Colchester United 1988–89 football season
Colchester United 1988–89 season Chairman Jonathan Crisp[1] Manager Roger Brown (until 15 October)Steve Foley (caretaker) (21 October until 12 January)Jock Wallace (from 12 January)Stadium Layer Road Fourth Division 22nd FA Cup 4th round (eliminated bySheffield United ) League Cup 1st round (eliminated byNorthampton Town ) Associate Members' Cup Quarter-final (southern section) (eliminated byHereford United ) Top goalscorer League: Mario Walsh (9) All: Mario Walsh (15) Highest home attendance 7,588 v Sheffield United , 31 January 1989[2] Lowest home attendance 993 v Southend United , 20 December 1988[3] Average home league attendance 2,871[4] Biggest win 4–0 v Exeter City , 5 May 1989 Biggest defeat 0–8 v Leyton Orient , 15 October 1988
The 1988–89 season was Colchester United's 47th season in their history and eighth consecutive season in fourth tier of English football , the Fourth Division . Alongside competing in the Fourth Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup , the League Cup and the Associate Members' Cup .
Roger Brown 's unsuccessful tenure came to and end following a club record 8–0 defeat at Leyton Orient in October. With the club languishing bottom of the entire football league, former Rangers manager Jock Wallace boosted the club and helped them avoid relegation to the Conference , ending the season 22nd of 24 clubs.
Remarkably, Colchester had a successful FA Cup run as they saw off Fulham , Swansea City and Shrewsbury Town on their way to a fourth round tie with Sheffield United , who knocked out the U's following a Layer Road replay. They again reached the area quarter-final of the Associate Members' Cup where they were defeated by Hereford United , and a 5–0 thrashing at Northampton Town spelt an early exit from the League Cup.
Season overview [ ]
Following a club record 8–0 defeat at Leyton Orient on 15 October, Roger Brown was dismissed from his position as manager . With the club bottom of the entire Football League for the first time since 1972, Steve Foley once again stepped up as caretaker manager . Under Foley's stewardship, the U's embarked on a successful FA Cup run, where they defeated Third Division Fulham and Second Division Swansea City and Shrewsbury Town . However, Third Division Sheffield United won 2–0 in a replay at Layer Road to progress to the fifth round.
Just weeks after signing for the club for £35,000, Paul McGee was sold to Wimbledon for a club record fee of £150,000, representing a huge profit in a short period of time.
Incoming as Brown's replacement was former Rangers manager Jock Wallace , with England World Cup winner Alan Ball his assistant. The impact of Wallace's appointment was instantaneous, with crowds rising over 3,500 the town became gripped by his passion and desire to avoid relegation to the Conference .
On 29 April, the U's travelled to their closest rivals Darlington , a game which Colchester won 2–1 thanks to a Robert Scott goal. The win lifted Colchester off the bottom of the league table for the first time since Brown's departure, and two successive home wins against Halifax Town and Exeter City confirmed Colchester's Fourth Division status for another year.
Meanwhile, in the League Cup , Colchester suffered an early exit following a 0–0 draw at home to Northampton Town and then a 5–0 hammering at the County Ground in the return leg. In the Associate Members' Cup , Colchester won their two group stage games against Lincoln City and Southend United , before regaining some pride by beating Leyton Orient at Layer Road to progress to the area quarter-final. They were then beaten 1–0 by visitors Hereford United .[5]
Players [ ]
As of match played 13 May 1989. [6]
Name
Position
Nationality
Place of birth
Date of birth
Apps
Goals
Signed from
Date signed
Fee
Goalkeepers
Mark Walton
GK
Merthyr Tydfil
(1969-06-01 ) 1 June 1969 (aged 19)
24
0
Luton Town
26 December 1987[a]
£17,500
Defenders
Phil Coleman
FB
Woolwich
(1960-09-08 ) 8 September 1960 (aged 27)
105
7
MyPa
December 1988
Free transfer
Scott Daniels
CB
South Benfleet
(1969-11-22 ) 22 November 1969 (aged 18)
1
0
Apprentice
23 April 1988[b]
Free transfer
Tony English
DF /MF
Luton
(1966-10-19 ) 19 October 1966 (aged 21)
166
23
Coventry City
24 December 1984
Free transfer
Stuart Hicks
CB
Peterborough
(1967-05-30 ) 30 May 1967 (aged 21)
7
0
Wisbech Town
March 1988
Free transfer
Colin Hill
CB
Uxbridge
(1963-11-12 ) 12 November 1963 (aged 24)
30
1
Marítimo
30 October 1987[b]
Undisclosed
John Pollard
CB
Chelmsford
(1971-11-17 ) 17 November 1971 (aged 16)
0
0
Apprentice
5 May 1989[b]
Free transfer
Rodney Rooke
FB
Orsett
(1970-04-07 ) 7 April 1970 (aged 18)
0
0
Apprentice
Summer 1988
Non-contract
Robert Scott
FB
Broxburn
(1964-01-13 ) 13 January 1964 (aged 24)
0
0
Whitburn Junior
24 March 1989[b]
Free transfer
Clive Stafford
FB
Ipswich
(1963-04-04 ) 4 April 1963 (aged 25)
0
0
Diss Town
February 1989
Unknown
Midfielders
Mark Radford
MF
Leicester
(1968-12-20 ) 20 December 1968 (aged 19)
16
0
Apprentice
26 January 1987[b]
Free transfer
Les Taylor
MF
North Shields
(1956-12-04 ) 4 December 1956 (aged 31)
0
0
Reading
January 1989
£20,000
Richard Wilkins
MF /DF
Lambeth
(1965-05-28 ) 28 May 1965 (aged 23)
84
15
Haverhill Rovers
18 November 1986[b]
Undisclosed
Forwards
Ian Allinson
WG
Hitchin
(1957-10-01 ) 1 October 1957 (aged 30)
363
82
Luton Town
16 December 1988[c]
Free transfer
Gary Bennett
WG
Enfield Town
(1970-11-13 ) 13 November 1970 (aged 17)
0
0
Tottenham Hotpsur
21 October 1988[b]
Free transfer
Steve Restarick
FW
Barking
(1971-11-28 ) 28 November 1971 (aged 16)
0
0
West Ham United
Early 1988–89 season
Free transfer
Mario Walsh
FW
Paddington
(1966-01-19 ) 19 January 1966 (aged 22)
15
2
Torquay United
Summer 1987
£15,000
^ Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game in his third spell for the club
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game for the club
^ Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game in his second spell for the club
Transfers [ ]
In [ ]
Total spending: ~ £55,000
^ Jump up to: a b c d Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game for the club
^ Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game in his second spell for the club
Out [ ]
Total incoming: ~ £267,500
^ Joined as player-coach
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Date of departure refers to the date of the player's final game for the club
^ Joined as player-manager
^ Joined Chesterfield as coach
^ Date of departure refers to the date of the player's final game in his first spell for the club
Loans in [ ]
Date
Position
Nationality
Name
From
End date
Ref.
24 October 1988
MF
Tony Kelly
West Bromwich Albion
21 January 1989
[35] [a]
February 1989
GK
Tom McAlister
West Ham United
1 May 1989
[36] [a]
^ Jump up to: a b Loan end date refers to the date of the player's final game for the club
Loans out [ ]
Date
Position
Nationality
Name
To
End date
Ref.
December 1988
FB
Dave Swindlehurst
Peterborough United
December 1988
[10]
Match details [ ]
Fourth Division [ ]
Results round by round [ ]
Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 Ground H A H A H A H A H A H A H A A H H A A H H A H A A H A H H A H A A H A H H A A A H H A H H A Result W D L D W L L W L L L L D L L D L L D L L D L L D D W W D L W L L D L W D L D D D W W W W W Position 8 1 9 12 10 12 16 11 17 21 21 22 22 23 23 22 23 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 23 23 23 22
Source:
11v11.com A = Away;
H = Home;
W = Win;
D = Draw;
L = Loss
League table [ ]
20
Stockport County
46
10
21
15
54
52
+2
51
21
Halifax Town
46
13
11
22
69
75
−6
50
22
Colchester United
46
12
14
20
60
78
−18
50
23
Doncaster Rovers
46
13
10
23
49
78
−29
49
24
Darlington
46
8
18
20
53
76
−23
42
Relegated to Conference
Source:[citation needed ]
Matches [ ]
Colchester United v York City
27 August 1988 (1988-08-27 ) 1 Colchester United 1–0 York City show Colchester 15:00 BST
Tempest 58' Barnett
Report
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 1,664 Referee: R Pawley
Tranmere Rovers v Colchester United
2 September 1988 (1988-09-02 ) 2 Tranmere Rovers 0–0 Colchester United show Birkenhead
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 3,401 Referee: Keith Cooper
Wrexham v Colchester United
16 September 1988 (1988-09-16 ) 4 Wrexham 2–2 Colchester United show Wrexham
Hunter 55' Cooper 68'
Report
Swindlehurst 17' Tempest 83'
Stadium: Racecourse Ground Attendance: 2,873 Referee: R Hamer
Colchester United v Scarborough
Burnley v Colchester United
24 September 1988 (1988-09-24 ) 6 Burnley 2–0 Colchester United show Burnley
Rowell 43' O'Connell 55'
Report
Stadium: Turf Moor Attendance: 7,177 Referee: Alan Wilkie
Colchester United v Lincoln City
Carlisle United v Colchester United
4 October 1988 (1988-10-04 ) 8 Carlisle United 1–2 Colchester United show Carlisle
Sendall 48'
Report
Tempest 47' Swindlehurst 61'
Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 2,193 Referee: A Simmons
Colchester United v Scunthorpe United
Leyton Orient v Colchester United
Colchester United v Cambridge United
21 October 1988 (1988-10-21 ) 11 Colchester United 1–2 Cambridge United show Colchester 19:30 BST
English 88'
Report
Anderson 65' , 79'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 2,138 Referee: G Pooley
Rotherham United v Colchester United
25 October 1988 (1988-10-25 ) 12 Rotherham United 2–0 Colchester United show Rotherham
Green 48' Williamson 90'
Report
Stadium: Millmoor Attendance: 4,066 Referee: John Lloyd
Colchester United v Stockport County
Crewe Alexandra v Colchester United
4 November 1988 (1988-11-04 ) 14 Crewe Alexandra 3–1 Colchester United show Crewe
Gardiner 13' Edwards 63' Callaghan 76'
Report
Walsh 9'
Stadium: Gresty Road Attendance: 2,787 Referee: David Allison
Halifax Town v Colchester United
8 November 1988 (1988-11-08 ) 15 Halifax Town 3–2 Colchester United show Halifax
Martin 42' McPhillips 45' (pen. ) , 87'
Report
Kelly 13' Wilkins 84'
Stadium: The Shay Attendance: 2,176 Referee: Joe Timmons
Colchester United v Darlington
25 November 1988 (1988-11-25 ) 17 Colchester United 1–2 Darlington show Colchester 19:30 GMT
Radford 72'
Report
Worthington 26' (pen. ) , 62'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 1,550 Referee: Tony Ward
Exeter City v Colchester United
Rochdale v Colchester United
Colchester United v Peterborough United
26 December 1988 (1988-12-26 ) 20 Colchester United 1–2 Peterborough United show Colchester 15:00 GMT
Walsh 65'
Report
Gunn 44' (pen. ) McElhinney 87'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 2,828 Referee: I Hemley
Colchester United v Hartlepool United
30 December 1988 (1988-12-30 ) 21 Colchester United 1–2 Hartlepool United show Colchester 19:30 GMT
English 45'
Report
Borthwick 67' Stokes 78'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 2,359 Referee: Vic Callow
Grimsby Town v Colchester United
Colchester United v Tranmere Rovers
13 January 1989 (1989-01-13 ) 23 Colchester United 2–3 Tranmere Rovers show Colchester 19:30 GMT
Walsh 16' , 50'
Report
McCarrick 53' Harvey 61' Vickers 89'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,458 Referee: M James
York City v Colchester United
Scarborough v Colchester United
4 February 1989 (1989-02-04 ) 25 Scarborough 0–0 Colchester United show Scarborough
Report
Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,913 Referee: Keith Hackett
Colchester United v Burnley
10 February 1989 (1989-02-10 ) 26 Colchester United 2–2 Burnley show Colchester 19:30 GMT
Allinson 62' Walsh 74'
Report
White 14' , 16' (pen. )
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,809 Referee: M Bailey
Scunthorpe United v Colchester United
Colchester United v Leyton Orient
24 February 1989 (1989-02-24 ) 28 Colchester United 1–0 Leyton Orient show Colchester 19:30 GMT
Allinson 20'
Report
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,269 Referee: Ian Borrett
Colchester United v Rotherham United
28 February 1989 (1989-02-28 ) 29 Colchester United 1–1 Rotherham United show Colchester 19:30 GMT
Allinson 81'
Report
Grealish 27'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,671 Referee: D Hedges
Cambridge United v Colchester United
5 March 1989 (1989-03-05 ) 30 Cambridge United 3–1 Colchester United show Cambridge
Taylor 32' Leadbitter 42' Ryan 53'
Report
Wilkins 30'
Stadium: Abbey Stadium Attendance: 4,205 Referee: J Moules
Colchester United v Crewe Alexandra
10 March 1989 (1989-03-10 ) 31 Colchester United 2–1 Crewe Alexandra show Colchester 19:30 GMT
English 19' , 82'
Report
Murphy 43'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,088 Referee: A Seville
Stockport County v Colchester United
13 March 1989 (1989-03-13 ) 32 Stockport County 1–0 Colchester United show Stockport
Cooke 49'
Report
Stadium: Edgeley Park Attendance: 2,027 Referee: George Courtney
Colchester United v Grimsby Town
24 March 1989 (1989-03-24 ) 34 Colchester United 0–0 Grimsby Town show Colchester 19:30 GMT
Report
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,507 Referee: Alan Gunn
Peterborough United v Colchester United
27 March 1989 (1989-03-27 ) 35 Peterborough United 3–0 Colchester United show Peterborough
Hetzke 34' (o.g. ) Longhurst 85' , 90'
Report
Hetzke 88'
Stadium: London Road Stadium Attendance: 3,529 Referee: D Reeves
Colchester United v Rochdale
Colchester United v Hereford United
4 April 1989 (1989-04-04 ) 37 Colchester United 1–1 Hereford United show Colchester 19:30 BST
English 35'
Report
Bradley 27'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 2,862 Referee: I Hemley
Hartlepool United v Colchester United
8 April 1989 (1989-04-08 ) 38 Hartlepool United 2–1 Colchester United show Hartlepool
Tinkler 47' Barker 69'
Report
Scott 66'
Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 2,015 Referee: I Hendrick
Hereford United v Colchester United
12 April 1989 (1989-04-12 ) 39 Hereford United 1–1 Colchester United show Hereford
McLoughlin 85'
Report
Scott 44'
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 2,015 Referee: Roger Gifford
Lincoln City v Colchester United
Colchester United v Carlisle United
21 April 1989 (1989-04-21 ) 41 Colchester United 1–1 Carlisle United show Colchester 19:30 BST
Scott 90'
Report
Proudlock 44'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,906 Referee: Brian Hill
Colchester United v Wrexham
25 April 1989 (1989-04-25 ) 42 Colchester United 2–1 Wrexham show Colchester
Allinson 26' Hetzke 88'
Report
Russell 40' Buxton 73'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 2,918 Referee: Kelvin Morton
Darlington v Colchester United
29 April 1989 (1989-04-29 ) 43 Darlington 1–2 Colchester United show Darlington
Bonnyman 21' (pen. )
Report
Walsh 39' Scott 66'
Stadium: Feethams Attendance: 7,126 Referee: Keith Hackett
Colchester United v Halifax Town
Colchester United v Exeter City
League Cup [ ]
Colchester United v Northampton Town
Northampton Town v Colchester United
FA Cup [ ]
Fulham v Colcheter United
19 November 1988 (1988-11-19 ) 1st round Fulham 0–1 Colcheter United show Fulham
Report
Walsh 10'
Stadium: Craven Cottage Attendance: 4,481 Referee: J Moules
Colchester United v Swansea City
Swansea City v Colchester United
Shrewsbury Town v Colchester United
7 January 1989 (1989-01-07 ) 3rd round Shrewsbury Town 0–3 Colchester United show Shrewsbury
Report
Walsh 17' Pratley 47' (o.g. ) Allinson 85' (pen. )
Stadium: Gay Meadow Attendance: 3,982 Referee: R Nixon
Sheffield United v Colchester United
Colchester United v Sheffield United
31 January 1989 (1989-01-31 ) 4th round replay Colchester United 0–2 Sheffield United show Colchester 19:30 GMT
Report
Deane 3' , 76'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 7,588 Referee: Alan Gunn
Associate Members' Cup [ ]
Team
Pts
Pld
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Colchester United (Q)
6
2
2
0
0
4
2
+2
Southend United (Q)
3
2
1
0
1
3
3
0
Lincoln City
0
2
0
0
2
2
4
-2
(Q) Qualified for next round
Lincoln City v Colchester United
Colchester United v Southend United
Colchester United v Leyton Orient
Colchester United v Hereford United
Squad statistics [ ]
Appearances and goals [ ]
[6] [37]
Goalscorers [ ]
[37]
Disciplinary record [ ]
[38]
Nationality
Position
Name
Fourth Division
FA Cup
League Cup
Football League Trophy
Total
MF
Dave Barnett
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
CB
Steve Hetzke
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
FW
Mario Walsh
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
TOTALS
1
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
4
Clean sheets [ ]
Number of games goalkeepers kept a clean sheet .[39]
Place
Nationality
Player
Fourth Division
FA Cup
League Cup
Football League Trophy
Total
1
Tom McAlister
4
0
0
0
4
Mark Walton
3
0
1
0
4
3
Mark Coombe
0
1
0
0
1
TOTALS
7
1
1
0
9
Player debuts [ ]
Players making their first-team Colchester United debut in a fully competitive match.[40]
See also [ ]
References [ ]
General [ ]
Books
Whitehead, Jeff; Drury, Kevin (2008). The Who's Who of Colchester United: The Layer Road Years . Derby: Breedon Books. ISBN 978-1-85983-629-3 .
Websites
Specific [ ]
show National teams
League competitions
Levels 1–4 Level 5 Levels 6–7 Levels 8–9
Isthmian League (Two North , Two South )
Combined Counties League (level 8 only )
Eastern Counties League (Premier , One )
Essex Senior League (level 8 only )
Hellenic League (Premier , One )
Kent League (level 8 only )
Midland Football Combination (level 8 only )
North West Counties League (One , Two )
Northern Counties East League (Premier , One )
Northern League (One , Two )
South Midlands League (Premier , One )
(, )
Sussex County League (One , Two )
United Counties League (Premier , One )
Wessex League (level 8 only )
West Midlands (Regional) League (level 8 only )
Western League (Premier , One )
Cup competitions
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