2012–13 Colchester United F.C. season

Colchester United
2012–13 season
OwnerRobbie Cowling
ChairmanRobbie Cowling
ManagerJohn Ward
(until 24 September)
Joe Dunne
(from 27 September)
StadiumColchester Community Stadium
League One20th
FA Cup1st round
(eliminated by
Chelmsford City)
League Cup1st round
(eliminated by
Yeovil Town)
Football League Trophy2nd round (southern section)
(eliminated by
Northampton Town)
Top goalscorerLeague: Jabo Ibehre (8)
All: Jabo Ibehre
Freddie Sears (8)
Highest home attendance5,862
v Shrewsbury Town, 20 April 2013[1]
Lowest home attendance2,367
v Yeovil Town, 26 February 2013[2]
Average home league attendance3,530[3]
Biggest win2–0
v Carlisle United, 20 October 2012
v Leyton Orient, 23 October 2012
v Bury, 17 November 2012
v Walsall, 26 January 2013
v Yeovil Town, 26 February 2013
v Stevenage, 2 March 2013
v Carlisle United, 27 April 2013
3–1
v Hartlepool United, 29 September 2012
Biggest defeat0–4
v Tranmere Rovers, 1 September 2012
1–5
v Milton Keynes Dons, 24 November 2012
v Tranmere Rovers, 23 February 2013

The 2012–13 season was Colchester United's 71st season in their history and fifth successive season in the third tier of English football, League One. Alongside competing in the League One, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Football League Trophy.

The 2012–13 season marked the club's 75th anniversary, but the club's on-field performance was poor, suffering 23 league defeats while achieving a club-record nine consecutive defeats. John Ward was relieved of his duties with the club in the relegation zone but his replacement, former U's defender Joe Dunne, turned around United's fortunes, leading them to mid-table by November. However, the club then embarked on their record run of nine successive defeats, which spanned from mid-November to mid-January. At the end of this run, the club dropped into the relegation zone, before escaping and then returning to the drop zone in early February. They flirted with relegation for the remainder of the season until they secured safety on the final day of the season with a 2–0 win at Carlisle United, finishing in 20th place.

Colchester exited each cup competition after just one game, suffering defeats at Yeovil Town and Northampton Town in the League Cup and League Trophy respectively, while they were humiliated in the FA Cup first round by non-League Essex rivals Chelmsford City by a 3–1 margin.

Season overview[edit]

For the 2012–13 season, the U's marked their 75th anniversary with a special home kit which was designed with the usual blue and white stripes, but did not have a main sponsorship logo. The club hoped to promote local businesses on a game-by-game basis in order to reflect on the club's early days without a sponsor.[4]

In pre-season, Colchester started with a comfortable 6–0 win over Heybridge Swifts. Ian Henderson and Freddie Sears both scored a brace in a one-sided first half. Academy product Tosin Olufemi also scored twice in the second half to secure a convincing win for the U's.[5] The club then embarked on a pre-season training camp in the Netherlands. Colchester took on a youthful Vitesse side and won 3–2, with goals from Freddie Ladapo, Marcus Bean and Freddie Sears. The game also saw the return of Magnus Okuonghae who had re-signed for the club after briefly leaving the club following the expiry of his contract.[6]

A crowd just shy of 8,000 at the Colchester Community Stadium saw recently promoted Premier League side West Ham United beat Colchester 2–1 with Anthony Wordsworth scoring the goal for the home side.[7] An experimental U's side then lost 4–1 at Witham Town, with then-triallist Jackson Ramm scoring Colchester's consolation goal.[8] They responded by beating Maldon & Tiptree 2–1 courtesy of Freddie Sears fourth goal of pre-season and another from Drey Wright.[9] The following day, Colchester won 2–1 at Brentwood Town with goals from John-Joe O'Toole and Freddie Ladapo.[10]

Colchester hosted Championship side Derby County on 3 August. Freddie Sears scored a brace, but drew 2–2 after an unfortunate Magnus Okuonghae own goal and Theo Robinson's equaliser came as the final kick of the game.[11] They then hosted Ipswich Town, who won 2–1 after two first-half goals from Michael Chopra, but Clinton Morrison's first goal for the club reduced the deficit in the second-half.[12] Colchester then rounded off their pre-season with a 1–0 win at Conference North side Bishop's Stortford with Drey Wright's solo-effort the difference between the two sides.[13]

August[edit]

Colchester's season started in the League Cup first round at Yeovil Town, where Academy product Drey Wright started to make his professional debut. Also making his club debut was forward Clinton Morrison. The U's were soundly beaten 3–0 on the night.[14]

Colchester's league campaign kicked off on 18 August with a 0–0 draw at Preston North End, with Mark Cousins producing a string of saves in the U's goal to preserve an opening day point.[15] Colchester then held Portsmouth to a 2–2 draw at the Community Stadium, with a first U's goal for Michael Rose and Magnus Okuonghae scoring the other. Jordan Obita struck late on to earn a point for the away team.[16]

Former Sheffield Wednesday striker Clinton Morrison scored an equaliser, his first goal for the club, in a 1–1 draw against Sheffield United with what was the U's first shot on target, in the 73rd-minute, to secure a third successive draw for Colchester.[17]

September[edit]

Colchester slumped to their first league defeat of the season on 1 September after they were beaten 4–0 at Tranmere Rovers following a Jake Cassidy hat-trick.[18] A 1–0 defeat at Brentford consigned the U's to their worst league start since 1996, conceding an 88th-minute goal.[19]

On 15 September, Colchester found themselves bottom of the League One table after six games and no wins following a 2–1 home defeat by Doncaster Rovers.[20] Their stay at the bottom of the league was brief however, when Anthony Wordsworth's late penalty kick earned them a point during their 1–1 home draw with Crawley Town.[21]

On 22 September, the U's cemented their worst-ever start to a league season with a 1–0 defeat at Scunthorpe United.[22] This result proved the final straw for chairman Robbie Cowling as John Ward was sacked as Colchester manager, leaving the club after two years in charge with the U's without a win in League One and 22nd in the table. Assistant manager Joe Dunne was appointed caretaker manager.[23]

On 27 September, Dunne was appointed full-time manager of Colchester United. He assigned Mark Kinsella as his assistant.[24] Two days later, Dunne took charge of his first match and promptly led the team to their first win of the campaign, a 3–1 home victory over Hartlepool United with two debut goals for loan-signing Jabo Ibehre and an earlier equalising goal from Gavin Massey.[25]

October[edit]

On 2 October, Colchester earned their first away win of the season at Swindon Town. They won 1–0 courtesy of a Michael Rose free kick against his former club.[26] Colchester were again defeated by Yeovil on 6 October, on this occasion 3–1, with Jabo Ibehre scoring Colchester's only goal. This was Dunne's first defeat as Colchester manager.[27]

Having received a bye in the first round of the Football League Trophy, the U's faced former manager Aidy Boothroyd's Northampton Town in the second round of the competition on 9 October. With the U's leading 1–0 at half-time through a Freddie Sears goal, young debutant Alex Gilbey gave away a penalty from which Northampton scored, before conceding a second goal two minutes later to hand the Cobblers a 2–1 victory.[28]

Loanee Sanchez Watt ended Stevenage's unbeaten start to the season on 13 October with his first goal of the season in a 1–0 home victory for Colchester.[29] Colchester then made it four league wins in five games under Joe Dunne on 20 October with a 2–0 home victory over Carlisle United. Loanees Craig Eastmond and Jabo Ibehre scored the goals.[30] The U's then secured their fifth win in six league games on 23 October with a 2–0 win at Leyton Orient, with goals from Anthony Wordsworth and Ian Henderson.[31]

On 27 October, Colchester allowed a 2–0 lead to slip to draw 2–2 away at Shrewsbury Town with both goals coming from Arsenal loanees Eastmond and Watt.[32]

November[edit]

Colchester started the month with an FA Cup tie at Essex neighbours Chelmsford City in the first round. It was the first competitive encounter between the sides for 44 years, the last being an FA Cup second round tie in January 1968. Chelmsford won on this occasion, knocking out their Football League opponents 3–1. Donovan Simmonds scored twice, before Michael Rose's free kick reduced the deficit, but Jamie Slabber's effort late on sealed the win for the Conference South side.[33]

On 6 November, Colchester were defeated 2–0 at home by Notts County.[34] The U's then suffered their third defeat in as many games with a 3–2 defeat at Crewe Alexandra, having led 2–0 at half-time following goals from Freddie Sears and Ian Henderson.[35] The team responded to this defeat with a 2–0 victory over Bury, Wordsworth and Sears scoring the goals in the second-half.[36] The U's then lost 3–1 at home to Coventry City on 20 November, with Tom Eastman registering the only goal for the home side.[37] Colchester were beaten 5–1 by Milton Keynes Dons on 24 November. Ian Henderson scored Colchester's consolation and later Gavin Massey was sent off for a tackle on Adam Chicksen.[38]

December[edit]

Owing to an early FA Cup exit, Colchester had a two-week break heading into their 8 December home league match against Oldham Athletic. However, the U's fell to their fifth defeat in six games as the visitors prospered 2–0, with Brian Wilson scoring an unfortunate own goal.[39] Colchester continued their losing streak when a 1–0 defeat at AFC Bournemouth left them just two points above the relegation zone.[40] They followed this up with a fifth consecutive away league defeat on 22 December with another 1–0 defeat, this time at Walsall, earning the hosts their first victory in 17 games.[41] A further defeat followed at home to high-flying Brentford on Boxing Day, but despite the reverse, a youthful U's side put in a promising display and featured a first professional goal from Drey Wright on his first league start for the club.[42]

January[edit]

Colchester's New Year's Day game was a trip to Crawley, where they continued their losing run with a miserable 3–0 defeat, Crawley's first home win in nine weeks.[43] On 5 January, Colchester equalled their longest-ever losing run with a 1–0 defeat at Doncaster in a game in which Josh Thompson had a goal ruled out for an infringement by another player.[44]

On 12 January, Colchester set the unwanted club record of nine consecutive defeats as fellow strugglers Scunthorpe United won 2–1at the Community Stadium. The result left the U's in the relegation zone and manager Joe Dunne considering his position.[45][46]

Colchester's trip to Hartlepool on 19 January was postponed due to heavy snow,[47] with their next fixture on 26 January at home to Walsall. Colchester ended their losing streak with a solid 2–0 victory, with goals from Jabo Ibehre, making his second debut for the club, and Freddie Sears.[48] Before January was out, the club sold youth-team product Anthony Wordsworth to neighbours Ipswich Town for a £100,000 transfer fee, potentially rising to £200,000.[49]

February[edit]

The U's began February with a 3–2 win against Portsmouth with a brace from Gavin Massey and a Freddie Sears penalty earning Colchester a first away victory since October.[50] They then slipped to within two points of the relegation zone after a 1–0 home defeat by Swindon Town on 5 February.[51]

Colchester made it three wins in four games with victory over Preston on 9 February as Freddie Sears scored the only goal of the game.[52] A heavy 3–0 defeat by Sheffield United on 16 February left the U's in 20th position, one spot outside of the relegation zone.[53] They were then soundly beaten 5–1 at home by Tranmere Rovers as Colchester dropped into the relegation places. Magnus Okuonghae scored the consolation for Colchester as the U's found themselves three points adrift from safety albeit with a game in hand over 20th-placed Scunthorpe.[54] A win against high-fliers Yeovil on 26 February rounded out the month as the U's made amends for League Cup and earlier league defeats against the Glovers. Billy Clifford scored his first professional goal and Freddie Sears added a second in the 2–0 victory.[55]

March[edit]

On 2 March, Colchester won 2–0 at Stevenage with both goals coming from Jabo Ibehre. The result lifted the U's out of the relegation places.[56] Ten-man Colchester then battled to a 0–0 draw at relegation-threatened rivals Hartlepool after Jabo Ibehre was sent off.[57] A 2–1 defeat followed at Crewe on 9 March, George Porter scoring the leveller before Mathias Pogba's winner.[58] The U's let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2–2 at Coventry on 12 March having taken the lead through Gavin Massey and loanee Michael Smith doubling the lead after half-time. An injury time equaliser denied the U's all three points.[59]

Colchester began their game at Bury with George Porter dismissed for violent conduct after only four minutes. They then fell behind after a goal from former United player Craig Fagan. However, Colchester levelled first through Josh Thompson, and the took the lead a minute later through Clinton Morrison. The win moved the U's seven points clear of the relegation zone.[60] On Good Friday, Colchester lost 1–0 to Bournemouth at the Community Stadium, once again leaving the club within three points of the relegation positions with six games to play.[61]

April[edit]

A relegation battle with Oldham Athletic ended 1–1 on 1 April, with Drey Wright scoring Colchester's goal before an Oldham equaliser mid-way through the second-half.[62] An important win over Leyton Orient on 6 April followed, moving Colchester six points above the relegation zone as rivals Oldham and Scunthorpe failed to win. Goals came courtesy of Gavin Massey and Drey Wright. Former U's player Kevin Lisbie scored Orient's goal and had a penalty saved by Sam Walker with twelve minutes remaining.[63]

Jabo Ibehre scored Colchester's goal in a 3–1 defeat at Notts County on 13 April,[64] and then a second successive defeat at home by Milton Keynes Dons threatened to reduced the points advantage over Scunthorpe in their relegation scrap, but with Scunthorpe losing to already-relegated Bury, the U's maintained a five-point advantage and thus requiring a win from their next two games to guarantee safety.[65] A lacklustre 0–0 draw with Shrewsbury in the final home game of the season, coupled with a win for Scunthorpe over MK Dons meant the relegation battle moved on to the final day of the season with each team separated by three points. Anything but a win for Scunthorpe against Swindon would mean relegation, while Colchester required at least a draw for survival.[66]

With the future of the club to be decided on the final day of the season, it was imperative that Colchester earned at least a point from their away game at Carlisle on 27 April to guarantee League One football for another season. Goals from Gavin Massey and Tom Eastman ensured this in a 2–0 victory, while Scunthorpe were relegated despite winning at Swindon.[67]

Players[edit]

As of match played 27 April 2013.[68][69][70]
No. Name Position Nationality Place of birth Date of birth Apps Goals Signed from Date signed Fee
Goalkeepers
1 Mark Cousins GK England Chelmsford (1987-01-09)9 January 1987 (aged 25) 44 0 Youth team 1 August 2004 Free transfer
29 Shaun Phillips GK England Colchester (1994-03-07)7 March 1994 (aged 18) 0 0 Academy 1 July 2012 Free transfer
Defenders
2 David Wright FB/DM England Warrington (1980-05-01)1 May 1980 (aged 32) 0 0 England Crystal Palace 25 January 2013 Free transfer
4 Magnus Okuonghae CB England Nigeria Lagos (1986-02-16)16 February 1986 (aged 26) 111 2 England Dagenham & Redbridge 1 July 2009 £60,000
6 Matt Heath CB England Leicester (1981-11-01)1 November 1981 (aged 30) 105 5 England Leeds United 13 May 2008 Free transfer
18 Tom Eastman CB England Colchester (1991-10-21)21 October 1991 (aged 20) 27 3 England Ipswich Town 1 July 2011 Free transfer
20 Brian Wilson FB England Manchester (1983-05-09)9 May 1983 (aged 29) 80 2 England Bristol City 29 June 2010 Free transfer
23 Jackson Ramm FB England Cambridge (1993-05-31)31 May 1993 (aged 19) 0 0 England Blackburn Rovers 30 July 2012 Free transfer
25 John White FB England Colchester (1986-07-26)26 July 1986 (aged 25) 231 0 Youth team 1 July 2003 Free transfer
31 Bradley Hamilton DF England Newham (1992-08-30)30 August 1992 (aged 19) 1 0 Youth team 1 July 2009 Free transfer
40 Josh Thompson CB England Bolton (1991-02-25)25 February 1991 (aged 21) 5 0 England Portsmouth 1 January 2013 Free transfer
Midfielders
7 Karl Duguid MF England Letchworth (1978-03-21)21 March 1978 (aged 34) 463 48 England Plymouth Argyle 20 July 2011 Free transfer
8 John-Joe O'Toole MF Republic of Ireland England Harrow (1988-09-30)30 September 1988 (aged 23) 60 3 England Watford 1 January 2010 Undisclosed
10 Kemal Izzet MF England Whitechapel (1980-09-29)29 September 1980 (aged 31) 461 21 England Charlton Athletic 13 April 2001 Free transfer
14 Andy Bond MF England Wigan (1986-03-16)16 March 1986 (aged 26) 89 12 England Barrow 29 June 2010 Free transfer
15 Marcus Bean MF Jamaica England Hammersmith (1984-11-02)2 November 1984 (aged 27) 0 0 England Brentford 8 June 2012 Free transfer
26 Ryan Melaugh MF England Harlow (1994-08-28)28 August 1994 (aged 17) 0 0 Academy 1 July 2012 Free transfer
28 Alex Gilbey MF England Dagenham (1994-12-09)9 December 1994 (aged 17) 0 0 Youth team 4 July 2011 Free transfer
30 Drey Wright MF England Greenwich (1995-04-30)30 April 1995 (aged 17) 0 0 Youth team 4 July 2011 Free transfer
32 Jordan Sanderson MF England Chingford (1993-08-07)7 August 1993 (aged 18) 1 0 Youth team 1 January 2011 Free transfer
43 Tom Lapslie MF England Waltham Forest (1995-05-05)5 May 1995 (aged 17) 0 0 Academy 2 July 2012 Free transfer
Forwards
9 Clinton Morrison FW Republic of Ireland England Tooting (1979-05-14)14 May 1979 (aged 33) 0 0 England Sheffield Wednesday 16 July 2012 Free transfer
11 Freddie Sears ST England Hornchurch (1989-11-27)27 November 1989 (aged 22) 11 2 England West Ham United 1 July 2012 Free transfer
17 Jabo Ibehre FW England Islington (1983-01-28)28 January 1983 (aged 29) 15 4 England Milton Keynes Dons 21 January 2013 Free transfer
19 Freddie Ladapo ST England Romford (1993-02-01)1 February 1993 (aged 19) 0 0 Youth team 16 March 2012 Free transfer
21 Gavin Massey FW England Watford (1992-10-04)4 October 1992 (aged 19) 8 0 England Watford 21 August 2012 Free transfer
27 Tosin Olufemi WG/FB England Hackney (1994-05-13)13 May 1994 (aged 18) 0 0 Academy 1 July 2012 Free transfer
35 Nnamdi Nwachuku FW Nigeria (1994-11-27)27 November 1994 (aged 17) 0 0 Youth team 4 July 2011 Free transfer
42 Macauley Bonne ST Zimbabwe England Ipswich (1995-10-26)26 October 1995 (aged 16) 0 0 Academy 2 July 2012 Free transfer
Scholars
Jack Curtis MF England Brentwood (1995-09-11)11 September 1995 (aged 16) 0 0 Academy 2 July 2012 Free transfer
Frankie Kent CB England Romford (1995-11-21)21 November 1995 (aged 16) 0 0 Academy 2 July 2012 Free transfer
Gus Mafuta DF England Clevedon (1995-06-11)11 June 1995 (aged 16) 0 0 Youth team 4 July 2011 Free transfer
Michael O'Donoghue DF Republic of Ireland England Islington (1996-01-18)18 January 1996 (aged 16) 0 0 Academy 2 July 2012 Free transfer
Billy Roast DF England (1995-06-06)6 June 1995 (aged 16) 0 0 Youth team 4 July 2011 Free transfer
Jack Simmons MF Wales England Basildon (1994-11-25)25 November 1994 (aged 17) 0 0 England Ipswich Town 25 April 2012 Free transfer

Transfers[edit]

In[edit]

Date Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
9 May 2012 MF England Ryan Melaugh Academy Free transfer [71][72][73][a]
9 May 2012 WG/FB England Tosin Olufemi Academy Free transfer [74][75][73][a]
9 May 2012 GK England Shaun Phillips Academy Free transfer [76][77][73][a]
8 June 2012 MF Jamaica Marcus Bean England Brentford Free transfer [78][79][80][b]
2 July 2012 ST Zimbabwe Macauley Bonne Academy Free transfer [81][82][83]
2 July 2012 MF England Jack Curtis Academy Free transfer [84][85][83]
2 July 2012 CB England Frankie Kent Academy Free transfer [86][87][83]
2 July 2012 MF England Tom Lapslie Academy Free transfer [88][89][83]
2 July 2012 DF Republic of Ireland Michael O'Donoghue Academy Free transfer [90][91][83]
4 July 2012 ST England Freddie Sears England West Ham United Free transfer [92][93][94]
16 July 2012 FW Republic of Ireland Clinton Morrison England Sheffield Wednesday Free transfer [95][96][97]
30 July 2012 MF England Merrick James-Lewis England Southend United Free transfer [98][99][100]
30 July 2012 FB England Jackson Ramm England Blackburn Rovers Free transfer [101][100]
21 August 2012 FW England Gavin Massey England Watford Free transfer [102][103][104]
22 December 2012 LM Wales Jack Compton England Portsmouth Free transfer [105][106][107][108][c]
28 December 2012 CB England Josh Thompson England Portsmouth Free transfer [109][110][111][d]
21 January 2013 FW England Jabo Ibehre England Milton Keynes Dons Free transfer [112][113][114]
25 January 2013 FB/DM England David Wright England Crystal Palace Free transfer [115][116][117]
  • Total spending: Decrease ~ £0
  1. ^ a b c Officially signed on 1 July 2012
  2. ^ Officially joined the club on 1 July 2012
  3. ^ Officially joined the club on 3 January 2018
  4. ^ Officially joined the club on 1 January 2018

Out[edit]

Date Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
15 May 2012 FW Nigeria Kayode Odejayi England Rotherham United Free transfer [118][119][120][a]
31 May 2012 MF Republic of Ireland Martin Rowlands England Leyton Orient [b] Released [122][123][124]
12 June 2012 WG England Ashley Vincent England Port Vale [c] Released [126][127][128]
18 June 2012 FW England Steven Gillespie England Fleetwood Town Undisclosed [129][130][131]
3 July 2012 GK England Ben Williams Scotland Hibernian Free transfer [132][133][134][135][d]
18 July 2012 MF/FB Wales Lloyd James England Leyton Orient Free transfer [136][137][138][139][140][a]
13 December 2012 MF England Merrick James-Lewis England Ebbsfleet United [e] Released [98][99][141]
24 January 2013 DF Scotland Tom Aldred England Accrington Stanley [f] Released [142][143][144][117]
24 January 2013 GK England Carl Pentney England Bishop's Stortford Released [145][146][147][148]
30 January 2013 MF England Anthony Wordsworth England Ipswich Town £100,000 [149][150][151]
31 January 2013 CB Wales Tom Bender England Millwall [g] Released [153][154][155][156]
31 January 2013 DF/MF England Ben Coker England Histon [h] Released [158][159][160][161]
31 January 2013 FW/MF England Ian Henderson England Rochdale [i] Released [163][164][156]
31 January 2013 LB England Michael Rose England Rochdale [j] Released [166][167][156]
11 April 2013 LM Wales Jack Compton England Hartlepool United [k] Released [105][106][169]
  • Total incoming: Increase ~ £100,000
  1. ^ a b Officially left the club on 1 July 2012
  2. ^ Following Martin Rowlands' release by Colchester United, he later joined Leyton Orient.[121]
  3. ^ Following Ashley Vincent's release by Colchester United, he later joined Port Vale.[125]
  4. ^ Officially left the club on 3 July 2012
  5. ^ Following Merrick James-Lewis' release by Colchester United, he later joined Ebbsfleet United.
  6. ^ Following Tom Aldred's release by Colchester United, he later joined Accrington Stanley.
  7. ^ Following Tom Bender's release by Colchester United, he later joined Millwall.[152]
  8. ^ Following Ben Coker's release by Colchester United, he later joined Histon.[157]
  9. ^ Following Ian Henderson's release by Colchester United, he later joined Rochdale.[162]
  10. ^ Following Michael Rose's release by Colchester United, he later joined Rochdale.[165]
  11. ^ Following Jack Compton's release by Colchester United, he later joined Hartlepool United.[168]

Loans in[edit]

Date Position Nationality Name From End date Ref.
27 September 2012 MF England Craig Eastmond England Arsenal 27 December 2012 [170][171][172]
27 September 2012 FW England Jabo Ibehre England Milton Keynes Dons 27 December 2012 [112][113][173]
27 September 2012 ST England Sanchez Watt England Arsenal 27 December 2012 [174][175][172]
23 October 2012 GK England Archange Nkumu England Chelsea 13 December 2013 [141][176][177][178]
9 November 2012 GK England John Sullivan England Charlton Athletic 9 December 2012 [179][180][181]
9 November 2012 CB England Josh Thompson England Portsmouth 30 December 2012 [109][110][182]
22 November 2012 DF England Dan Potts England West Ham United 3 January 2013 [183][184][185]
1 January 2013 LM Wales Jack Compton England Portsmouth 3 January 2013 [105][106][107]
1 January 2013 WG/ST England George Porter England Burnley 31 May 2013 [186][187][188]
3 January 2013 ST England Dominic Samuel England Reading 31 January 2013 [189][190][191]
11 January 2013 MF England Billy Clifford England Chelsea 28 April 2013 [192][193][194]
14 January 2013 GK England Sam Walker England Chelsea 31 May 2013 [195][196][197]
14 February 2013 FB/MF Republic of Ireland Bradley Garmston England West Bromwich Albion 30 April 2013 [198][199][200]
7 March 2013 ST England Troy Hewitt England Queens Park Rangers 12 April 2013 [201][202][203]
8 March 2013 ST England Michael Smith England Charlton Athletic 28 April 2013 [204][205][206]

Loans out[edit]

Date Position Nationality Name To End date Ref.
26 August 2012 DF Scotland Tom Aldred England Barrow 30 January 2013 [142][143][144][207][208]
28 September 2012 MF England Andy Bond England Crewe Alexandra 15 October 2012 [209][210]
12 October 2012 DF/MF England Ben Coker England Histon 12 November 2012 [158][159][160][211][212]
9 November 2012 GK England Carl Pentney England Histon 9 December 2012 [145][146][147][213][214]
30 November 2012 CB Wales Tom Bender England Chelmsford City 7 January 2013 [153][154][155][213]
30 November 2012 DF England Bradley Hamilton England Chelmsford City End of season [213][215][216][217]
13 December 2012 FB England Jackson Ramm England Cambridge City [101][107][218][219][220]
14 December 2012 GK England Shaun Phillips England Leiston [76][77][219]
24 December 2012 MF England Ryan Melaugh England Bishop's Stortford [71][72][219]
January 2013 ST Nigeria Nnamdi Nwachuku England Bishop's Stortford [221][222][223]
1 January 2013 MF Republic of Ireland John-Joe O'Toole England Bristol Rovers 5 April 2013 [224][225][226]
17 January 2013 GK England Carl Pentney England Bishop's Stortford 24 January 2013 [145][146][147][107][223]
27 March 2013 MF England Alex Gilbey Wales Newport County 31 May 2013 [227][228][229]

Match details[edit]

Friendlies[edit]

14 July 2012 (2012-07-14) Friendly Heybridge Swifts 0–6 Colchester United Heybridge
15:00 BST Report Henderson 16', 19'
Sears 26', 28'
Olufemi 75', 86'		 Stadium: Scraley Road
18 July 2012 (2012-07-18) Friendly Vitesse Netherlands 2–3 Colchester United Doorwerth
14:30 CEST Unknown goalscorer Report Ladapo 20'
Bean 38'
Sears 48'		 Stadium: Golden Tulip Hotel
21 July 2012 (2012-07-21) Friendly Colchester United 1–2 West Ham United Colchester
15:00 BST Wordsworth 43' Report Maynard 20'
Noble 36'		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 7,985
24 July 2012 (2012-07-24) Friendly Witham Town 4–1 Colchester United Witham
19:45 BST Unknown goalscorer Report Ramm Stadium: Spa Road
27 July 2012 (2012-07-27) Friendly Maldon & Tiptree 1–2 Colchester United Maldon
19:45 BST Unknown goalscorer Report Sears 15'
Dr. Wright 50'		 Stadium: Wallace Binder Ground
28 July 2012 (2012-07-28) Friendly Brentwood Town 1–2 Colchester United Brentwood
15:00 BST Stanley 40' Report O'Toole 41'
Ladapo 45'		 Stadium: Brentwood Centre Arena
3 August 2012 (2012-08-03) Friendly Colchester United 2–2 Derby County Colchester
19:30 BST Sears 42', 55' Report Okuonghae 9' (o.g.)
Robinson 90'		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 1,352
8 August 2012 (2012-08-08) Friendly Colchester United 1–2 Ipswich Town Colchester
19:45 BST Morrison 55' Report Chopra 22', 36' Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,873
11 August 2012 (2012-08-11) Friendly Bishop's Stortford 0–1 Colchester United Bishop's Stortford
15:00 BST Report Dr. Wright 19' Stadium: Woodside Park

League One[edit]

Main article: 2012–13 Football League One

League table[edit]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
18 Stevenage 46 15 9 22 47 64 −17 54
19 Oldham Athletic 46 14 9 23 46 59 −13 51
20 Colchester United 46 14 9 23 47 68 −21 51
21 Scunthorpe United (R) 46 13 9 24 49 73 −24 48 Relegation to Football League Two
22 Bury (R) 46 9 14 23 45 73 −28 41
Updated to match(es) played on 27 April 2013. Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(R) Relegated

Results round by round[edit]

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAAHHAHAAHHAAHAHHAHAAHAAHHAHHAHHAAHAAHAHAHHA
ResultDDDLLLDLWWLWWWDLLWLLLLLLLLLWWLWLLWWDLDWLDWLLDW
Position15141620222422222017191715121213141316171717192020202120191919202121191919191919191919202020
Source: Statto.com (archived)
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches[edit]

18 August 2012 (2012-08-18) 1 Preston North End 0–0 Colchester United Preston
15:00 BST Report Stadium: Deepdale
Attendance: 10,034
Referee: Phil Gibbs
21 August 2012 (2012-08-21) 2 Colchester United 2–2 Portsmouth Colchester
19:45 BST Rose 45'
Okuonghae 83'		 Report Rodgers 30'
Obita 86'		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,335
Referee: Lee Collins
25 August 2012 (2012-08-25) 3 Colchester United 1–1 Sheffield United Colchester
15:00 BST Morrison 72' Report Cofie 17' Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,017
Referee: Gary Sutton
1 September 2012 (2012-09-01) 4 Tranmere Rovers 4–0 Colchester United Birkenhead
15:00 BST Cassidy 40', 49', 77'
Bakayogo 58'		 Report Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 4,711
Referee: Andrew Madley
8 September 2012 (2012-09-08) 5 Brentford 1–0 Colchester United Brentford
15:00 BST El Alagui 88' Report Stadium: Griffin Park
Attendance: 5,499
Referee: Stuart Attwell
15 September 2012 (2012-09-15) 6 Colchester United 1–2 Doncaster Rovers Colchester
15:00 BST Okuonghae 30' Report Cotterill 3'
Bond 48' (o.g.)		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,262
Referee: Gary Sutton
18 September 2012 (2012-09-18) 7 Colchester United 1–1 Crawley Town Colchester
19:45 BST Wordsworth 86' (pen.) Report McFadzean 76' Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 2,484
Referee: Andy Woolmer
22 September 2012 (2012-09-22) 8 Scunthorpe United 1–0 Colchester United Scunthorpe
15:00 BST Clarke 76' (pen.) Report Stadium: Glanford Park
Attendance: 3,133
Referee: Chris Sarginson
29 September 2012 (2012-09-29) 9 Colchester United 3–1 Hartlepool United Colchester
15:00 BST Massey 39'
Ibehre 43', 62'		 Report Lynch 6' Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,471
Referee: Mick Russell
2 October 2012 (2012-10-02) 10 Swindon Town 0–1 Colchester United Swindon
Report Rose 70' Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 7,443
Referee: Iain Williamson
6 October 2012 (2012-10-06) 11 Yeovil Town 3–1 Colchester United Yeovil
15:00 BST Madden 20', 34'
Hayter 78'		 Report Ibehre 25' Stadium: Huish Park
Attendance: 3,002
Referee: Steve Bratt
13 October 2012 (2012-10-13) 12 Colchester United 1–0 Stevenage Colchester
15:00 BST Watt 55' Report Grant Yellow card 53' Red card Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,405
Referee: Graham Salisbury
20 October 2012 (2012-10-20) 13 Colchester United 2–0 Carlisle United Colchester
15:00 BST Eastmond 26'
Ibehre 31'		 Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,335
Referee: Steve Rushton
23 October 2012 (2012-10-23) 14 Leyton Orient 0–2 Colchester United Leyton
19:45 BST Report Wordsworth 33'
Henderson 51'		 Stadium: Brisbane Road
Attendance: 3,378
Referee: Dean Whitestone
27 October 2012 (2012-10-27) 15 Shrewsbury Town 2–2 Colchester United Shrewsbury
15:00 BST Hall 79', 82' Report Eastmond 3'
Watt 62'		 Stadium: New Meadow
Attendance: 5,066
Referee: Jeremy Simpson
6 November 2012 (2012-11-06) 16 Colchester United 0–2 Notts County Colchester
19:45 GMT Report Bishop 17'
Judge 44'		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,051
Referee: Carl Berry
10 November 2012 (2012-11-10) 17 Crewe Alexandra 3–2 Colchester United Crewe
15:00 GMT Dalla Valle 51'
Murphy 64' (pen.)
Pogba 74'		 Report Sears 3'
Henderson 30'		 Stadium: Gresty Road
Attendance: 4,292
Referee: Eddie Ilderton
17 November 2012 (2012-11-17) 18 Colchester United 2–0 Bury Colchester
15:00 GMT Wordsworth 56'
Sears 61'		 Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,214
Referee: Stephen Martin
20 November 2012 (2012-11-20) 19 Colchester United 1–3 Coventry City Colchester
19:45 GMT Eastman 71' Report Moussa 34'
Edjenguélé 37'
McGoldrick 87'		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,229
Referee: Trevor Kettle
24 November 2012 (2012-11-24) 20 Milton Keynes Dons 5–1 Colchester United Milton Keynes
15:00 GMT Chadwick 28', 64'
Williams 37'
Otsemobor 61'
Lowe 82'		 Report Henderson 63'
Massey Red card 67'		 Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 7,443
Referee: Darren Deadman
8 December 2012 (2012-12-08) 21 Colchester United 0–2 Oldham Athletic Colchester
15:00 GMT Report Mvoto 33'
Wilson 61' (o.g.)		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 2,987
Referee: Iain Williamson
15 December 2012 (2012-12-15) 22 AFC Bournemouth 1–0 Colchester United Bournemouth
15:00 GMT Grabban 41' Report Stadium: Dean Court
Attendance: 6,145
Referee: Brendan Malone
22 December 2012 (2012-12-22) 23 Walsall 1–0 Colchester United Walsall
15:00 GMT Brandy 61' Report Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 3,006
Referee: Andrew Madley
26 December 2012 (2012-12-26) 24 Colchester United 1–3 Brentford Colchester
15:00 GMT Dr. Wright 23'
Thompson Red card 10'		 Report Trotta 4'
Forshaw 12'
Dean 85'
Adeyemi Yellow card 45' Red card		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,200
Referee: Gavin Ward
29 December 2012 (2012-12-29) Colchester United P–P Swindon Town Colchester
15:00 GMT Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Note: Match postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
1 January 2013 (2013-01-01) 25 Crawley Town 3–0 Colchester United Crawley
15:00 GMT Connolly 5'
Clarke 71'
Adams 87'		 Report Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 3,160
Referee: Graham Scott
5 January 2013 (2013-01-05) 26 Doncaster Rovers 1–0 Colchester United Doncaster
15:00 GMT Cotterill 84' Report Stadium: Keepmoat Stadium
Attendance: 6,373
Referee: Richard Clark
12 January 2013 (2013-01-12) 27 Colchester United 1–2 Scunthorpe United Colchester
15:00 GMT Sears 59' Report Ryan 41'
Hawley 46'		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,258
Referee: Keith Stroud
19 January 2013 (2013-01-19) Hartlepool United P–P Colchester United Hartlepool
15:00 GMT Report Stadium: Victoria Park
Note: Match postponed due to snow.
26 January 2013 (2013-01-26) 28 Colchester United 2–0 Walsall Colchester
15:00 GMT Ibehre 79'
Sears 89'		 Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 2,865
Referee: Dean Whitestone
2 February 2013 (2013-02-02) 29 Portsmouth 2–3 Colchester United Portsmouth
15:00 GMT Wallace 5'
Keene 73'		 Report Massey 2', 20'
Sears 16' (pen.)		 Stadium: Fratton Park
Attendance: 11,132
Referee: David Phillips
5 February 2013 (2013-02-05) 30 Colchester United 0–1 Swindon Town Colchester
19:45 GMT Report Collins 55' Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,214
Referee: Tim Robinson
9 February 2013 (2013-02-09) 31 Colchester United 1–0 Preston North End Colchester
15:00 GMT Sears 55' Report Wright Yellow card 83' Red card Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,215
Referee: Mark Haywood
16 February 2013 (2013-02-16) 32 Sheffield United 3–0 Colchester United Sheffield
15:00 GMT Robson 4' (pen.)
McDonald 73'
Kitson 90'		 Report Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 16,860
Referee: David Webb
23 February 2013 (2013-02-23) 33 Colchester United 1–5 Tranmere Rovers Colchester
15:00 GMT Okuonghae 29' Report Power 11'
Akpa Akpro 41'
Taylor 65'
Stockton 85'
O'Halloran 90' (pen.)		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,077
Referee: Keith Stroud
26 February 2013 (2013-02-26) 34 Colchester United 2–0 Yeovil Town Colchester
15:00 GMT Clifford 45'
Sears 62'		 Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 2,367
Referee: Steve Rushton
2 March 2013 (2013-03-02) 35 Stevenage 0–2 Colchester United Stevenage
15:00 GMT Report Ibehre 62', 73' Stadium: Broadhall Way
Attendance: 3,144
Referee: Scott Duncan
5 March 2013 (2013-03-05) 36 Hartlepool United 0–0 Colchester United Hartlepool
19:45 GMT Report Ibehre Red card 44' Stadium: Victoria Park
Attendance: 3,148
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
9 March 2013 (2013-03-09) 37 Colchester United 1–2 Crewe Alexandra Colchester
15:00 GMT Porter 42' Report Murphy 25' (pen.)
Pogba 72'		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,085
Referee: Keith Hill
12 March 2013 (2013-03-12) 38 Coventry City 2–2 Colchester United Coventry
19:45 GMT Wilson 77'
Baker 90'		 Report Massey 39'
Smith 72'		 Stadium: Ricoh Arena
Attendance: 9,431
Referee: Stephen Martin
16 March 2013 (2013-03-16) 39 Bury 1–2 Colchester United Bury
15:00 GMT Fagan 26' Report Thompson 30'
Morrison 31'
Porter Red card 4'		 Stadium: Gigg Lane
Attendance: 2,018
Referee: Bobby Madley
23 March 2013 (2013-03-23) Colchester United P–P Milton Keynes Dons Colchester
15:00 GMT Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Note: Match postponed due to snow.
29 March 2013 (2013-03-29) 40 Colchester United 0–1 AFC Bournemouth Colchester
15:00 GMT Report Pitman 19' Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,727
Referee: Oliver Langford
1 April 2013 (2013-04-01) 41 Oldham Athletic 1–1 Colchester United Oldham
15:00 BST Baxter 68' Report Dr. Wright 20' Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 4,244
Referee: Mark Haywood
6 April 2013 (2013-04-06) 42 Colchester United 2–1 Leyton Orient Colchester
15:00 BST Massey 20'
Dr. Wright 24'		 Report Lisbie 37' Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,704
Referee: Richard Clark
13 April 2013 (2013-04-13) 43 Notts County 3–1 Colchester United Nottingham
15:00 BST Hughes 18'
Arquin 77'
Nangle 90'		 Report Ibehre 37' Stadium: Meadow Lane
Attendance: 4,306
Referee: Tony Harrington
16 April 2013 (2013-04-16) 44 Colchester United 0–2 Milton Keynes Dons Colchester
19:45 BST Report Powell 11'
Bamford 78'		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,175
Referee: Roger East
20 April 2013 (2013-04-20) 45 Colchester United 0–0 Shrewsbury Town Colchester
15:00 BST Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 5,862
Referee: Howard Webb
27 April 2013 (2013-04-27) 46 Carlisle United 0–2 Colchester United Carlisle
15:00 BST Report Massey 65'
Eastman 80'		 Stadium: Brunton Park
Attendance: 5,427
Referee: Carl Boyeson

Football League Cup[edit]

Main article: 2012–13 Football League Cup
14 August 2012 (2012-08-14) 1st round Yeovil Town 3–0 Colchester United Yeovil
19:45 BST Hinds 4', 44'
Marsh-Brown 79'		 Report Stadium: Huish Park
Attendance: 1,907
Referee: Simon Hooper

Football League Trophy[edit]

Main article: 2012–13 Football League Trophy
9 October 2012 (2012-10-09) 2nd round (southern section) Northampton Town 2–1 Colchester United Northampton
19:45 BST Akinfenwa 52' (pen.)
Mukendi 54'		 Report Sears 31'
Morrison Red card 90+3'		 Stadium: Sixfields Stadium
Attendance: 1,561
Referee: Oliver Langford

FA Cup[edit]

Main article: 2012–13 FA Cup
3 November 2012 (2012-11-03) 1st round Chelmsford City 3–1 Colchester United Chelmsford
15:00 GMT Simmonds 23', 63'
Slabber 89'		 Report Rose 70' Stadium: Melbourne Stadium
Attendance: 3,017
Referee: Michael Naylor

Squad statistics[edit]

Appearances and goals[edit]

[68][230]

No. Pos Nat Player Total League One FA Cup League Cup Football League Trophy
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK England ENG Mark Cousins 26 0 23 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
2 DF England ENG David Wright 12 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 DF England ENG Magnus Okuonghae 46 3 42+1 3 1 0 1 0 1 0
6 DF England ENG Matt Heath 7 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
7 MF England ENG Karl Duguid 7 0 3+2 0 0 0 0+1 0 1 0
8 MF Republic of Ireland IRL John-Joe O'Toole 16 0 4+11 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0
9 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Clinton Morrison 35 2 17+15 2 0+1 0 1 0 1 0
10 MF England ENG Kemal Izzet 12 0 9+2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
11 FW England ENG Freddie Sears 37 8 22+13 7 0+1 0 0 0 1 1
14 MF England ENG Andy Bond 28 0 16+11 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
15 MF Jamaica JAM Marcus Bean 33 0 26+5 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
17[a] FW England ENG Jabo Ibehre 31 8 30 8 1 0 0 0 0 0
18 DF England ENG Tom Eastman 32 2 26+3 2 1 0 1 0 0+1 0
19 FW England ENG Freddie Ladapo 4 0 0+4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20 DF England ENG Brian Wilson 42 0 41 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
21 FW England ENG Gavin Massey 41 6 34+6 6 0+1 0 0 0 0 0
25 DF England ENG John White 24 0 16+6 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
27 FW England ENG Tosin Olufemi 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
28 MF England ENG Alex Gilbey 4 0 2+1 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0
30 MF England ENG Drey Wright 23 3 9+12 3 0 0 1 0 0+1 0
40 DF England ENG Josh Thompson 22 1 16+6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Players who appeared for Colchester who left during the season
3 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Bradley Garmston 13 0 10+3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 DF England ENG Michael Rose 24 3 22 2 1 1 1 0 0 0
12 FW England ENG Troy Hewitt 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 FW England ENG Dominic Samuel 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 GK England ENG John Sullivan 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 FW England ENG Ian Henderson 25 3 14+8 3 1 0 1 0 1 0
22 FW England ENG Michael Smith 8 1 3+5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
22 MF England ENG Anthony Wordsworth 27 3 23+1 3 1 0 1 0 1 0
24 DF England ENG Ben Coker 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
33 MF Wales WAL Jack Compton 7 0 1+6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
33 MF England ENG Craig Eastmond 13 2 12 2 1 0 0 0 0 0
39 FW England ENG George Porter 19 1 13+6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
39 FW England ENG Sanchez Watt 7 2 5+1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0
41 MF England ENG Billy Clifford 18 1 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
41 DF England ENG Dan Potts 5 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
44 GK England ENG Sam Walker 19 0 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  1. ^ Ibehre wore shirt number 12 during his initial loan spell with the club

Goalscorers[edit]

[230]

Place Number Nationality Position Name League One FA Cup League Cup Football League Trophy Total
1 11 England ST Freddie Sears 7 0 0 0 8
17[a] England FW Jabo Ibehre 8 0 0 0 8
3 21 England FW Gavin Massey 6 0 0 0 6
4 3 England LB Michael Rose 2 1 0 0 3
4 England CB Magnus Okuonghae 3 0 0 0 3
16 England FW/MF Ian Henderson 3 0 0 0 3
22 England MF Anthony Wordsworth 3 0 0 0 3
30 England MF Drey Wright 3 0 0 0 3
9 9 Republic of Ireland FW Clinton Morrison 2 0 0 0 2
18 England CB Tom Eastman 2 0 0 0 2
33 England MF Craig Eastmond 2 0 0 0 2
39 England ST Sanchez Watt 2 0 0 0 2
13 ST England FW Michael Smith 1 0 0 0 1
39 England WG/ST George Porter 1 0 0 0 1
40 England CB Josh Thompson 1 0 0 0 1
41 England MF Billy Clifford 1 0 0 0 1
Own goals 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 47 1 0 1 49
  1. ^ Ibehre wore shirt number 12 during his initial loan spell with the club

Disciplinary record[edit]

[231]

Number Nationality Position Name League One FA Cup