Colchester United Football Club is an
EnglishEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football team based in the town of
ColchesterColchester is a town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001 it had a population of 104,390...
,
EssexEssex is a county in the East of England region of the United Kingdom. The county town of Essex is Chelmsford.-History:In pre-Roman Britain the territories of Suffolk and Essex were home to the Trinovantes tribe, which had grown wealthy through intensive trade with the Roman Empire, contemporary...
.
The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old
Layer RoadLayer Road was a Football League stadium in Colchester, England. It was only used for football matches and was the home ground of Colchester United before being replaced by the Colchester Community Stadium. The stadium held spectators and was built in 1907, originally for use by Colchester Town...
home with now defunct side
Colchester TownColchester Town Football Club were an amateur team formed in 1867 as The Oystermen. They played their home games at Cambridge Road in Colchester. During this time they played in blue shirts and white shorts.-History:...
who had previously used the ground from 1910. Colchester United play in the Weston Homes Community Stadium in the north of the town.
Colchester United are perhaps most famous for beating
Don RevieDonald George 'Don' Revie, OBE, , was a footballer for Leicester City, Hull City, Sunderland, Manchester City and Leeds United as a deep-lying centre forward...
's
Leeds UnitedLeeds United Association Football Club , commonly referred to as simply Leeds United, or informally Leeds, are an English professional football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire...
3–2 in the 5th round of the
FA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association. The name "FA Cup" usually refers to the English men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held...
in
1971The 1970-71 season was the 91st season of competitive football in England.the 1970–71 season marking a watershed for sponsorship in English football...
. Their highest ever league finish was achieved in
2006–07The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.- Overview :* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
, when they ended the season in 10th place in the Championship whilst having the division's lowest attendance.
Colchester United LadiesColchester United Ladies Football Club are an English ladies football team based in Colchester, Essex and are affiliated to Colchester United F.C.-History:The club was founded in 1992 under the name of Colchester Royals...
are a very successful part of the club, having won promotion to the
FA Women's Premier League Southern DivisionThe FA Women's Premier League Southern Division is a league in the second level in the women's football pyramid in England, along with the Northern division. These two divisions are below the National Division....
in
2006-07The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.- Overview :* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
.
History
Colchester TownColchester Town Football Club were an amateur team formed in 1867 as The Oystermen. They played their home games at Cambridge Road in Colchester. During this time they played in blue shirts and white shorts.-History:...
, nicknamed 'The Oystermen', were the original local side, established in 1867 and playing at
Layer RoadLayer Road was a Football League stadium in Colchester, England. It was only used for football matches and was the home ground of Colchester United before being replaced by the Colchester Community Stadium. The stadium held spectators and was built in 1907, originally for use by Colchester Town...
from 1909 until 1937, when they were dissolved. The stadium was originally owned by the army, who still have a strong presence in the town, until it was purchased by the club in 1919. Shortly before Town folded, Colchester United was set up. The owners had intended to run both teams, one professional and one amateur, under the same umbrella but the Essex County FA ruled that both teams could not be run under one set of rules, and so Town were wound down.
In the 1947/48 season Colchester, then in the Southern League, produced one of the most notable F.A. Cup runs by a non-league side, beating fellow-non-league side
Banbury SpencerBanbury United is a football club based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, who play in the Southern League Premier Division. They are nicknamed The Puritans and they play their home matches at the Spencer Stadium...
in the First Round before beating league clubs Wrexham, Huddersfield and
Bradford Park AvenueBradford Association Football Club is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
. They finally fell to
BlackpoolBlackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 and located in the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They have been a member of the Football League continuously since 1900...
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 titleThe Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, but most of them are semi-professional...
and the
Football TrophyThe Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
. They then finished around mid table in the fourth tier for the next 3 seasons before reaching the play-offs in
1995-96- Premiership :Newcastle United were 12 points clear at the top of Manchester United, but Alex Ferguson's relatively young and inexperienced side overhauled them during the second half of the season to win the title....
but losing in the semis to
Plymouth ArgylePlymouth Argyle Football Club , commonly known as Argyle, or the Pilgrims, is an English professional football club and is one of only two clubs in the Football League to play in a principally green home strip...
.
In the
1996-97- Premier League :Manchester United won their second consecutive title, despite a spell in the autumn where they lost three games and conceded 13 goals...
season Colchester were runners up in the
Football League TrophyThe Football League Trophy is the generic name of an association football competition for clubs in the two lower divisions of The Football League and, in some seasons, the leading sides in the Conference National...
and just missed out on the play-offs by 1 point. But in
1997-98The 1997-1998 season was the 118th season of competitive football in England.-Premier League:Arsenal overhauled Manchester United's lead during the final weeks of the season to win the Premiership title...
, 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
2005–06The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
to the second tier of English football, the
ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League.The Football League Championship was introduced for the 2004–05 season,...
, by finishing in second place in League One. They also had a good
FA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association. The name "FA Cup" usually refers to the English men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held...
run that season before losing in the 5th round to Chelsea despite taking the lead. After a slow start to the
2006-07The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.- Overview :* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
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 seasonThe 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
Colchester finished bottom of the Championship with 38 points and were relegated back to League One. They went on to finish 12th in that league in 2008-09.
Stadium
Colchester United formed in 1937 and took over
Layer RoadLayer Road was a Football League stadium in Colchester, England. It was only used for football matches and was the home ground of Colchester United before being replaced by the Colchester Community Stadium. The stadium held spectators and was built in 1907, originally for use by Colchester Town...
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 9,559 was set at a League One match against Leeds United on 4 April 2009.
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.
Supporters
Notable persons known to be Colchester United fans include
Steve LamacqSteve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" , is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Bournemouth, which was then in Hampshire...
,
Bob RussellRobert Edward Russell, known as Bob Russell, is a British politician. He has been a Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Colchester since 1997 . He was the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman on Culture, Media and Sport 2002-2005, but the portfolio is now held by Don Foster...
MPA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a parliament. In many countries the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a unique title, such as senate, and thus also have unique titles for its members, such as senators. Members of...
, England opening batsman
Alastair CookAlastair Nathan Cook is an international cricketer of English and Welsh descent. He is a left-handed opening batsman who currently plays county cricket for Essex and Test cricket for England. Cook played for Essex Academy and quickly made his debut for the first XI in 2003...
and the bands
Absent KidAbsent Kid are a British indie rock band.- History :Brothers Martin and Richard Williams and bassist Mark Butters grew up in the small coastal town of West Mersea. The name Absent Kid was inspired by a character in the cartoon South Park....
and
Special Duties-History:Special Duties was created in October 1977 by schoolfellows Steve Green , Steve Norris and Nigel Baker. They were punks at school, but the idea of forming their own band came when they saw The Adverts in Colchester. The fact that the three schoolboys couldn't play and didn't own any...
.
Rivalries
Colchester's main rivalry is with fellow
EssexEssex is a county in the East of England region of the United Kingdom. The county town of Essex is Chelmsford.-History:In pre-Roman Britain the territories of Suffolk and Essex were home to the Trinovantes tribe, which had grown wealthy through intensive trade with the Roman Empire, contemporary...
side
Southend UnitedSouthend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who currently play in League One of the English Football League...
, with whom they contest the
Essex derbyThe Essex derby is the football derby between the two major Football League teams in the English county of Essex – Colchester United and Southend United...
. The competitive head-to-head record is 29 wins to Southend, 23 wins for Colchester and 17 draws.
Colchester United also have a rivalry with
Ipswich TownIpswich Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Ipswich, Suffolk...
, 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. 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 WanderersWycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, currently playing in Football League One. The club's official nickname is "The Chairboys", and they play in Cambridge and Oxford blue quarters...
are also fierce rivals to Colchester United, dating back to both clubs' latter years in the
ConferenceConference National is the top division of the Football Conference. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. 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 ParkLoakes Park was the home of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club from 1895 to 1990. It was located next to Wycombe General Hospital in the centre of High Wycombe, UK...
.
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 BarrettScott Barrett is a professor of natural resource economics at Columbia University. There, he holds the title of Lenfest Professor of Natural Resource Economics at the School of International and Public Affairs and The Earth Institute....
.
Another controversial meeting was during the 1998–99 season. Relegation-threatened Wycombe were leading Colchester 2–1 at Adams Park until the ninth 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.
Records
Colchester's record wins were 9-1 against
Bradford CityBradford City Association Football Club is an English football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two. The club plays home games at Valley Parade, named the Coral Windows Stadium under sponsorship naming rights...
in 1961 and
Leamington F.C.Leamington Football Club is the main football club in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England, currently playing in the Southern Football League Premier Division....
in 2005. Their record defeat was 0-8 against Leyton Orient in 1988. Their record attendance at Layer Road was 19072 against
ReadingReading Football Club is an association football club, based in the English town of Reading, in Berkshire, who play in the The Championship. Formed in 1871 the club is one of the oldest teams in England, but did not join the Football League until 1920, and never played in the top tier of English...
Current squad
Out on loan
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." In addition, Peter Wright was awarded the title of "U's Player of the Century".
- Peter Wright
- Micky Cook
- Brian Hall
- Tony English
Tony English played 345 league games and 45 cup games as a defender for Colchester United between 1984 and 1996, captaining the side to a Conference and FA Trophy double. Born in Luton, as a junior he played for Coventry City before joining the Colchester United youth setup and then progressing to...
- Mark Kinsella
Mark Anthony Kinsella is an Irish professional football coach. He played as a central midfielder for most of his career. He is currently First-Team Coach of Charlton Athletic.-Club career:...
- Reg Stewart
- Vic Keeble
- Bobby Hunt
- Martyn King
- Tony Adcock
Anthony "Tony" Charles Adcock is an English former professional footballer. He was born in Bethnal Green, London.-Career:...
The whole of the team that beat Leeds United in 1971 are included:
- Graham Smith
Graham Smith is an English former professional footballer who is active as a manager; he currently coaches the Ventura County Fusion of the USL Premier Development League in the United States.-Playing career:...
- John Gilchrist
- Bobby Cram
Robert Cram was an English professional footballer.Born in Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham, Cram joined West Bromwich Albion as an amateur in September 1955, at the age of 15. He turned professional in January 1957, but did not make his debut until October 1959, in a 0-0 draw against Bolton Wanderers...
- John Kurila
- Brian Garvey
- Brian Lewis
Brian Lewis was an English footballer, most noted as a player for Portsmouth, Luton Town and Colchester United.- Playing Career :...
- Brian Gibbs
Brian Richard Gibbs is an English former professional football player. His clubs included Bournemouth, Colchester United and Gillingham, where he made over 200 Football League appearances and scored over 100 goals....
- Mick Mahon
Michael John "Mick" Mahon is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Mahon started his career with North Shields and Loughborough United before joining Port Vale as an amateur in May 1966...
- Dave Simmons
David John Simmons was an English footballer who played for a number of Football League teams in the 1970s. He is perhaps best known for scoring the decisive goal in Colchester United's shock win against Leeds in the 1971 FA Cup....
- Ray Crawford
Raymond Crawford is a former English international footballer, who played as a striker in a career that saw him score over 300 goals at club level.-Club:...
Also included is former manager, Dick Graham.
Managers
Ted DavisRichard Kenneth Davis is a former American football player in the National Football League. He played for the Baltimore Colts, the New Orleans Saints, and the Miami Dolphins. He played collegiately for the Georgia Tech football team. He was inducted into the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame in 1980....
(1937-1945) Syd Fieldus (1945-1946)
Ted FentonEdward Fenton was manager of English football club West Ham United between 1950 and 1961.He had previously played for the club from 1932 until 1946, having joined from Colchester Town. Mainly as a wing half, but also as a utility player, Fenton made 176 appearances and scored 27 goals in first...
(1946-1948)
Jimmy AllenJames Allen was an American football player who was drafted in the 4th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1974 NFL Draft. He played for the Steelers, where he won Super Bowls IX & X, and the Detroit Lions...
(1948-1953) Ron Meades (1953)
Jack ButlerJack Butler may refer to:* Jack Butler , last native speaker of Jiwarli* Jack Butler , American author* Jack Butler , English football player and manager...
(1953-1955) Claude Orrin (Caretaker) (1955)
Benny FentonBenny Fenton was an English football player and manager.Brother of West Ham United legend Ted Fenton, Benny represented West Ham, Essex and London as a schoolboy...
(1955-1963)
Neil FranklinCornelius 'Neil' Franklin was an English footballer.-Early career:Franklin turned professional in January 1939, and his career was just about to take off only to be put on hold by the suspension of League football because of the Second World War.During the war he made 186 appearances for Stoke...
(1963-1968) Dick Graham (1968-1972) Dennis Mocham (Caretaker) (1972)
Jim SmithJim Smith may refer to:*Jim Smith , former NFL and USFL wide receiver*Jim Smith , Texan animator and co-writer on The Ren and Stimpy Show*Jim Smith , English cricketer*Jim Smith...
(1972-1975)
Bobby RobertsBobby Roberts is a Scottish former footballer and manager, who played as a Midfielder. He joined from the Edinburgh Norton junior club, and went on to make almost 100 league appearances for them. He was made player of the year by the supporter's association for 1962. Bobby moved to play in the...
(1975-1982)
Allan HunterAllan Hunter is a former international footballer.As a central defender, Hunter spent the majority of his professional career at Ipswich Town, making over 350 appearances in his eleven years at the club, which included playing in the victorious 1978 FA Cup Final.He also played for Coleraine F.C.,...
(1982-1983)
Cyril LeaCyril Lea is a former Welsh footballer.He played for Leyton Orient and Ipswich Town, and was responsible for team selection at Portman Road for two months between the departure of Bill McGarry and the arrival of Bobby Robson....
(1983-1986)
Mike WalkerMike Walker is the name of:*Mike Walker , gossip columnist for the National Enquirer*Mike Walker , jazz guitar player from Salford in England*Mike Walker , American football player...
(1986-1987) Roger Brown (1987-1988)
Steve FoleySteve Foley may refer to:A musician:*Steve Foley , drummer for The ReplacementsAn athlete:*Steve Foley , English association football coach...
(Caretaker) (1988-1989)
Jock WallaceJohn "Jock" Martin Bokas Wallace was a professional football player and manager. His father, Jock Wallace, Sr., was a goalkeeper for Raith Rovers, Blackpool and Derby County....
(1989)
Steve FoleySteve Foley may refer to:A musician:*Steve Foley , drummer for The ReplacementsAn athlete:*Steve Foley , English association football coach...
(Caretaker) (1989-1990)
Mick MillsMichael 'Mick' Denis Mills was a football full back who, by the end of his career, had achieved Ipswich Town's record number of appearances and captained England at the World Cup.-Playing career:...
(1990)
Ian AtkinsIan Leslie Atkins is a former English professional football manager, and former professional footballer.- Playing career :...
(1990-1991)
Roy McDonoughRoy McDonough is a former professional football player and manager in the English football league. His surname is occasionally misspelt in the media as Roy McDonagh.-Playing career:...
(1991-1994)
George BurleyGeorge Elder Burley is a Scottish football manager and former player. Burley had a proffesional career spanning 21 years as a player making 628 appearances and earning 11 scotland caps...
(1994)
Dale RobertsDale Roberts , was a football player, a centre-half who started his playing career at Ipswich TownRoberts was born in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.-Playing career:...
(caretaker) (1994-1995)
Steve WignallSteven Leslie "Steve" Wignall is an English football manager and former player. During his playing career, Wignall, who played as a central defender, made over 600 appearances in the Football League...
(1995-1999)
Micky CookMichael "Micky" Cook is an English former professional footballer who played as a right back. Cook spent his entire career with Colchester United, making 614 appearances in the Football League.-External links:*...
&
Steve WhittonStephen Paul "Steve" Whitton is a former English footballer who played as a striker. He was born in East Ham, London. He made more than 450 league appearances, playing in the Football League and Premier League in England, the Swedish Allsvenskan and the Hong Kong First Division League. He went on...
(caretakers) (1999)
Mick WadsworthMichael "Mick" Wadsworth is an English football coach and former player, who most recently had the role of manager of Chester City Football Club from June to September 2009.-Playing career:...
(1999)
Steve WhittonStephen Paul "Steve" Whitton is a former English footballer who played as a striker. He was born in East Ham, London. He made more than 450 league appearances, playing in the Football League and Premier League in England, the Swedish Allsvenskan and the Hong Kong First Division League. He went on...
(1999-2003)
Geraint Williams Geraint Williams is manager of Leyton Orient and a former professional footballer who also played for Wales.- Career :...
(caretaker) (2003)
Phil ParkinsonPhilip John "Phil" Parkinson is an English football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of Charlton Athletic.-Playing career:...
(2003-2006)
Geraint Williams Geraint Williams is manager of Leyton Orient and a former professional footballer who also played for Wales.- Career :...
(2006-2008)
Kit SymonsChristopher "Kit" Jeremiah Symons is a former Welsh international footballer.A defender, Symons began his career at Portsmouth, spending seven years at the south coast club, making 160 appearances. In the summer of 1995 he transferred to Manchester City for a £1.2 million fee...
(caretaker) (2008)
Paul LambertPaul Lambert is a Scottish football manager and former player who is manager of Norwich City. He achieved great success as a player, winning the Scottish Cup with St...
(2008-2009)
Joe DunneJoseph John "Joe" Dunne is an Irish former professional footballer. He played professionally for Gillingham and Colchester United and made nearly 280 Football League appearances in a 13-year career....
(caretaker) (2009) Aidy Boothroyd (2009-)
Honours
- Football League 1
- Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, but most of them are semi-professional...
- Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales....
- Champions 1938–39
- League Cup winners 1939–40, 1946–47
- Eastern Counties Football League
The Eastern Counties Football League is an English football league at Levels 9 and 10 of the English football league system. It contains teams from Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, and is a feeder to the regional divisions of either the Isthmian League or the Southern League, depending...
- Champions 1938–39, 1956–57, 1958–59 (Colchester United Reserves)
- Essex Senior League Challenge Cup
- Winners 1974–75 (Colchester United 'A' )
- Football Association Challenge Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
External links