Forrest, 56 (Canada)
Notable former players
The following players have been inducted into Colchester United's Hall of Fame for being one of "...those who have made a difference to the club's history."[14][15] The whole of the team that beat Leeds United in 1971 are included,[16] and in addition, Peter Wright was awarded the title of "U's Player of the Century".[17]
A list of notable former players can be found here: List of Colchester United F.C. players
Year Inducted Pos. Player Name Years with Club Apps. Goals Notes 2007 DF Micky Cook1969–1984 700 24 Club record appearance holder 2007 DF Tony English1985–1996 515 58 2007 DF Brian Hall1965–1972 364 36 2007 MF Mark Kinsella1989–1996 281 42 2007 FW Peter Wright1951–1964 452 95 Voted 'Player of the Century' in 2000 2008 FW Tony Adcock1981–1987
1995–1998386 149 Club record goalscorer 2008 FW Bobby Hunt1960–1964 162 90 2008 FW Vic Keeble1947–1952 129 84 2008 FW Martyn King1956–1964 230 140 Club record league goalscorer 2008 DF Reg Stewart1949–1957 317 2 2009 DF Bobby Cram1970–1972 116 4 Member of the team that beat Leeds in 1971 2009 FW Ray Crawford1970–1971 56 31 Member of the team that beat Leeds in 1971 2009 DF Brian Garvey1970–1972 93 2 Member of the team that beat Leeds in 1971 2009 FW Brian Gibbs1968–1972 179 41 Member of the team that beat Leeds in 1971 2009 DF John Gilchrist1970–1972 56 2 Member of the team that beat Leeds in 1971 2009 DF John Kurila1970–1971 65 4 Member of the team that beat Leeds in 1971 2009 MF Brian Lewis1970–1972 59 26 Member of the team that beat Leeds in 1971 2009 FW Mick Mahon1970–1973 158 33 Member of the team that beat Leeds in 1971 2009 FW Dave Simmons1970–1973 71 19 Member of the team that beat Leeds in 1971 2009 GK Graham Smith1969–1971 115 0 Member of the team that beat Leeds in 1971 2010 GK Percy Ames1955–1965 422 0 2010 DF Mick Packer1973–1983 393 22 2010 GK Mike Walker1973–1983 524 0 2011 FW Bob Curry1946–1951 206 105 2011 MF Kemal Izzet2001– 423 21 Year Inducted - Manager Name Years with Club - - Notes 2007 Dick Graham1968–1972 Manager of the team that beat Leeds in 1971 Managers
The below list indicates Colchester United managers since 1937.[18][19]
Years with Club Name P W D L GF GA GD Win % Notes 1937-1939 Ted Davis128 80 17 31 327 155 +172 62.5% Colchester United's first ever manager 1945-1946 Syd Fieldus30 10 7 13 49 69 -20 33.3% 1946-1948 Ted Fenton88 48 17 23 214 135 +79 54.5% 1948-1953 Jimmy Allen249 108 59 82 433 380 +53 43.4% 1953-1955 Jack Butler77 16 19 42 85 138 -53 20.8% 1955-1963 Benny Fenton427 166 107 154 736 733 +3 38.9% 1963-1968 Neil Franklin234 72 62 100 313 383 -70 30.8% 1968-1972 Dick Graham216 93 51 72 322 288 +34 43.1% 1972 Dennis Mochan5 0 2 3 2 8 -6 0.0% Caretaker manager 1972-1975 Jim Smith140 55 36 49 198 167 +31 39.3% 1975-1982 Bobby Roberts (footballer)375 143 108 124 504 451 +53 38.1% 1982-1983 
Allan Hunter36 17 7 12 51 39 +12 47.2% 1983-1986 Cyril Lea173 71 46 56 294 243 +51 41.0% 1986-1987 Mike Walker83 37 16 30 120 102 +18 44.6% 1987-1988 Roger Brown48 16 12 20 46 68 -22 33.3% 1988-1989
1989-1990 Steve Foley21 7 5 9 33 34 -1 33.3% Caretaker manager 1989 Jock Wallace52 12 16 24 63 87 -24 23.1% 1990 Mick Mills25 8 3 14 27 37 -10 32.0% 1990-1991 Ian Atkins51 30 11 10 80 46 +34 58.8% 1991-1994 Roy McDonough155 69 33 53 271 226 +45 44.5% 1994 George Burley26 12 6 8 41 38 +3 46.2% 1994-1995 Dale Roberts5 1 1 3 5 7 -2 20.0% Caretaker manager 1995-1999 Steve Wignall218 81 64 73 289 283 +6 37.2% 1999 Mick Wadsworth24 7 7 10 28 41 -13 29.2% 1999-2003 Steve Whitton181 52 45 84 224 290 -66 28.7% Includes time as caretaker 2003-2006 Phil Parkinson187 80 52 55 256 203 +53 42.8% 2006-2008 Geraint Williams109 33 30 46 150 165 -15 30.3% Includes time as caretaker 2008 Kit Symons5 2 0 3 8 9 -1 40.0% Caretaker manager 2008-2009 Paul Lambert42 19 7 16 55 43 +12 45.2% 2009 Joe Dunne4 1 1 2 5 6 -1 25.0% Caretaker manager 2009-2010 Aidy Boothroyd44 19 12 13 56 52 +4 43.2% 2010- John Ward68 Current manager Club officials
Board and Directors[20]
- Chairman – Robbie Cowling
- Vice Chairman – Richard Cowling
- Directors – John Cowling, Peter Powell, Gary White
- Associate Directors – John Worsp, Terry Sutton
- Life President – P.J. Heard
Management Team
- Manager – John Ward
- Assistant Manager – Joe Dunne
- Sports Scientist – David Carolan
- First Team Physio – Tony Flynn
- Head of Youth – Tony Humes
- Early Years Development Manager – Dmitri Halajko
- Development Coach – Richard Hall
- Goalkeeper Coach – Ademola Bankole
- Performance Anaylst – Jonathan Duckett
- Club Doctor – Dr. Stuart Rudge
See also
- History of Colchester United F.C.
- List of Colchester United F.C. players
- List of Colchester United F.C. records and statistics
- List of Colchester United F.C. seasons
References
- ^ a b c Blakeman, M (2010) The Official History of the Eastern Counties Football League 1935-2010, Volume II ISBN 9781908037022
- ^ Colchester Town at the Football Club History Database
- ^ "Colchester United - Historical Football Kits". Historical Football Kits. http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Colchester_United/Colchester_United.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-21.
- ^ "Club and Competition Sponsors". coludaybyday.co.uk. http://www.coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Club%20Stats/LeagueSponsors.html. Retrieved 2011-08-15.
- ^ Colchester reveal ground sponsors
- ^ All time results between Colchester United and Southend United Soccerbase
- ^ All time results between Ipswich Town and Colchester United Soccerbase
- ^ Football Rivalries: The Complete Results Bluebird to the Bone
- ^ "Profiles". Colchester United F.C.. http://www.cu-fc.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10424,00.html. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
- ^ "Current Centre of Excellence Players". cu-fc.com. http://www.cu-fc.com/page/Youth/0,,10424~1822109,00.html. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ "Honours". Coludata. http://www.coludata.co.uk/honours.asp. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ "Player awards". Coludata. http://www.coludata.co.uk/playerawards.asp. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ "Colchester United Records". Statto. http://www.statto.com/football/teams/colchester-united/records. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ "Hall of Fame – Rules and Info". www.cu-fc.co.uk. http://www.cu-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/HallOfFame/0,,10424~1015971,00.html. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
- ^ "Hall of Fame". Coludaybyday. http://www.coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayerHallOfFame.html. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ "Leeds Cup Team Remembered". Colchester United F.C.. http://www.cu-fc.com/page/HallOfFame/0,,10424~1612315,00.html. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
- ^ "Former Players Dinner Announced". www.cu-fc.co.uk. http://www.cu-fc.com/page/Events/0,,10424~1586983,00.html. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
- ^ "Managerial Record". Coludaybyday. http://www.coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Club%20Stats/ManagerialRecord.html. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ "Manager history". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=612&comp_id=3#teamTabs=managers. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ "Club Info: Who's Who". cu-fc.com. http://www.cu-fc.com/page/ClubInfo/0,,10424~1017827,00.html. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
External links
- Official website
- Colchester United Community Sports Trust
- Colchester United at the Football Club History Database
- Colchester United Reserves at the Football Club History Database
- Colchester United "A" at the Football Club History Database
Colchester United Football Club Managers ManagersPlayers 100+ AppearancesRivalries Essex derby · Pride of AngliaSeasons 1937-38 • 1938-39 • 1939-40 • 1945-46 • 1946-47 • 1947-48 • 1948-49 • 1949-50 • 1950-51 • 1951-52 • 1952-53 • 1953-54 • 1954-55 • 1955-56 • 1956-57 • 1957-58 • 1958-59 • 1959-60 • 1960-61 • 1961-62 • 1962-63 • 1963-64 • 1964-65 • 1965-66 • 1966-67 • 1967-68 • 1968-69 • 1969-70 • 1970-71 • 1971-72 • 1972-73 • 1973-74 • 1974-75 • 1975-76 • 1976-77 • 1977-78 • 1978-79 • 1979-80 • 1980-81 • 1981-83 • 1982-83 • 1983-84 • 1984-85 • 1985-86 • 1986-87 • 1987-88 • 1988-89 • 1989-90 • 1990-91 • 1991-92 • 1992-93 • 1993-94 • 1994-95 • 1995-96 • 1996-97 • 1997-98 • 1998-99 • 1999-2000 • 2000-01 • 2001-02 • 2002-03 • 2003-04 • 2004-05 • 2005-06 • 2006-07 • 2007-08 • 2008-09 • 2009-10 • 2010–11 • CurrentStadiums Statistics Club History · Records and statistics2011–12 Football League One Bournemouth · Brentford · Bury · Carlisle United · Charlton Athletic · Chesterfield · Colchester United · Exeter City · Hartlepool United · Huddersfield Town · Leyton Orient · Milton Keynes Dons · Notts County · Oldham Athletic · Preston North End · Rochdale · Scunthorpe United · Sheffield United · Sheffield Wednesday · Stevenage · Tranmere Rovers · Walsall · Wycombe Wanderers · Yeovil TownCategories:- Colchester
- Colchester United F.C.
- English football clubs
- Essex football clubs
- Football League clubs
- Association football clubs established in 1937
- 1937 establishments in England
- Southern Football League clubs
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