Colchester United

Colchester United FC is a professional football club, based in north Essex that was formed in 1937 out of the ashes of the previous club, Colchester Town. 'The Oystermen' as they were called were formed in 1867, played latterly in the Southern League before they were dissolved.

The club had moved to Layer Road in 1909 when it was originally owned by the army. Just before Town folded, United were set up. It did not take the new club long to achieve success, winning the Southern League title in 1938-39 with Ted Davis in charge of the team, just one year after becoming members. 

In 1947-48 'The U's' under manager Ted Fenton went on to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup defeating Banbury Spencer, Wrexham, Huddersfield Town, and Bradford Park Avenue before going out to Blackpool. The team then ended the 1949-50 season as league runners-up with Jimmy Allen at the helm.

United were admitted into the Football League for the following season. When the competition was reorganized, they were placed in Division Three for the 1958-59 campaign. The U’s dropped down to Division Four at the end of the 1960-61 season. Promotion was achieved twelve months later with Bobby Fenton managing the side. 

1954-65 marked another relegation, but Colchester managed by Neil Franklin won promotion again in 1965-66. 1967-68 saw the club drop back down to the fourth tier. Two major highlights occurred in the 1970-71 season with former England international Ray Crawford up front and Dick Graham as manager.

In the FA Cup Fifth Round, the U's defeated the might of Leeds United at Layer Road before the TV cameras which can be seen here. The following preseason they qualified to play in the Watney Cup. This was for the top two goal scoring teams from each division who weren't promoted or playing in Europe. 

United got to the final against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns and won 4-3 on penalties after the game ended 4-4. Jim Smith led the team to promotion in 1973-74 before they were demoted once again in 1975-76, by which time Bobby Roberts had been appointed as manager.

 

Promotion was won at the first time of asking, but the side went back down yet again in 1980-81. Managers came and went at regular intervals, including Allan Hunter, Cyril Lea, Mike Walker, Jock Wallace, and fans favourite Steve Foley. Walker was in charge as the U’s reached the playoffs in 1986-87 but lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the semifinals.

The club took the step of banning all away fans after trouble caused by Wolves fans, while financial troubles in the late 1980's led to a fall in crowds and performances. Mick Mills came in as team boss but couldn’t save the side from being relegated to the Conference in 1989-90.

The divisive but popular Roy McDonough was appointed as player-manager as he took the team by the scuff of the neck and led from the front after he was appointed in June 1991 to replace Ian Atkins who had taken the side to a runners-up place. 

The 1991-92 season saw Colchester crowned as Conference champions to regain their Football League status, pipping Martin O’Neill’s Wycombe Wanderers side, and creating a great rivalry in the process. The side also lifted the FA Trophy with a 3-1 win against Witton Albion at Wembley.

McDonough departed in May 1995, which was followed by brief spells under George Burley and Dale Roberts before Steve Wignall, another former U’s player, took over team affairs. He took United to the playoffs in 1995-96, which ended in defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the semifinals.

However, the 1997-98 season saw Barnet and then Torquay United defeated in the playoffs as Colchester were promoted. Wignall also led his side to the final of the 1996-97 Football League Trophy, where they lost on penalties at Wembley to Carlisle United.

The terraced enclosure at Layer Road

Steve Witton had a relatively lengthy spell as manager, prior to the arrival of Phil Parkinson in February 2003. Remarkably, he took United to the Championship in 2005-06 before he was replaced by Geraint Williams.

Layer Road became the place to be on a Friday night, as the goals of Jamie Cureton and Chris Iwelumo secured the U’s a tenth-place spot in 2006-07. Kevin Lisbie took over as top scorer, but the team was relegated after two seasons in the second tier.

After eight years of planning United moved to Cuckoo Farm in 2008 and the new Colchester Community Stadium which saw a ten-year sponsorship deal with Weston Homes. Williams was replaced by Paul Lambert, who left to go to Norwich City in August 2008 after his side inflicted a 7-1 victory over the Canaries at Carrow Road.

The entrance and offices at Layer Road

He was replaced by Aidy Boothroyd and then John Ward. Unfortunately, the team didn't progress as expected so Ward departed with former player Joe Dunne taking over in September 2012.

Tony Humes was appointed as manager in September 2014 as United once again narrowly avoided relegation a few months later. However, there was to be no escape in 2015-16 as Col U dropped down to League Two while a succession of managers came and went.

Chris Porter put away the goals as the side just missed out on the playoff places twelve months later under new manager John McGreal. They came close once again in 2018-19 before achieving it in 2019-20 when they lost to Exeter City is the semifinals. 

Steve Ball replaced McGreal in June 2020 before he was dismissed the following February, with caretaker bosses taking control before Hayden Mullins was eventually given the job. He lasted until January 2022. Matt Bloomfield was given the job the following September before moving to Wycombe Wanders when Ben Garner was appointed.

Matthew Etherington was given the managers job in October 2023 before being replaced by Danny Cowley in January 2024 who helped lead the team to safety.

Colchester United FC will play in EFL League Two in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Colchester United 1 Scarborough 3 (Monday 31st August 1987) Division Four (att: 1,525)

It was August Bank Holiday and I was out on the Sunday night enjoying plenty of drinks knowing I had the next day off. I was with some mates when a Hull City and occasional Boro supporting pal Nick Groombridge mentioned he was going to Colchester the next day followed at night by Swindon Town against Hull City. My ears pricked up immediately and I wanted to know more.

I was introduced to Mick Young who would be driving his works car. He said it was OK for me to go as well as a mate of his Jon Dyer who was universally known as Doomie who went to watch Boro and Sunderland. The thing that bothered me about the expedition was that Colchester were only admitting home fans after suffering from hooligans from away in the past. Despite this, we said we'd give it a go.

The car wasn't exactly full of energy the next morning and I remember it being a long journey through a lot of picturesque villages once we'd left the motorway. We were outside the ground before 2pm which was all part of our strategy. We saw the team coach driver, a nice bloke called Ron Arnell and asked him if there was any chance of getting us any tickets from the players.

He already had an allocation on him and he kindly handed four over to us for nothing for the Main Stand. We were told we had to be discreet. This was fine as the game was pretty even without any controversial incidents, plus none of us had been drinking!

In the second half Boro got control and went ahead. We realised we weren't the only Seadogs there and we raised a small cheer. When the third went in we were out of our seats and fully celebrating as were the others including a few stood on their own behind the goal.

Layer Road was as compact ground as I'd ever been in at Football League level. The Main Stand was in three sections, with two seated and the third at The Layer Road End with terracing. 

That end of the ground had the only access in and out and comprised of a few steps of wooden terrace which was apparently built by German Prisoners of War. The far side had a cover in the centre section of terracing with open standing either side. The final end had an undulating open terrace.

We enjoyed the game thanks to the goals scored by Stewart Mell, Ernie Moss, and a Neil Thompson penalty. It was certainly one for bragging rights back home as we shouldn't have been there. We went on our way and somehow got to Swindon in time for kick off that evening!

Colchester United 2 AFC Bournemouth 1 (Friday 14th January 2011) League One (att: 3,445)

I had been meaning to go to the new stadium on quite a few occasions but never got round to it. With me been on early shift at work this gave me an ideal opportunity.

I took a brief nap after work and headed down to Liverpool Street to catch a fast train with Colchester the first stop. I had done my homework beforehand so I knew there was a shuttle bus service to the ground from near the station. There was a pub nearby, but I decided to make sure I got there in plenty of time.

The shuttle was excellent value for £1.50 return and was subsidised by the U's chairman. As well as the service from the railway station, buses also call at three pubs around the city before and after games.

The area around the stadium was still growing but was pleasant enough. I bought a ticket for the end block of the main West Stand and went inside to take photos and take refreshments. I wasn't in the mood for beer but warmed up with a cuppa while looking at the nice photos depicting moments from the clubs history which brightened up the brick walls. 

The concourse wasn't huge but had all the usual facilities; bookies, bar, refreshments TVs showing Sky Sports News. I was the beneficiary of picking up a free racing diary which my dad had been trying to get hold of for ages, so my visit was handy for him too.

I went for my seat which offered a good view. All four stands were separate builds with the West Stand being slightly taller and containing corporate facilities at the rear. The noisiest U's fans were to my right in the South Stand. 

The North Stand was left empty with the visiting fans been given a few blocks in the East Stand instead. I would guess there was about 300 of them, which wasn't bad for a Friday night game being shown live on Sky.

It was to be quite an emotional night for 'The Cherries' as their young boss Eddie Howe was to move to a bigger job at Burnley after the game. He had worked wonders with no money on the south coast and his team were in the playoff places before the game, with The U's a few places outside.

I had been tempted to have a daft bet at evens on the game being all square at half time. I didn't bother and sure enough it ended nil nil. I warmed up with a bovril before seeing a mascots race featuring some very strange local creations from local businesses and attractions. It made the kids happy anyway!

AFCB made a change at half time replacing one veteran, Lee Bradbury with another, the club legend Steve Fletcher who headed them ahead after fifty three minutes. The players all ran over to celebrate for one last time with manager Howe.

Col U, as the locals call them, tried to get back into it but didn't make any headway until boss John Ward made a double substitution. One of the new players, Steven Gillespie immediately looked quality to me. He made things happen instantly and it was no surprise when he rounded off a fine move. Ten minutes later he lobbed home what proved to be the winner.

I left for the bus a couple of minutes from the end. On board an old fan had the live commentary on his radio and he gave us all a commentary of what was happening. There was a nice  feeling of a community spirit amongst the fans. 

Then some younger fans got on to tell anyone who'd listen that Gillespie was still a waste of money, only in far fewer words much to the bemusement of everyone else. The service dropped me back at Bruff Close and I was soon awaiting the train back to London, to get me back at my place for 11.40pm.

The pictures of Layer Road have been taken from the internet.