Alternative History - Colchester United

In 1937, the club formed as Colchester Town and they played lots of matches, but had to wait until 1950 to play their first official League game. Their promotion to the League came as a result of the excellent FA Cup run of 1948, when, as a non-league side, they beat three League sides (including First Division Huddersfield Town) to get to the 5th Round. They stayed in the lower reaches of the league for their early years and went the whole of the 1956-57 season in the Division 3 (South) unbeaten at home. In 1962 the club finished runners-up in Division 4 and have been going up and down between the bottom two divisions ever since.

1971 was the time that they came to modern prominence, thanks to the Grandad's Army side that shocked the footballing world by claiming their pensions on the Thursday and beating Leeds United 3-2 in the 5th Round of the FA Cup on the Saturday. Leeds were THE team of the time and it was a great performance by the U's, being 3-1 up at one stage. The dream died in the next round when they lost 0-5 to Everton, but reaching the quarter finals is still a record that they share for a Fourth Division team.

A couple of years after that they became the front runners of today's financial revolution by having the first commercially sponsored League match against Crewe Alexandra. The local paper put up money for the pre-match entertainment, but the effectiveness of the display of paper-folding was significantly reduced by a strong September summer breeze. Perhaps the Isley Brothers would have been a better option.

The club were at the top of the division when they sacked Mike Walker as manager in 1987 and more recently, the club have been through some lean times. 1990 saw them relegated to the Conference, although two years later they won that League and the FA Trophy to complete the non-league "Double". In 1997, Colchester reached the final of the Auto Windscreen Shield, but lost on penalties to Carlisle United.

They do have fun with their scoring though. In a game against Torquay United on New Year's Day 1996, they scored after only 15 seconds of the match and with the score at 2-2 nearing the final whistle, Colchester got the winner - 15 seconds from the end. At Layer Road in the 1999-2000 season against Bristol Rovers, the home side were 4-1 down, but came back to win by the odd goal in 11 with a last minute winner. Colchester are the only club in the League who have never featured in a 0-0 draw.

The arrival of Geraint Williams as manager in 2006 carried on the good work of Mick Wadsworth and helped the U's to their highest ever league placing in 2006-07.

FAMOUS PLAYERS : - Ray Crawford, Barry Huntley, Dick Palmer, Mike Walker (Dad of Ian), Mickey Cook

FAMOUS FANS : - Steve Lamacq (Radio OneFM DJ)

Formed	1937
Turned Professional	1937
Became a Limited Company	1937
Former names	-
Previous grounds	-
Nickname	"The U's"
Club Colours	HOME : Shirts - Blue and white striped shirts Shorts - Blue Socks - White AWAY : Shirts - Yellow Shorts - Blue Socks - Yellow
Record Football League Win	9-1 v Bradford City Division 4 30.12.1961
Record Football League Defeat	0-8 v Leyton Orient Div 4 15.10.1989
Record Cup Win	7-1 v Yeovil (away) FAC R2 11.12.1958 7-1 v Yeading FAC R1r 22.11.1994
Record Fee Paid	£300,000 to MK Dons for Clive PLATT (July 2007)
Record Fee Received	£2.25 million from Newcastle United for Lomano Tresor LUA-LUA (May 1999)
Record Football League Appearances	613 - Micky COOK (1969-84)
Record goalscorer in a season	38 - Bobby HUNT Division 4 (1961-62)
Record all-time goalscorer	130 - Martyn KING (1956-64)
Most goals in a match	4 - Bobby HUNT v Bradford City Division 4 30.12.1961 4 - Martyn KING v Bradford City Division 4 30.12.1961 4 - Bobby HUNT v Doncaster Rovers Division 4 30.4.1962
Record Attendance (all-time)	19,072 v Reading FA Cup R1 27.11.1948
Record Match Receipts	£26,330 v Barrow GM Vauxhall Conference 2.5.1992
Record total of goals in a League season	104 - Division 4 1961-62
Record League points total	3 points for a win : - 81 - Division 4 1982-83 2 points for a win : - 60 - Division 4 1973-74
Most Capped player while at club	-

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