Colchester United 1998–99 football season
Colchester United 1998–99 season Chairman Peter Heard [1] Manager Steve Wignall (until 21 January)Steve Whitton (caretaker) (21 January until 28 January)Mick Wadsworth (from 28 January)Stadium Layer Road Second Division 18th FA Cup 1st round (eliminated byBedlington Terriers ) League Cup 1st round (eliminated byAFC Bournemouth ) Football League Trophy 1st round (southern section) (eliminated by Gillingham ) Top goalscorer League: David Gregory (11) All: David Gregory (14) Highest home attendance 6,554 v Manchester City , 20 March 1999[2] Lowest home attendance 1,742 v Gillingham , 5 December 1998[3] Average home league attendance 4,303[4] Biggest win 4–2 v Wrexham , 15 August 1998 3–1 v Notts County , 21 November 1998 Biggest defeat 0–4 v Burnley , 9 October 1998 1–5 v Gillingham , 5 December 1998
The 1998–99 season was Colchester United's 57th season in their history and their first season back in the third tier of English football , the Second Division , following promotion via the play-offs in the previous season. Alongside competing in the Second Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup , the League Cup and the Football League Trophy .
After a reasonable start to the season, manager Steve Wignall quit in January expressing that he had taken the club as far as he could. Mick Wadsworth was appointed his replacement and duly brought in a number of new players on permanent and loan contracts. Colchester finished the season in 18th position, two points clear of the relegation zone.
The U's were ignominiously dumped out of the FA Cup in the first round by non-League outfit Bedlington Terriers . They also suffered first round exits in the League Cup and Football League Trophy to AFC Bournemouth and Gillingham respectively.
Season overview [ ]
Following promotion from the Third Division, Steve Wignall had a huge task ahead of him to keep Colchester in the division. The league boasted Manchester City and Stoke City amongst its ranks, as well as Kevin Keegan 's Fulham during Mohamed Al-Fayed 's ownership during their rise to the Premier League .
Wignall's side had a reasonable start to the campaign, but were dumped out of the League Cup and Football League Trophy at the first round stages. The U's then faced a trip to non-League side Bedlington Terriers in the FA Cup first round. Bedlington held a 2–0 lead after 23 minutes and eventually held a 4–0 lead after 86 minutes, before Tony Adcock scored a late consolation goal. Following this, Colchester one just one game in their next nine matches.
In January 1999, seven days after handing raw forward Lomana LuaLua his debut, Wignall quit the club, citing that he had taken the team as far as he could and left frustrated at the role agents were playing in deals he had been trying to set up. Assistant manager Steve Whitton stepped up as caretaker manager before Mick Wadsworth was named the new manager of Colchester United. He kept Whitton on as assistant and brought in a number of new players.
The club survived relegation by two points, ending the campaign in 18th place. Crowds had risen to an average of 4,479, but swingeing cuts were made to the playing staff at the end of the season.[5]
Players [ ]
As of match played 8 May 1999. [6]
Name
Position
Nationality
Place of birth
Date of birth
Apps
Goals
Signed from
Date signed
Fee
Goalkeepers
Carl Emberson
GK
Epsom
(1973-07-13 ) 13 July 1973 (aged 24)
185
0
Millwall
6 July 1994
£25,000
Tamer Fernandes
GK
Paddington
(1974-12-07 ) 7 December 1974 (aged 23)
0
0
Peterborough United
28 January 1998
Free transfer
Andy Walker
GK
Bexleyheath
(1981-09-30 ) 30 September 1981 (aged 16)
0
0
Youth team
1 August 1998
Free transfer
Defenders
Simon Betts
FB
Middlesbrough
(1973-03-03 ) 3 March 1973 (aged 25)
195
11
Scarborough
11 December 1992
Free transfer
Joe Dunne
FB
Dublin
(1973-05-25 ) 25 May 1973 (aged 25)
80
4
Gillingham
27 March 1996
Free transfer
David Greene
CB
Luton
(1973-10-26 ) 26 October 1973 (aged 24)
118
9
Luton Town
21 June 1996
£30,000
Nicky Haydon
DF /MF
Barking
(1978-08-10 ) 10 August 1978 (aged 19)
21
1
Youth team
1 August 1995
Free transfer
Sean Hillier
DF
Clacton-on-Sea
(1981-09-11 ) 11 September 1981 (aged 16)
0
0
Youth team
1 August 1998
Free transfer
Stéphane Pounewatchy
CB
Paris
(1968-02-10 ) 10 February 1968 (aged 30)
0
0
Port Vale
18 February 1999
Monthly contract
Fabrice Richard
FB
Saintes
(1973-08-16 ) 16 August 1973 (aged 24)
0
0
AS Cannes
18 March 1999
Free transfer
Scott Stamps
FB
Edgbaston
(1975-03-20 ) 20 March 1975 (aged 23)
40
1
Torquay United
26 March 1997
£15,000
Midfielders
Warren Aspinall
MF
Wigan
(1967-09-13 ) 13 September 1967 (aged 30)
6
0
Brentford
25 March 1999
Undisclosed
Paul Buckle
MF
Hatfield
(1970-12-16 ) 16 December 1970 (aged 27)
74
8
Wycombe Wanderers
28 November 1996
Free transfer
Jason Dozzell
MF
Ipswich
(1967-12-09 ) 9 December 1967 (aged 30)
0
0
Northampton Town
15 October 1998
Non-contract
Karl Duguid
MF
Letchworth
(1978-03-21 ) 21 March 1978 (aged 20)
70
7
Youth team
9 December 1995[a]
Free transfer
Steve Forbes
MF
Stoke Newington
(1975-12-24 ) 24 December 1975 (aged 22)
44
3
Millwall
14 March 1997
Free transfer
David Gregory
MF
Sudbury
(1970-01-23 ) 23 January 1970 (aged 28)
112
11
Peterborough United
8 December 1995
Free transfer
Sam Okafor
MF
Xtiam
(1982-03-17 ) 17 March 1982 (aged 16)
0
0
Youth team
1 August 1998
Free transfer
Dave Rainford
MF
Stepney
(1979-04-21 ) 21 April 1979 (aged 19)
0
0
Youth team
July 1997
Free transfer
Aaron Skelton
MF /DF
Welwyn Garden City
(1974-11-22 ) 22 November 1974 (aged 23)
48
7
Luton Town
3 July 1997
Free transfer
Richard Wilkins
MF /DF
Lambeth
(1965-05-28 ) 28 May 1965 (aged 33)
273
39
Hereford United
3 July 1996
£17,500
Geraint Williams
MF
Treorchy
(1962-01-05 ) 5 January 1962 (aged 36)
0
0
Ipswich Town
6 July 1998
Free transfer
Forwards
Paul Abrahams
FW /WG
Colchester
(1973-10-31 ) 31 October 1973 (aged 24)
149
31
Brentford
23 October 1996
£20,000
Tony Adcock
FW
Bethnal Green
(1963-03-27 ) 27 March 1963 (aged 35)
346
148
Luton Town
3 August 1995
Free transfer
Neil Gregory
FW
Ndola
(1972-10-07 ) 7 October 1972 (aged 25)
18
7
Ipswich Town
26 March 1998
£50,000
Tony Lock
FW
Harlow
(1976-09-03 ) 3 September 1976 (aged 21)
51
8
Apprentice
28 January 1995[a]
Free transfer
Lomana LuaLua
FW
Kinshasa
(1980-12-28 ) 28 December 1980 (aged 17)
0
0
Leyton Sixth Form College
1 September 1998
Non-contract
KK Opara
FW
Owerri
(1981-12-21 ) 21 December 1981 (aged 16)
0
0
Youth team
1 September 1998
Free transfer
Mark Sale
FW
Burton upon Trent
(1972-02-27 ) 27 February 1972 (aged 26)
61
11
Mansfield Town
10 March 1997
£23,500
^ Jump up to: a b Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game for the club
Transfers [ ]
In [ ]
Total spending: ~ £0
Out [ ]
Total incoming: ~ £0
^ Date of departure refers to the date of the player's final game for the club
Loans in [ ]
^ Loan start and end dates refer to the date of the player's first and final games in his second spell for the club
Loans out [ ]
Match details [ ]
Second 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 A H A H A H A A A H H A H A H A H H A H A A H H A H A H A H A H A H A H A H H A Result W W L L L W D D D W L L L D L D W W D D D L L D L L D D W W D D D D L L L W L W L W D W L L Position 8 3 5 11 12 9 12 12 12 10 12 16 17 18 20 19 18 14 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 18 17 18 17 15 15 15 16 16 16 17 17 15 17 17 18 15 18 16 17 18
Source:
11v11.com A = Away;
H = Home;
W = Win;
D = Draw;
L = Loss
League table [ ]
16
Notts County
46
14
12
20
52
61
52
54
17
Wrexham
46
13
14
19
43
62
43
53
18
Colchester United
46
12
16
18
52
70
52
52
19
Wycombe Wanderers
46
13
12
21
52
58
52
51
20
Oldham Athletic
46
14
9
23
48
66
48
51
Source:[citation needed ] Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
Matches [ ]
Colchester United v Chesterfield
8 August 1998 (1998-08-08 ) 1 Colchester United 1–0 Chesterfield show Colchester 15:00 BST
Sale 90'
Report
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,042 Referee: Paul Danson
Wrexham v Colchester United
Colchester United v Fulham
22 August 1998 (1998-08-22 ) 3 Colchester United 0–1 Fulham show Colchester 15:00 BST
Report
Collins 82'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 6,377 Referee: Steve Bennett
Luton Town v Colchester United
29 August 1998 (1998-08-29 ) 4 Luton Town 2–0 Colchester United show Luton 15:00 BST
Douglas 61' Davis 81' Johnson 53'
Report
Stadium: Kenilworth Road Attendance: 5,005 Referee: Roger Furnandiz
Colchester United v Stoke City
31 August 1998 (1998-08-31 ) 5 Colchester United 0–1 Stoke City show Colchester 15:00 BST
Kavanagh 78'
Report
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,728 Referee: Paul Taylor
York City v Colchester United
Wigan Athletic v Colchester United
8 September 1998 (1998-09-08 ) 7 Wigan Athletic 1–1 Colchester United show Wigan
Lee 86'
Report
Sale 62'
Stadium: Springfield Park Attendance: 2,784 Referee: Anthony Bates
Colchester United v Gillingham
Reading v Colchester United
19 September 1998 (1998-09-19 ) 9 Reading 1–1 Colchester United show Reading
Williams 17'
Report
Duguid 89'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium Attendance: 9,058 Referee: D Pugh
Colchester United v Wycombe Wanderers
Oldham Athletic v Colchester United
3 October 1998 (1998-10-03 ) 11 Oldham Athletic 1–0 Colchester United show Oldham
Rickers 20'
Report
Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 4,231 Referee: B Coddington
Colchester United v Burnley
9 October 1998 (1998-10-09 ) 12 Colchester United 0–4 Burnley show Colchester 19:45 BST
Report
Payton 2' , 11' Vindheim 50' Cooke 72'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 5,532 Referee: D Crick
Preston North End v Colchester United
17 October 1998 (1998-10-17 ) 13 Preston North End 2–0 Colchester United show Preston
Eyres 12' Nogan 39'
Report
Stadium: Deepdale Attendance: 10,483 Referee: Phil Dowd
Walsall v Colchester United
20 October 1998 (1998-10-20 ) 14 Walsall 1–1 Colchester United show Walsall
Platt 47'
Report
Lock 87'
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 3,319 Referee: Graham Laws
Manchester City v Colchester United
31 October 1998 (1998-10-31 ) 15 Manchester City 2–1 Colchester United show Manchester 15:00 GMT
Horlock 50' (pen. ) Morrison 53'
Report
Dozzell 59'
Stadium: Maine Road Attendance: 24,820 Referee: Mike Pike
Colchester United v Macclesfield Town
Colchester United v Northampton Town
10 November 1998 (1998-11-10 ) 17 Colchester United 1–0 Northampton Town show Colchester 19:45 GMT
88'
Report
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,597 Referee: Roger Furnandiz
Notts County v Colchester United
Colchester United v Millwall
28 November 1998 (1998-11-28 ) 19 Colchester United 0–0 Millwall show Colchester 15:00 GMT
Report
Nethercott 40'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,476 Referee: Andy Hall
Lincoln City v Colchester United
Colchester United v Blackpool
Fulham v Colchester United
26 December 1998 (1998-12-26 ) 22 Fulham 2–0 Colchester United show Fulham 12:00 GMT
Smith 26' Hayles 72' (pen. )
Report
Emberson 72'
Stadium: Craven Cottage Attendance: 11,939 Referee: Peter Walton
Colchester United v Bristol Rovers
28 December 1998 (1998-12-28 ) 23 Colchester United 0–3 Bristol Rovers show Colchester 13:00 GMT
Report
Cureton 2' Roberts 44' Ipoua 84' Shore 69'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,609 Referee: Keith Hill
Colchester United v Luton Town
Chesterfield v Colchester United
9 January 1999 (1999-01-09 ) 25 Chesterfield 3–1 Colchester United show Chesterfield
Wilkinson 61' Howard 68' Reeves 81'
Report
LuaLua 75'
Stadium: Saltergate Attendance: 3,761 Referee:
Colchester United v Wrexham
15 January 1999 (1999-01-15 ) 26 Colchester United 1–3 Wrexham show Colchester 19:45 GMT
Wilkins 15'
Report
Whitley 9' Haydon 11' (o.g. ) Griffiths 24'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,491 Referee: Steve Bennett
Stoke City v Colchester United
Bristol Rovers v Colchester United
30 January 1999 (1999-01-30 ) 28 Bristol Rovers 1–1 Colchester United show Bristol
Roberts 28'
Report
D. Gregory 88' (pen. )
Stadium: Memorial Stadium Attendance: 6,249 Referee: P Richards
Colchester United v York City
5 February 1999 (1999-02-05 ) 29 Colchester United 2–1 York City show Colchester 19:45 GMT
Betts 1' Greene 4'
Report
Cresswell 74' (pen. )
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,982 Referee: Paul Rejer
Colchester United v Wigan Athletic
12 February 1999 (1999-02-12 ) 30 Colchester United 2–1 Wigan Athletic show Colchester 19:45 GMT
Wilkins 22' D. Gregory 28'
Report
Sharp 70'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,934 Referee: M Fletcher
Gillingham v Colchester United
20 February 1999 (1999-02-20 ) 31 Gillingham 1–1 Colchester United show Gillingham 15:00 GMT
Asaba 22' 41'
Report
Duguid 64' Greene 41'
Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 7,276 Referee: J Kirkby
Colchester United v Reading
Wycombe Wanderers v Colchester United
6 March 1999 (1999-03-06 ) 33 Wycombe Wanderers 2–2 Colchester United show High Wycombe 15:00 GMT
Baird 57' Scott 75'
Report
Dozzell 18' D. Gregory 90' (pen. )
Stadium: Adams Park Attendance: 4,670 Referee: Fraser Stretton
Colchester United v Oldham Athletic
Macclesfield Town v Colchester United
13 March 1999 (1999-03-13 ) 35 Macclesfield Town 2–0 Colchester United show Macclesfield
Landon 65' Bailey 90'
Report
Stadium: Moss Rose Attendance: 2,796 Referee: B Coddington
Colchester United v Manchester City
20 March 1999 (1999-03-20 ) 36 Colchester United 0–1 Manchester City show Colchester 18:00 GMT
Report
Goater 55'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 6,554 Referee: Rob Styles
AFC Bournemouth v Colchester United
27 March 1999 (1999-03-27 ) 37 AFC Bournemouth 2–1 Colchester United show Bournemouth 12:00 GMT
Warren 35' Hughes 40'
Report
Greene 20'
Stadium: Dean Court Attendance: 6,442 Referee: M Pierce
Colchester United v Preston North End
2 April 1999 (1999-04-02 ) 38 Colchester United 1–0 Preston North End show Colchester 19:45 BST
Aspinall 78'
Report
Clement 51'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 5,644 Referee: P Robinson
Burnley v Colchester United
5 April 1999 (1999-04-05 ) 39 Burnley 3–1 Colchester United show Burnley
Johnrose 57' Payton 82' , 89'
Report
D. Gregory 26' LuaLua 54'
Stadium: Turf Moor Attendance: 10,747 Referee: G Cain
Colchester United v Walsall
10 April 1999 (1999-04-10 ) 40 Colchester United 1–0 Walsall show Colchester 15:00 BST
Greene 45'
Report
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,082 Referee: Mark Halsey
Millwall v Colchester United
14 April 1999 (1999-04-14 ) 41 Millwall 2–0 Colchester United show Bermondsey
Grant 1' , 16' (pen. )
Report
Stadium: The Den Attendance: 4,686 Referee: Lee Cable
Colchester United v Notts County
16 April 1999 (1999-04-16 ) 42 Colchester United 2–1 Notts County show Colchester 19:45 BST
Buckle 37' Aspinall 86' (pen. )
Report
Stallard 7'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,215 Referee: D Crick
Northampton Town v Colchester United
24 April 1999 (1999-04-24 ) 43 Northampton Town 3–3 Colchester United show Northampton 15:00 BST
Savage 18' Corazzin 41' (pen. ) Howey 63'
Report
Buckle 3' Aspinall 47' (pen. ) Duguid 71'
Stadium: Sixfields Stadium Attendance: 6,146 Referee: G Frankland
Colchester United v AFC Bournemouth
27 April 1999 (1999-04-27 ) 44 Colchester United 2–1 AFC Bournemouth show Colchester 19:45 BST
Hayter 11' (o.g. ) Dozzell 67'
Report
Greene 34' (o.g. )
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,168 Referee: Lee Cable
Colchester United v Lincoln City
1 May 1999 (1999-05-01 ) 45 Colchester United 1–3 Lincoln City show Colchester 15:00 BST
Duguid 49'
Report
Gordon 43' Thorpe 44' , 75'
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,613 Referee: Andy Hall
Blackpool v Colchester United
[ ]
AFC Bournemouth v Colchester United
11 August 1998 (1998-08-11 ) 1st round 1st leg AFC Bournemouth 2–0 Colchester United show Bournemouth
Robinson 16' Howe 87'
Report
Stadium: Dean Court Attendance: 3,745 Referee: Clive Wilkes
Colchester United v AFC Bournemouth
FA Cup [ ]
[ ]
Colchester United v Gillingham
Squad statistics [ ]
Appearances and goals [ ]
[6] [54]
Goalscorers [ ]
[54]
Disciplinary record [ ]
[55]
Clean sheets [ ]
Number of games goalkeepers kept a clean sheet .[56]
Place
Nationality
Player
Second Division
FA Cup
League Cup
Football League Trophy
Total
1
Carl Emberson
6
0
0
0
6
TOTALS
6
0
0
0
6
Player debuts [ ]
Players making their first-team Colchester United debut in a fully competitive match.[57]
Position
Nationality
Player
Date
Opponent
Ground
Notes
MF
Geraint Williams
8 August 1998
Chesterfield
Layer Road
CB
Ian Wiles
15 August 1998
Wrexham
Racecourse Ground
MF
Dave Rainford
5 September 1998
York City
Bootham Crescent
CB
Guy Branston
3 October 1998
Oldham Athletic
Boundary Park
[58] [a]
MF
Jason Dozzell
17 October 1998
Preston North End
Deepdale
CB
Keith Dublin
21 November 1998
Notts County
Meadow Lane
GK
Tamer Fernandes
2 January 1999
Luton Town
Layer Road
FW
Lomana LuaLua
9 January 1999
Chesterfield
Saltergate
MF
Warren Aspinall
20 February 1999
Gillingham
Priestfield Stadium
CB
Stéphane Pounewatchy
20 February 1999
Gillingham
Priestfield Stadium
FW
Bradley Allen
27 February 1999
Reading
Layer Road
MF
Fumaça
29 March 1999
Manchester City
Layer Road
MF
Warren Aspinall
27 March 1999
AFC Bournemouth
Dean Court
[59] [a]
MF
Brian Launders
27 March 1999
AFC Bournemouth
Dean Court
FB
Fabrice Richard
27 March 1999
AFC Bournemouth
Dean Court
FW
Steve Germain
2 April 1999
Preston North End
Layer Road
MF
Sam Okafor
8 May 1999
Blackpool
Bloomfield Road
FW
KK Opara
8 May 1999
Blackpool
Bloomfield Road
GK
Andy Walker
8 May 1999
Blackpool
Bloomfield Road
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
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Isthmian League (Two , Three )
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 Alliance (level 8 only )
Midland Football Combination (level 9 only )
North West Counties League (One , Two )
Northern Counties East League (Premier , One )
Northern League (One , Two )
Spartan South Midlands League (Premier , Senior )
Sussex County League (One , Two )
United Counties League (Premier , One )
Wessex League (level 8 only )
West Midlands (Regional) League (level 9 only )
Western League (Premier , One )
Cup competitions
FA cups Football League cups
European competitions