Colchester United W.F.C.

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Colchester United Women's Football Club
Full nameColchester United Women's Football Club
Nickname(s)The U's
FoundedJuly 2023
GroundColchester Garrison B Ground
Head CoachMilly Morgan
LeagueEastern Region Women's Football League
Website www.cu-fc.com
Soccerball current event.svg 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 Division One South of the Eastern Region Women's Football League, step 6 of the English women's football league system.

Contents

History

After a ten-year absence of a women's football team at Colchester United, following the folding of Colchester United L.F.C. in 2013, the Colchester United Community Foundation unveiled plans to reform the women's team in time for the 2023–24 season. [1] [2] The foundation held open trials for prospective players at Shrub End Community Sports Centre over three consecutive weeks beginning on 21 June 2023, with successful players being informed of their position that July. The founding of Colchester United Women F.C was confirmed at Colchester United's annual open day held at the Colchester Community Stadium on Sunday 16 July, along with the appointment of Luke Worley as head coach.

Pre-season friendlies for the inaugural season took place during August 2023. The team's first match of the league season took place against Chelmsford City Reserves on Sunday 10 September, [3] with Colchester winning 11–0.

Coach Luke Worley stepped down from the role of head coach in December 2023, [4] with assistant coach Millie Morgan and goalkeeping coach Carl Oliver taking an interim role before the club announced that Simon King had been appointed as head coach in February 2024 [5]

On 19 May 2024, Colchester contested the Essex Women's League Cup Final, defeating Southminster United Ladies First 6-0 [6] having beaten Premier Division team Chelmsford City Women in the semi-final. [7] Since Colchester had also gone the entire league season without defeat, the team were able to secure the league and cup double in their first season. The team were promoted to the Essex County Women's Football League Premier Division for the 2024–25 season.

On 26 February the club announced through its Instagram page that Simon King had stepped down as head coach due to personal reasons after one year in charge. [8] King had lead the team to promotion and a League Cup victory in their first-ever season. Milly Morgan was appointed as interim head coach until the end of the season. On 1 June the club announced that Morgan had been given the role permanently.

Colchester ended the season in second place and were promoted to the Eastern Region Women's Football League at step 6 on the pyramid for the 2025/26 season.

Colours and crest

The team uses the same kit worn at all levels of football at Colchester United. [9] Colchester United traditionally used the same colours of their predecessors Colchester Town who played in blue and white striped shirts combined with white shorts.

Stadium

Despite originally planning to host matches at their Shrub End training ground, it was announced on 12 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. [10]

Players

First-team squad

For 2024/25 season

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

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of England.svg  ENG Jamie-Louise Newstead(vice captain)
2 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Jac Craddock-Ball
3 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Sophie Farrow
4 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Cassie Craddock-Ball(captain)
5 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Niamh Gamble
7 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Ruby Vinton
8 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Thalia Adams
9 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Ruby Greenleaf
10 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Lindsey Morgan
11 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Emily Ager
12 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Louise Kaine
14 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Karys Paton
15 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Learna Daniels
16 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Jasmine Cox
17 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Leah Pope
18 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Ella Cahill
20 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Billie-Jo Williams
21 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Lucy Yewman

Coaching staff

Honours

League

Cup

References

  1. ↑ "Colchester United women's team to make welcome return after ten-year absence". Gazette. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "Colchester United's relaunched Women's team is "pathway" for "Young Talented Players"". Planet Radio. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  3. ↑ "Returning Colchester United women's side all set for big kick-off". Gazette. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  4. ↑ "Colchester United women's team looking for new head coach". www.gazette-news.co.uk/. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  5. ↑ "King Appointed Women's Head Coach". www.cu-fc.com. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  6. ↑ "Southminster United Ladies vs Colchester United on 19 May 24 - Match Centre - Colchester United". www.cu-fc.com. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  7. ↑ "Match Report - Chelmsford Cty Women v Colchester United Women". Women's Football East. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  8. ↑ "Colchester United head coach Simon King steps down". www.gazette-news.co.uk. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  9. ↑ https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2023/june/col-u-womens-team2/
  10. ↑ "New Home Awaits U's Women". www.cu-fc.com. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
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