"You know that was probably our peak.."

It’s Premiership versus League One on Tuesday night as Colchester United head to Sunderland for their Carling Cup second round tie, a fixture which most neutrals will see as a ‘cup final’ for Colchester United. But only three years and a half ago U’s fans will remember a very different story.



Sat, 21 Apr 2007 - Roy Keane assembled his premiership-bound charges to the almighty Layer Road. Jonny Evans, Stern John and Dwight Yorke lined up against little Colchester, punching well above their weight currently sitting 9th in England’s second tier of football. Loitering outside of the Drury, I look around; it’s the perfect day for football. Blue & White shirts streaming up a sun drenched Layer Road en route to a tired and decrepit Layer Road (to quote Jon Champion from ITV’s highlights programme) . Wayne Brown fired Colchester United ahead right of the cusp of half time, bad-tempered manager Roy Keane missed it due to heading down the tunnel as soon as the 4th officials board went up. No doubt Keane would have demanded to know what happened as his players joined him in the changing room minutes later. Sunderland hit back minutes after the restart through Trinidad and Tobago’s biggest export; Dwight Yorke. (Shaka Hislop was my favourite export until I discovered he was born in Hackney.) The fearless U’s went on to net 2 more goals, scored by Richard Garcia and Jamie Cureton.

I remember standing at work in a fish & chip shop a couple of hours after the game, temperature inside must have been 30°C at least.

I thought to myself; “This is it…Unless we somehow make the play-offs for the Premier League (which was still a possibility).”

As a spotty teenager in a red and white apron, I knew this was the peak for Colchester United. And it’s somewhat comforting now when I see the gulf in class between the two teams again. It’s what being a football league fan is all about, never expecting too much, and always thriving on being the under-dog.

Roy Keane walked out on Sunderland…..Surprisingly. Many of the squad he bought to Layer Road are with him at that club up the A12. Likewise the majority of our squad that day have departed.

Hopefully being the underdog will benefit us Tuesday; even though I would much rather 3 points in the league at home to Carlisle on Friday night. Will Ward tweak his starting XI from that who has started the last 2 league games? I think he’ll bear in mind the prospect of picking up injuries as well as fatigue from extensive hours on the team bus this week.

I’m not expecting too much this time around, although I’m looking forward to finding an English bar and watching Gillette Soccer Special whilst I’m in Portugal. I'm sure you'll agree, that’s why we go abroad right?

Camulodunum

Opening day reaction.

Exeter 2 : 2 Colchester United

I'm happy with a point, although it's always disapointing to let go of a lead so late into the game. Pleased for Cousins in goal, didn't sound like he did too much wrong but he'll be disapointed to have to pick the ball out of the net twice.

Exeter are fast becoming our 'bogey' team so it's good to go there and come back with a point, it sounded like we had chances to win all three points mind you.

Camulodunum

Sheffield Wednesday 2 : 0 Dagenham & Redbridge

..On the train...

Southend United 1 : 1 Stockport County

A game which we should've won after sustained spells of pressure ended in relief to get a point after Blair Sturrock's last-gasp equaliser. Southend dominated for most of the match but lacked quality in the final third. Barry Corr does well as a targetman but he could've scored a hat-trick today and needs someone alongside him to play off him rather than playing on his own. Stockport threatened occasionally on the counter-attack, with Blues' goalkeeper Glen Morris impressing on his debut, and took the lead in controversial fashion. I'm not entirely sure what happened but I understand the linesman had his flag up for offside when George Donnely smashed the ball home. The goal infuriated the home side and manager Paul Sturrock was sent to the stands in his first competitive game. But it was the boss' son who saved the day in the 95th minute when he bundled home a Zaaboub corner.

Overall, a game lacking in quality, something Southend fans will have to get used to this season, but not lacking in talking points and not a bad peformance from our almost completely new team (only 2 of the starting XI played in the home game against Stockport at the end of last season). A mixed day for the Sturrock family.

Billy Blenheim

Continuity the key at Colchester.

3 or 4 years of ‘footballing boom’, appears to be over for Colchester United and its fans - this isn’t going to turn into a rant about how Cowling is ‘gutless’ for promoting former assistant manager John Ward to manager. Far from it. Personally I like to see everyone getting a chance to prove their worth.

“I like to get Crosses into the box and create lots of chances…” John Ward.

Cowling received mixed opinions after naming Ward as his number 1 although, he was probably prepared for it. Since the club were promoted it seems as if there is a totally different expectation from the fans. I’m not one to say “I’ve been supporting The U’s since 1945 blah blah blah etc etc etc” There are a lot of very strong teams in League One next season (Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton and Huddersfield to name a few). I’m so disappointed to hear when fans instantly condemn decisions by the club.

Ward appointed fans favourite Joe Dunne as his assistant, a move nearly every fan is pleased with. Both Ward and Dunne have mentioned meetings with RC after Boothroyd left where they discussed in depth about what they feel they could achieve at the club.

“We managed to get across what we felt we could do get some continuity straight away.” Joe Dunne

Dunne also brings up a point that many Colchester fans have also brought up when venting their frustration at losing another manager. 3 managers in 4 years! I don’t think fans appreciate that fact that Dunne mentions, with each new manager comes new players, new staff and ultimately, the players which don’t fit it with the new manager’s plans are given the cold shoulder. This happened under both Lambert and Boothroyd. White, Jackson and Ifil under Lambert and Corcoran, Maybury and Lockwood under Aidy. This must have been a massive influence on Robbie when making his decision, Ward and Dunne both stressed their desire to keep the backroom staff the same along with offering every player a fresh start.

The season ahead isn’t a particularly exciting one for U’s fans. No stand out games like Leeds, Southend and Norwich but we look forward to the challenge of Dagenham and Redbridge.

“What a wonderful story for John Still and the Dagenham boys… For us to have a local derby twice, it’ll be good for them as well as ourselves.” John Ward.

For SOTD and I, this fixture will have a hell of a lot more riding on the result than most CUFC and D&RFC fans.

Transfer activity took it’s time to begin at the WHCS but at the beginning of the week, news came that both David Prutton and Phil Ifil had left the club. Quite happy as I think both players were on a considerable wage, Prutton for his experience and Ifil for his potential. News also broke that we’d signed 2 new players, Brian Wilson from Bristol City and Andrew Bond from non-league Barrow. Particularly please with both, compared to the previous seasons; no high profile signings and the eagerness of getting the friendly’s to see what they are like.

Camulodunum