Colchester United W.F.C.

This article is about Colchester United Womens FC established in 2023. For the original Colchester United women's team that folded in 2013, see Colchester United L.F.C.

Colchester United Women's Football Club

Full name	Colchester United Women's Football Club
Nickname(s)	The U's
Founded	July 2023
Ground	Colchester Garrison B Ground
Head Coach	Simon King
League	Essex County Women's Football League
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours
Current season

Colchester United Women's Football Club, commonly referred to as The U's unless distinguishing themselves from the men's team, is an English women's association football club based in the city of Colchester, Essex, England formed in July 2023. The club plays in the Premier Divison of the Essex County Women’s Football League, the ninth level of the English women’s football league system.

History

After a ten-year absence of a women's football team at Colchester following the folding of Colchester United L.F.C., Colchester United Football in the Community unveiled plans to reform a women's team in time for the 2023/24 season in June 2023. ^{[1] [2] [3]} Trials were held at Shrub End Sports Ground over three consecutive weeks, with successful players being informed of their position in July 2023. The founding of Colchester United W.F.C was confirmed at CUFC's Annual Open Day held at the Colchester Community Stadium on Sunday 16th July along with the appointment of Luke Worley as head coach.

Pre-season friendlies took place during August 2023.

2023/24 Campaign

The team's first match of the season took place against Chelmsford City Reserves on Sunday 10th September, ^[4] The U's winning 11-0. The U's completed the seasion undefeated in all division matches. ^{[5] [6]}

Coach Luke Worley stepped down from the role of head coach in December 2023, with Simon King filling the position in February 2024 ^[7]

The team successfully entered Round Three of the BBC Essex County Cup following victories over Frontier Ladies First (3-0) and Toby Ladies First (2-0) but suffered a 8-0 defeat to FA National League side Billericay Town Women Reserves.

The U's defeated Southminster United Ladies First on 19th May 2024 in the League Cup Final (winning 6-0), ^[8] after beating Premier Division team Chelmsford City Women in the semi-final. ^[9] This meant that they secured the Double in their first season in addition to being undefeated in all league matches. ^[10]

The team played a total of 27 matches throughout the season (excluding friendlies):

League: Played 18 (won 18, lost 0)

Essex Women's Cup: Played 3 (won 2, lost 1)

League Cup: Playes 6 (won 6, lost 0)

Colours and Crest

The team plays in the same kit as worn by the men's team to represent equality and value across both disciplines. For the 2024/25 Season, the home shirt consists of a modern take on the Club's traditional blue and white striped design, while the away shirt is red with narrow blue stripes around the collar, sleeves and underarms, inspired by the mens team's historic success in the 2005/6 season. As with the men's team, the home and away kits are sponsored by Workhorse Group for the 2023/24 season.

Stadium

Despite originally planning to host matches at their Shrub End training ground, it was announced on 12th September 2023 that their new home ground would be at Colchester Garrison, with full access to the covered seating area and clubhouse before and after matches. ^[11]

Players

First-team squad

For 2024/25 season (tbc).

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK   ENG Jamie Newstead 2 DEF   ENG Jacqueline Craddock-Ball 3 DF   ENG Sophie Farrow 4 MF   ENG Caddie Craddock-Ball(captain) 5 MF   ENG Niamh Gamble 6 DF   ENG Deben Howlett 7 MF   ENG Ruby Vinton 8 MF   ENG Thalia Adams 9 FW   ENG Ruby Greenleaf 10 FW   ENG Camilla Morgan 11 MF   ENG Emily Ager 12 MF   ENG Sophie Vale 13 GK   ENG Rosa Devall 14 DF   ENG Karys Paton

No. Pos. Nation Player 15 DF   ENG Learna Daniels 16 MF   ENG Jamie Newstead(Also plays GK) 17 DF   ENG Leah Pope 18 FW   ENG Ella Cahill 21 MF   ENG Lindsey Morgan

Coaching Staff

• Head Coach: Simon King
• Assistant Head Coach: Milly Morgan
• Goalkeeping Coach: Carl Oliver

Honours

League

• Essex County Women’s Football League Divison Two
  • Promoted: 2023/24 (double-promotion to Premier Division)

Cup

• Football League Cup
  • Winners: 2023/4

2024/25 Season Results

Colchester United Womens FC's score is shown first in each case.

Colchester United Womens FC in the 2024–25 Essex County Women's Football League (Premier Division)

Date	Venue	Opponents	Score	Colchester United Womens FC scorers	Att.	Ref.
Sep 8, 2024	The Garrison (H)	Brentwood Town FC Ladies

References

1. "Colchester United to launch new women's team". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
2. "Colchester United women's team to make welcome return after ten-year absence". Gazette. 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
3. "Colchester United's relaunched Women's team is "pathway" for "Young Talented Players"". Planet Radio. 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
4. "Returning Colchester United women's side all set for big kick-off". Gazette. 2023-09-08. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
5. "Full Results Table". The Football Association. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
6. "Promotion the aim for Colchester United Women after stunning start". Gazette. 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
7. "King Appointed Women's Head Coach". www.cu-fc.com. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
8. "Southminster United Ladies vs Colchester United on 19 May 24 - Match Centre - Colchester United". www.cu-fc.com. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
9. "Match Report - Chelmsford Cty Women v Colchester United Women". Women's Football East. 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
10. "Romford Women see cup hopes ended by Colchester United". Romford Recorder. 2024-02-27. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
11. "New Home Awaits U's Women". www.cu-fc.com. Retrieved 2023-12-04.