2007–08 Colchester United F.C. season

Season Review

Ahead of United's largely unexpected second season in the Championship, Jamie Cureton, Chris Iwelumo, Wayne Brown and Richard Garcia all left on a rather sour note in the summer. Lack of ambition, for that read wages, cited as the reason. Cureton fetched £850,000 from Norwich prompting boss Geraint Williams to smash the clubs own record by paying a reported £300,000 for MK Dons' Clive Platt. On the same day he spent another six figure sum on Mark Yeates and news broke that England legend Teddy Sheringham would be donning a blue and white shirt.

Robbie Cowling's move from owner to Chairman prompted an about turn where agents were concerned. He admitted that if Colchester were to compete then they would have to use agents. Peter Heard stepped down after 16 tremendous years as Chairman to become Life President.

Life was tougher and so-called second-season syndrome set in. Layer Road had been a fortress but proved easy pickings in 2007/8. Williams failed to find an adequate replacement for Brown and his defence leaked goals all season. Platt and Cureton's replacement Kevin Lisbie had no trouble scoring as United maintained their ability in the opponents' box. It was pretty clear by Christmas that United would be in a relegation battle particularly after a dismal home defeat to Blackpool.

Cowling made funds available during the January transfer window with Chris Coyne arriving for another record £300,000 with £250,000 spent on both Phil Ifil and Dean Hammond. The rot was briefly stopped but a series of injuries and inability to win any of a batch of five home games in seven left United bottom.

They could have been relegated on 5 April 2008 but a 2-0 win over Ipswich ensured that it wouldn't be U's neighbours applying the final nail. The inevitable happened four days later when, without playing, relegation was confirmed. They also had the worst defensive record in the division, conceding a staggering 86 goals and keeping just two clean sheets all season.

Layer Road hosted its last ever League game on 26 April 2008, just over 70 years after its first, when The U's lost 1-0 to a Stoke City side on its way to the Premier League. The Old Lady had been nursed through many seasons but was long past its use-by date. Chief Executive Marie Partner bid a sad farewell to Layer Road as she ceremonially locked the gates for the last time. An auction of memorabilia followed with the Clock End timepiece being a much sought after lot. Other items to sell included patches of turf, a tea hut, a complete set of seating and the entire Family Enclosure structure.

Squad

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

Championship Results Summary

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Championship Results Round by Round

Source: [1]
Ground: A = Away; H = Home. Result: D = Draw; L = Loss; W = Win; P = Postponed.

Most Frequent Starting XI

This section shows players in a 4-4-2 formation with the most league starts during the season.