Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester, Essex. Formed in 1937, the club competed in the Southern Football League from their foundation until 1950, [1] when they were elected to the Football League. [2] The club spent eleven years in the Third Division South and Third Division following the league's reorganisation in 1958, with a best finish of third place in 1957, one point behind rivals Ipswich Town and Torquay United. [3] [4] Colchester suffered their first relegation in 1961 as they finished 23rd in the Third Division, [5] but spent just one season in the Fourth Division as they were promoted in second position, behind Millwall by just one point. [6] This trend of relegation followed by promotion continued over the next few decades, before the club were eventually relegated from the Football League to the Conference in 1990. [7]
Player-manager Roy McDonough guided the club back to the Football League in 1992, winning the non-league double of the Conference title and the FA Trophy. [8] The club then won promotion to the Second Division in 1998 with a 1–0 Third Division play-off final win at Wembley against Torquay United. [9] The club were again earned promotion in the 2005–06 season under the stewardship of Phil Parkinson, gaining the opportunity to play second-tier football for the first time in their history. After two seasons in the Championship, Colchester were relegated back to League One, where they currently play. [8]
This list encompasses all major honours won by Colchester United, the records set by the managers, the players, and the club. The player records section includes details of the club's leading goalscorers and those who have made most appearances in first-team competitions, alongside the record transfer fees paid and received by the club, and the fee progression. Attendance records at Colchester's Layer Road and Colchester Community Stadium are also included in the list.
Colchester United have won one major honour in the Football League, winning the Third Division play-off final in the 1997–98 season, when they defeated Torquay United 1–0 at Wembley after finishing fourth in the league, one point away from automatic promotion. [10] [11] They have achieved promotion on six other occasions, most recently in 2005–06, when they finished as runners-up in League One to Southend United, thus earning promotion to the Championship for the first time in their history. [10]
Colchester United's honours and achievements include the following: [10]
The Football League
Football Conference
Southern Football League
Domestic cup competition
# | Name | Years | League [lower-alpha 7] | FA Cup | League Cup | Other [lower-alpha 8] | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 1969–1984 | 613 | 45 | 37 | 2 | 700 |
2 | ![]() | 1973–1983 | 451 | 36 | 34 | 0 | 524 |
3 | ![]() | 1985–1996 | 429 | 30 | 16 | 40 | 517 |
4 | ![]() | 1971–1984 | 432 | 34 | 32 | 2 | 503 |
5 | ![]() | 2001 2001–2013 | 421 | 20 | 15 | 16 | 473 |
6 | ![]() | 1995–2008 2011–2014 | 415 | 24 | 14 | 16 | 471 |
7 | ![]() | 1952–1964 | 427 | 17 | 8 | 0 | 451 |
8 | ![]() | 1955–1966 | 415 | 20 | 7 | 0 | 442 |
9 | ![]() | 1955–1965 | 397 | 18 | 7 | 0 | 422 |
10 | ![]() | 1975–1983 1988–1989 | 347 | 30 | 26 | 3 | 409 |
Players shown in bold are current Colchester United players and statistics will be subject to change.
Last updated 2 June 2011
Name | Years | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other [A] | Total [30] | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 1981–1987 1995–1998 | 126 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 149 |
2 | ![]() | 1956–1964 | 132 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 140 |
3 | ![]() | 1946–1951 | 81 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 105 |
4 | ![]() | 1946–1952 | 89 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 98 |
5 | ![]() | 1952–1960 | 91 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 97 |
6 | ![]() | 1952–1964 | 89 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 95 |
7 | ![]() | 1975–1983 1988–1989 | 79 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 94 |
8 | ![]() | 1960–1964 | 82 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 90 |
=9 | ![]() | 1947–1952 | 78 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 84 |
=9 | ![]() | 1954–1958 1988-1989 | 79 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 84 |
The following players have been included in the PFA Team of the Year while playing for Colchester United: [31] [32]
The following players have been awarded the official Colchester United Player of the Year. Also included are seasonal top goalscorers and most overall appearances since the Player of the Year award's inception in 1965:
Player | From | Fee [34] | Date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | Cheltenham Town | £400,000 | July 2008 |
2 | ![]() | Luton Town | £350,000 | January 2008 |
3 | ![]() | MK Dons | £300,000 | July 2007 |
=4 | ![]() | Brighton & Hove Albion | £250,000 | January 2008 |
=4 | ![]() | Tottenham Hotspur | £250,000 | July 2007 |
6 | ![]() | Hamilton Academical | £125,000 | July 2009 |
=7 | ![]() | Carlisle United | £100,000 | January 2009 |
=7 | ![]() | Tottenham Hotspur | £100,000 | January 2008 |
=7 | ![]() | Nottingham Forest | £100,000 | June 2008 |
=7 | ![]() | Shrewsbury Town | £100,000 | January 2009 |
Date | Player | Bought from | Fee [34] |
---|---|---|---|
August 1937 | ![]() | Chelsea | £3,000 |
November 1957 | ![]() | Liverpool | £4,000 |
November 1957 | ![]() | Plymouth Argyle | £6,750 |
August 1973 | ![]() | Bournemouth | £8,000 |
December 1977 | ![]() | Darlington | £15,000 |
October 1980 | ![]() | Keith | £25,000 |
August 1987 | ![]() | Lokeren | £40,000 |
March 1998 | ![]() | Ipswich Town | £50,000 |
July 2007 | ![]() | Tottenham Hotspur | £250,000 |
July 2007 | ![]() | MK Dons | £300,000 |
January 2008 | ![]() | Luton Town | £350,000 |
July 2008 | ![]() | Cheltenham Town | £400,000 |
Player | From | Fee [35] | Date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | Reading | £2,500,000 | January 2007 |
2 | ![]() | Newcastle United | £2,250,000 | September 2000 |
=3 | ![]() | Norwich City | £750,000 | June 2007 |
=3 | ![]() | Hull City | £750,000 | February 2005 |
5 | ![]() | Ipswich Town | £600,000 | July 2008 |
=6 | ![]() | Birmingham City | £500,000 | June 2006 |
=6 | ![]() | Wolverhampton Wanderers | £500,000 | January 2008 |
=8 | ![]() | Hull City | £450,000 | July 2007 |
=8 | ![]() | Middlesbrough | £450,000 | July 2009 |
10 | ![]() | Southampton | £400,000 | August 2009 |
Date | Player | Bought from | Fee [35] |
---|---|---|---|
October 1937 | ![]() | Wolverhampton Wanderers | £500 |
January 1952 | ![]() | Newcastle United | £15,000 |
February 1964 | ![]() | Northampton Town | £20,000 |
November 1973 | ![]() | Swindon Town | £25,000 |
April 1980 | ![]() | Wrexham | £75,000 |
January 1981 | ![]() | Gillingham | £90,000 |
December 1988 | ![]() | Crystal Palace | £100,000 |
February 1989 | ![]() | Wimbledon | £150,000 |
September 1996 | ![]() | Charlton Athletic | £300,000 |
September 2000 | ![]() | Newcastle United | £2,250,000 |
January 2007 | ![]() | Reading | £2,500,000 |
The following list indicates Colchester United managers since 1937: [36] [37]
Years with Club | Name | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1937–1939 | ![]() | 128 | 80 | 17 | 31 | 327 | 155 | +172 | 62.5% | Colchester United's first ever manager |
1945–1946 | ![]() | 30 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 49 | 69 | -20 | 33.3% | |
1946–1948 | ![]() | 88 | 48 | 17 | 23 | 214 | 135 | +79 | 54.5% | |
1948–1953 | ![]() | 249 | 108 | 59 | 82 | 433 | 380 | +53 | 43.4% | |
1953–1955 | ![]() | 77 | 16 | 19 | 42 | 85 | 138 | -53 | 20.8% | |
1955–1963 | ![]() | 427 | 166 | 107 | 154 | 736 | 733 | +3 | 38.9% | |
1963–1968 | ![]() | 234 | 72 | 62 | 100 | 313 | 383 | -70 | 30.8% | |
1968–1972 | ![]() | 216 | 93 | 51 | 72 | 322 | 288 | +34 | 43.1% | |
1972 | ![]() | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 0.0% | Caretaker manager |
1972–1975 | ![]() | 140 | 55 | 36 | 49 | 198 | 167 | +31 | 39.3% | |
1975–1982 | ![]() | 375 | 143 | 108 | 124 | 504 | 451 | +53 | 38.1% | |
1982–1983 | ![]() | 36 | 17 | 7 | 12 | 51 | 39 | +12 | 47.2% | |
1983–1986 | ![]() | 173 | 71 | 46 | 56 | 294 | 243 | +51 | 41.0% | |
1986–1987 | ![]() | 83 | 37 | 16 | 30 | 120 | 102 | +18 | 44.6% | |
1987–1988 | ![]() | 48 | 16 | 12 | 20 | 46 | 68 | -22 | 33.3% | |
1988–1989 1989–1990 | ![]() | 21 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 33 | 34 | -1 | 33.3% | Caretaker manager |
1989 | ![]() | 52 | 12 | 16 | 24 | 63 | 87 | -24 | 23.1% | |
1990 | ![]() | 25 | 8 | 3 | 14 | 27 | 37 | -10 | 32.0% | |
1990–1991 | ![]() | 51 | 30 | 11 | 10 | 80 | 46 | +34 | 58.8% | |
1991–1994 | ![]() | 155 | 69 | 33 | 53 | 271 | 226 | +45 | 44.5% | |
1994 | ![]() | 26 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 41 | 38 | +3 | 46.2% | |
1994–1995 | ![]() | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 20.0% | Caretaker manager |
1995–1999 | ![]() | 218 | 81 | 64 | 73 | 289 | 283 | +6 | 37.2% | |
1999 | ![]() | 24 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 28 | 41 | -13 | 29.2% | |
1999–2003 | ![]() | 181 | 52 | 45 | 84 | 224 | 290 | -66 | 28.7% | Includes time as caretaker |
2003–2006 | ![]() | 187 | 80 | 52 | 55 | 256 | 203 | +53 | 42.8% | |
2006–2008 | ![]() | 109 | 33 | 30 | 46 | 150 | 165 | -15 | 30.3% | Includes time as caretaker |
2008 | ![]() | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 40.0% | Caretaker manager |
2008–2009 | ![]() | 42 | 19 | 7 | 16 | 55 | 43 | +12 | 45.2% | |
2009–2010 | ![]() | 44 | 19 | 12 | 13 | 56 | 52 | +4 | 43.2% | |
2010–2012 | ![]() | 102 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 134 | 148 | –14 | 32.4% | |
2009, 2012-2014 | ![]() | 49 | 17 | 11 | 21 | 85 | 106 | −21 | 34.6% | Includes time as caretaker |
2014-2015 | Tony Humes | 67 | 22 | 15 | 30 | 101 | 126 | −25 | 32.8% | |
2015 | Richard Hall | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0.0% | Caretaker manager |
2015, 2021, 2022 | Wayne Brown | 46 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 50 | 63 | -13 | 30.4% | Includes time as caretaker |
2015-2016 | Kevin Keen | 24 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 21 | 40 | −19 | 20.8% | |
2016 | David Wright | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.0% | Caretaker manager |
2016, 2020-2021, 2022 | Steve Ball | 36 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 41 | 49 | -8 | 22.2% | Includes time as caretaker |
2016-2020 | John McGreal | 202 | 76 | 55 | 71 | 289 | 264 | 25 | 37.6% | |
2021-2022 | Hayden Mullins | 40 | 11 | 11 | 18 | 36 | 50 | -14 | 27.5% | Includes time as caretaker |
2022-2023 | Matt Bloomfield | 28 | 9 | 6 | 13 | 28 | 31 | −3 | 32.1% | |
2023 | Ross Embleton | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 0.0% | Caretaker manager |
2023 | Ben Garner | 24 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 31 | 36 | −5 | 25.0% | |
2023-2024 | Matthew Etherington | 15 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 18 | 29 | -11 | 33.3% | Includes time as caretaker |
2024- | Danny Cowley |
Scott Barrett is an English former footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the Football League for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City, Colchester United, Stockport County, Gillingham, Cambridge United and Leyton Orient.
The 2004–05 season was Colchester United's 63rd season in their history and their seventh successive season in the third tier of English football, the newly renamed League One. Alongside competing in League One, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Football League Trophy.
The 2003–04 season was Colchester United's 62nd season in their history and their sixth successive season in the third tier of English football, the Second Division. Alongside competing in the Second Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Football League Trophy.
The 2002–03 season was Colchester United's 61st season in their history and their fifth successive season in the third tier of English football, the Second Division. Alongside competing in the Second Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Football League Trophy.
The 2001–02 season was Colchester United's 60th season in their history and their fourth successive season in the third tier of English football, the Second Division. Alongside competing in the Second Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Football League Trophy.
The 1992–93 season was Colchester United's 51st season in their history and their first season back in the Football League. Colchester competed in the Third Division, the fourth tier of English football, after achieving promotion from the Conference the season prior. Alongside competing in the Third Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Football League Trophy, and the Conference Shield.
The 1991–92 season was Colchester United's 50th season in their history and their second consecutive season in the Conference, the fifth tier of English football and the highest tier of non-League football in England. Alongside competing in the Conference, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the FA Trophy and the Bob Lord Trophy.
The 1990–91 season was Colchester United's 49th season in their history and their first season outside of the Football League for 40 years following relegation from the Fourth Division the season prior. Now competing in the Conference, the fifth tier of English football and the highest level on non-League football in England, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the FA Trophy and the Bob Lord Trophy.
The 1981–82 season was Colchester United's 40th season in their history and first season back in fourth tier of English football, the Fourth Division following relegation the previous campaign. Alongside competing in the Fourth Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the League Cup.
The 1980–81 season was Colchester United's 39th season in their history and fourth successive season in third tier of English football, the Third Division. Alongside competing in the Third Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the League Cup.
The 1976–77 season was Colchester United's 35th season in their history and first season back in fourth tier of English football, the Fourth Division following relegation the previous season. Alongside competing in the Fourth Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the League Cup.
The 1973–74 season was Colchester United's 32nd season in their history and their sixth successive season in the fourth tier of English football, the Fourth Division. Alongside competing in the Fourth Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the League Cup.
The 1972–73 season was Colchester United's 31st season in their history and their fifth successive season in the fourth tier of English football, the Fourth Division. Alongside competing in the Fourth Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the League Cup.
The 1970–71 season was Colchester United's 29th season in their history and their third successive season in the fourth tier of English football, the Fourth Division. Alongside competing in the Fourth Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the League Cup.
The 1967–68 season was Colchester United's 26th season in their history and their second successive season in the third tier of English football, the Third Division. Alongside competing in the Third Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the League Cup.
The 1966–67 season was Colchester United's 25th season in their history and their first back in the third tier of English football, the Third Division, following promotion from the Fourth Division the previous season. Alongside competing in the Third Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the League Cup.
The 1961–62 season was Colchester United's 20th season in their history and their first-ever season in the fourth tier of English football, the Fourth Division. Alongside competing in the Fourth Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the League Cup.
The 1949–50 season was Colchester United's eighth season in their history and their eighth and final season in the Southern League. Alongside competing in the Southern League, the club also participated in the FA Cup and Southern League Cup. The club finished as runner-up to Merthyr Tydfil in the league, but despite this Colchester were elected to the Football League at the end of the campaign with the expansion of the League from 88 to 92 clubs. The club won the Southern League Cup 6–4 on aggregate, while they exited the FA Cup at the fourth qualifying round stage following a 1–0 defeat by Wealdstone.
Brian Anthony Abrey is an English former footballer who played as a wing half in the Football League for Colchester United. Having begun his career at Chelsea, Abrey spent one full season at Colchester before having to retire through injury.