1997–98 Colchester United F.C. season

The 1997–98 season was Colchester United's 56th season in their history and their sixth consecutive season in the fourth tier of English football, the Third Division. Alongside competing in the Third Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Football League Trophy.

Colchester United
1997–98 season
ChairmanGordon Parker[1]
ManagerSteve Wignall
StadiumLayer Road
Third Division4th (promoted)
Play-offsWinners
FA Cup2nd round
(eliminated by
Hereford United)
League Cup1st round
(eliminated by
Luton Town)
Football League Trophy1st round (southern section)
(eliminated by
Leyton Orient)
Top goalscorerLeague:
Paul Abrahams
Neil Gregory
Mark Sale
Aaron Skelton (7)
All:
David Gregory (10)
Highest home attendance6,220
v Leyton Orient, 25 April 1998[2]
Lowest home attendance1,867
v Chester City, 19 December 1997[3]
Average home league attendance3,267[4]
Biggest win5–1
v Macclesfield Town, 14 March 1998
Biggest defeat1–4
v Cambridge United, 2 September 1997

Colchester ended the season with a strong finish, one point shy of automatic promotion in fourth place. This meant another attempt at promotion via the play-offs. Colchester faced Barnet in the semi-final first leg, and they lost 1–0 at Underhill Stadium. In the return leg at Layer Road, Colchester won 3–1 to defeat Barnet 3–2 on aggregate thus achieving a place in the final and a second trip to Wembley in a year. In the final, the U's faced Torquay United. A David Gregory penalty was enough to separate the sides and promote Colchester to the third tier of English football for the first time in 17 years.

Despite reaching the final of the Football League Trophy the season prior, Colchester were knocked out at the first round stage by Leyton Orient this term. They suffered a same fate at the hands of Luton Town in the League Cup and saw a second round exit in the FA Cup to Hereford United.

Season overview

Colchester were eliminated at the first round stage of the League Cup, and also the first round of the Football League Trophy after reaching the 1997 Final. They once again lost to a non-League side in Hereford United in the FA Cup second round following a replay.

The club were awarded a settlement of £300,000 from Ipswich Town owing to the saga over George Burley's acrimonious exit from Colchester to their Suffolk neighbours in late 1994. Meanwhile, Alfred McAlpine were named as the consultants commissioned for the process of building a new stadium for Colchester United, with the club's lease on Layer Road due to expire in 2002.

Manager Steve Wignall broke the club's transfer record by spending £50,000 on Neil Gregory, who joined from Ipswich Town to reunite with his brother David.

Colchester's had a late season upturn in form, winning ten of their final 15 games as they missed automatic promotion by just one point. This meant that they had qualified for the play-offs, where they would face seventh-placed Barnet, who themselves earned a place in the play-offs by just one point ahead of Scunthorpe United.

Barnet won the first-leg at Underhill Stadium 1–0, but both sides were reduced to ten men in the game after Guy Branston was sent off for the U's and Sean Devine saw red for Barnet. Colchester won the Layer Road leg 3–1 after extra time with goals from David Gregory and David Greene. Barnet also had Lee Howarth sent off on 60 minutes while Barnet were leading 2–1 on aggregate.

The win took Colchester to Wembley for the second time in a year and a third trip in six years. The fixture was moved to Friday night to accommodate an England versus Saudi Arabia friendly, and as such attracted a relatively low crowd of 19,486. The game was also broadcast on Sky Sports. David Gregory converted from the penalty spot on 22 minutes to win the match 1–0 for Colchester and earn promotion back to the third tier of English football for the first time in 17 years.[5]

Players
As of match played 22 May 1998.[6]
Name Position Nationality Place of birth Date of birth Apps Goals Signed from Date signed Fee
Goalkeepers
Carl EmbersonGKEnglandEpsom (1973-07-13)13 July 1973 (aged 23)1290England Millwall6 July 1994£25,000
Tamer FernandesGKEnglandPaddington (1974-12-07)7 December 1974 (aged 22)00England Peterborough United28 January 1998Free transfer
Defenders
Simon BettsFBEnglandMiddlesbrough (1973-03-03)3 March 1973 (aged 24)17211England Scarborough11 December 1992Free transfer
Peter CawleyCBEnglandWalton-on-Thames (1965-09-15)15 September 1965 (aged 31)1849England Barnet30 October 1992[lower-alpha 1]Free transfer
Joe DunneFBRepublic of IrelandDublin (1973-05-25)25 May 1973 (aged 24)472England Gillingham27 March 1996Free transfer
David GreeneCBRepublic of IrelandEngland Luton (1973-10-26)26 October 1973 (aged 23)714England Luton Town21 June 1996£30,000
Nicky HaydonDF/MFEnglandBarking (1978-08-10)10 August 1978 (aged 18)11Youth team1 August 1995Free transfer
Scott StampsFBEnglandEdgbaston (1975-03-20)20 March 1975 (aged 22)80England Torquay United26 March 1997£15,000
Midfielders
Paul BuckleMFEnglandHatfield (1970-12-16)16 December 1970 (aged 26)293England Wycombe Wanderers28 November 1996Free transfer
Karl DuguidMFEnglandLetchworth (1978-03-21)21 March 1978 (aged 19)424Youth team9 December 1995[lower-alpha 2]Free transfer
Steve ForbesMFEnglandStoke Newington (1975-12-24)24 December 1975 (aged 21)11England Millwall14 March 1997Free transfer
Jeremy GossMFWalesUnited Kingdom Dhekelia (1965-05-11)11 May 1965 (aged 32)00Scotland Heart of MidlothianJanuary 1998Free transfer
David GregoryMFEnglandSudbury (1970-01-23)23 January 1970 (aged 27)581England Peterborough United8 December 1995Free transfer
Dave RainfordMFEnglandStepney (1979-04-21)21 April 1979 (aged 18)00Youth teamJuly 1997Free transfer
Aaron SkeltonMF/DFEnglandWelwyn Garden City (1974-11-22)22 November 1974 (aged 22)00England Luton Town3 July 1997Free transfer
Richard WilkinsMF/DFEnglandLambeth (1965-05-28)28 May 1965 (aged 32)23034England Hereford United3 July 1996£17,500
Forwards
Paul AbrahamsFW/WGEnglandColchester (1973-10-31)31 October 1973 (aged 23)11924England Brentford23 October 1996£20,000
Tony AdcockFWEnglandBethnal Green (1963-03-27)27 March 1963 (aged 34)314143England Luton Town3 August 1995Free transfer
Neil GregoryFWEnglandZambia Ndola (1972-10-07)7 October 1972 (aged 24)105England Ipswich Town26 March 1998£50,000
Ian HathawayWGEnglandWordsley (1968-08-22)22 August 1968 (aged 28)00England Torquay United1 August 1997Free transfer
Tony LockFWEnglandHarlow (1976-09-03)3 September 1976 (aged 20)102Apprentice28 January 1995[lower-alpha 2]Free transfer
Mark SaleFWEnglandBurton upon Trent (1972-02-27)27 February 1972 (aged 25)133England Mansfield Town10 March 1997£23,500
  1. Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game in his second spell for the club
  2. Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game for the club

Transfers

In
Date Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
July 1997 MF England Dave Rainford Youth team Free transfer [7][8]
3 July 1997 MF/DF England Aaron Skelton England Luton Town Free transfer [9][10]
1 August 1997 WG England Ian Hathaway England Torquay United Free transfer [11][12]
8 September 1997 GK England Paul Newell England Sittingbourne Non-contract [13]
January 1998 MF Wales Jeremy Goss Scotland Heart of Midlothian Free transfer [14]
28 January 1998 GK England Tamer Fernandes England Peterborough United Free transfer [15][16]
26 March 1998 FW England Neil Gregory England Ipswich Town £50,000 [17][18]
  • Total spending: Decrease ~ £50,000

    Out
    Date Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
    End of season MF England Ernie Cooksey England Heybridge Swifts Released [19][20]
    Summer 1997 GK Canada Garrett Caldwell Canada Toronto Supra Undisclosed [21][22]
    Summer 1997 CB England Andy Partner England Heybridge Swifts Free transfer [23]
    31 May 1997 FB England Paul Gibbs England Torquay United Free transfer [24][25]
    31 May 1997 CB Republic of Ireland Tony McCarthy Republic of Ireland Shelbourne[lower-alpha 1] Released [26][27]
    July 1997 MF/WG Wales Chris Fry England Exeter City Released [28][29]
    1 August 1997 MF/FB England Adam Locke England Bristol City Free transfer [30][31]
    17 September 1997 GK England Paul Newell England Northampton Town[lower-alpha 2] Released [13]
    27 February 1998 FW England Steve Whitton Free agent[lower-alpha 3] Retired [32][33]
    • Total incoming: Increase ~ £0
    1. Following Tony McCarthy's release by Colchester United, he later signed for Shelbourne.
    2. Following Paul Newell's release by Colchester United, he later signed for Northampton Town.
    3. After retiring through injury, Steve Whitton remained at Colchester United as assistant manager.

    Loans in
    Date Position Nationality Name From End date Ref.
    26 September 1997 FW England Isaiah Rankin England Arsenal 26 December 1997 [34][35]
    16 October 1997 CB England Wayne Brown England Ipswich Town 8 November 1997 [36][37]
    1 January 1998 FW England Neil Gregory England Ipswich Town 2 March 1998 [17][18]
    9 February 1998 CB England Guy Branston England Leicester City 10 May 1998 [38][39][lower-alpha 1]
    1. Loan end date refers to the date of the player's final game in his first spell for the club

    Loans out
    Date Position Nationality Name To End date Ref.
    24 December 1997 MF England Dave Rainford England Wivenhoe Town 24 February 1998 [7][8]

      Match details

      Third Division
      Main article: 1997–98 Football League

      Results round by round
      Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
      GroundHAHAAHHAHAAHHAHAAHHAAHAHHAHHAAHHAAHHAHAAHAHAHA
      ResultWLDDLWWWLDLDWWDDLWLLLWDWLLWWLDLWWWWDLWDWWWWLDW
      Position412814181288101014149878129111316141513131312131313131211118911897664554
      Source: 11v11.com
      A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

      League table

      Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
      2 Macclesfield Town[lower-alpha 1] 46 23 13 10 63 44 +19 82 Promoted
      3 Lincoln City 46 20 15 11 60 51 +9 75
      4 Colchester United 46 21 11 14 72 60 +12 74 Promoted through play-offs
      5 Torquay United 46 21 11 14 68 59 +9 74 Participated in play-offs
      6 Scarborough 46 19 15 12 67 58 +9 72
      Source:
      Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
      Notes:
      1. New club in the league

      Matches
      9 August 1997 (1997-08-09) 1 Colchester United 2–1 Darlington Colchester
      15:00 BST Abrahams 32'
      Buckle 59' (pen.)      		 Report Oliver 75' (pen.)
      Brydon Red card 81'      		 Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,958
      Referee: Barry Knight
      16 August 1997 (1997-08-16) 2 Hartlepool United 3–2 Colchester United Hartlepool
      Baker 3'
      Allon 56', 63'      		 Report Buckle 38' (pen.)
      Abrahams 60'      		 Stadium: Victoria Park
      Attendance: 2,174
      Referee: P Robinson
      22 August 1997 (1997-08-22) 3 Colchester United 1–1 Barnet Colchester
      19:45 BST Wilkins 72' Report Howarth 59' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 3,286
      Referee: M Bailey
      30 August 1997 (1997-08-30) 4 Torquay United 1–1 Colchester United Torquay
      Gittens 85' Report Wilkins 65' Stadium: Plainmoor
      Attendance: 2,081
      Referee: D Crick
      2 September 1997 (1997-09-02) 5 Cambridge United 4–1 Colchester United Cambridge
      19:45 BST Butler 6', 46'
      Taylor 61', 68'      		 Report D. Gregory 36' Stadium: Abbey Stadium
      Attendance: 3,264
      Referee: Fraser Stretton
      8 September 1997 (1997-09-08) 6 Colchester United 3–1 Brighton & Hove Albion Colchester
      19:45 BST Greene 4', 57'
      Abrahams 49'      		 Report Baird 47' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 3,081
      Referee: J Kirkby
      12 September 1997 (1997-09-12) 7 Colchester United 1–0 Scarborough Colchester
      19:45 BST Lock 87' Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,756
      Referee: Alan Wiley
      20 September 1997 (1997-09-20) 8 Swansea City 0–1 Colchester United Swansea
      Report Greene 49' Stadium: Vetch Field
      Attendance: 3,414
      Referee: Scott Mathieson
      27 September 1997 (1997-09-27) 9 Colchester United 1–2 Exeter City Colchester
      15:00 BST Abrahams 52'
      Greene Red card 62'      		 Report Rowbotham 28'
      Flack 56'      		 Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 3,175
      Referee: A Butler
      4 October 1997 (1997-10-04) 10 Mansfield Town 1–1 Colchester United Mansfield
      Whitehall 6' Report Greene 12' Stadium: Field Mill
      Attendance: 2,341
      Referee: K Lynch
      11 October 1997 (1997-10-11) 11 Peterborough United 3–2 Colchester United Peterborough
      Carruthers 55'
      Houghton 58'
      Quinn 78'      		 Report Rankin 32'
      Adcock 82'      		 Stadium: London Road Stadium
      Attendance: 6,277
      Referee: Paul Taylor
      18 October 1997 (1997-10-18) 12 Colchester United 1–1 Shrewsbury Town Colchester
      15:00 BST Skelton 51' Report Seabury 25' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,977
      Referee: Rob Harris
      21 October 1997 (1997-10-21) 13 Colchester United 2–1 Doncaster Rovers Colchester
      19:45 BST Sale 8'
      Skelton 8'      		 Report McDonald 31' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,588
      Referee: Andy D'Urso
      25 October 1997 (1997-10-25) 14 Leyton Orient 0–2 Colchester United Leyton
      15:00 BST Report Adcock 4'
      Forbes 78'      		 Stadium: Brisbane Road
      Attendance: 4,592
      Referee: Anthony Bates
      31 October 1997 (1997-10-31) 15 Colchester United 3–3 Scunthorpe United Colchester
      19:30 GMT Rankin 2'
      Buckle 35'
      Sale 40'      		 Report Hope 52'
      D'Auria 61', 63'      		 Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 3,134
      Referee: Roger Furnandiz
      4 November 1997 (1997-11-04) 16 Macclesfield Town 0–0 Colchester United Macclesfield
      Report Stadium: Moss Rose
      Attendance: 1,577
      Referee: Chris Foy
      8 November 1997 (1997-11-08) 17 Rochdale 2–1 Colchester United Rochdale
      Stuart 44'
      Painter 65' (pen.)      		 Report Duguid 60' Stadium: Spotland Stadium
      Attendance: 1,702
      Referee: Terry Heilbron
      18 November 1997 (1997-11-18) 18 Colchester United 2–0 Notts County Colchester
      19:45 GMT Sale 67'
      Rankin 86'      		 Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,643
      Referee: Rob Styles
      22 November 1997 (1997-11-22) 19 Colchester United 0–1 Lincoln City Colchester
      Cawley Yellow card 61' Red card 90' Report Gordon 61' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,932
      Referee: R Pearson
      29 November 1997 (1997-11-29) 20 Rotherham United 3–2 Colchester United Rotherham
      Glover 11', 62'
      Knill 73'      		 Report Skelton 47'
      Sale 61'      		 Stadium: Millmoor
      Attendance: 3,259
      Referee: William Burns
      13 December 1997 (1997-12-13) 21 Hull City 3–1 Colchester United Kingston upon Hull
      Dewhurst 54'
      Rioch 57' (pen.)
      Darby 82'      		 Report Adcock 88' Stadium: Boothferry Park
      Attendance: 3,896
      Referee: Mike Jones
      19 December 1997 (1997-12-19) 22 Colchester United 2–0 Chester City Colchester
      19:45 GMT Adcock 13'
      Duguid 75'      		 Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 1,867
      Referee: M Pierce
      26 December 1997 (1997-12-26) 23 Brighton & Hove Albion 4–4 Colchester United Gillingham
      Emblen 47', 61', 67'
      Minton 86' (pen.)      		 Report Rankin 15', 29'
      Adcock 13'
      Stamps 75'      		 Stadium: Priestfield Stadium
      Attendance: 2,647
      Referee: Mark Halsey
      29 December 1997 (1997-12-29) 24 Colchester United 3–2 Cambridge United Colchester
      19:45 GMT Wilkins 45', 48'
      Skelton 67'      		 Report Barnwell-Edinboro 6', 69' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 4,518
      Referee: Paul Rejer
      3 January 1998 (1998-01-03) 25 Colchester United 1–2 Hartlepool United Colchester
      15:00 GMT Buckle 81' Report Clark 13'
      Howard 74'      		 Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,885
      Referee: Alan Wiley
      10 January 1998 (1998-01-10) 26 Darlington 4–2 Colchester United Darlington
      Gaughan 40'
      Roberts 59'
      Haydon 84' (o.g.)
      Dorner 86'      		 Report N. Gregory 69', 78' Stadium: Feethams
      Attendance: 2,170
      Referee: Scott Mathieson
      16 January 1998 (1998-01-16) 27 Colchester United 1–0 Torquay United Colchester
      19:45 GMT Lock 86' Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,776
      Referee: Fraser Stretton
      20 January 1998 (1998-01-20) 28 Colchester United 2–1 Cardiff City Colchester
      N. Gregory 69'
      Buckle 79'      		 Report Dale 85' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 1,929
      Referee: M Bailey
      24 January 1998 (1998-01-24) 29 Barnet 3–2 Colchester United Chipping Barnet
      Devine 44', 65'
      McGleish 59'      		 Report Skelton 4'
      Wilkins 83'      		 Stadium: Underhill Stadium
      Attendance: 2,471
      Referee: Paul Danson
      31 January 1998 (1998-01-31) 30 Scarborough 1–1 Colchester United Scarborough
      Campbell 83' Report Whitton 46' Stadium: Athletic Ground
      Attendance: 2,219
      Referee: Graham Laws
      6 February 1998 (1998-02-06) 31 Colchester United 1–2 Swansea City Colchester
      19:45 GMT N. Gregory 27' Report Coates 52'
      Price 78'      		 Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,789
      Referee: J Kirkby
      13 February 1998 (1998-02-13) 32 Colchester United 2–0 Mansfield Town Colchester
      19:45 GMT Lock 30'
      D. Gregory 68'      		 Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,320
      Referee: J Robinson
      21 February 1998 (1998-02-21) 33 Exeter City 0–1 Colchester United Exeter
      Report Lock 68' Stadium: St James Park
      Attendance: 3,346
      Referee: Anthony Bates
      24 February 1998 (1998-02-24) 34 Shrewsbury Town 0–2 Colchester United Shrewsbury
      Report N. Gregory 7'
      D. Gregory 68'      		 Stadium: Gay Meadow
      Attendance: 1,972
      Referee: Clive Wilkes
      27 February 1998 (1998-02-27) 35 Colchester United 1–0 Peterborough United Colchester
      19:45 GMT Branston 61' Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 4,117
      Referee: D Crick
      3 March 1998 (1998-03-03) 36 Colchester United 0–0 Rochdale Colchester
      19:45 GMT Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,112
      Referee: Steve Baines
      7 March 1998 (1998-03-07) 37 Scunthorpe United 1–0 Colchester United Scunthorpe
      McAuley 17' Report Stadium: Glanford Park
      Attendance: 2,143
      Referee: K Lynch
      14 March 1998 (1998-03-14) 38 Colchester United 5–1 Macclesfield Town Colchester
      15:00 GMT Sale 36', 57'
      Skelton 76'
      Abrahams 79'
      Lock 88'      		 Report Whittaker 38' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,760
      Referee: Steve Bennett
      21 March 1998 (1998-03-21) 39 Notts County 0–0 Colchester United Nottingham
      Report Stadium: Meadow Lane
      Attendance: 6,284
      Referee: E Lomas
      28 March 1998 (1998-03-28) 40 Lincoln City 0–1 Colchester United Lincoln
      Report Dunne 28' Stadium: Sincil Bank
      Attendance: 4,040
      Referee: J Brandwood
      3 April 1998 (1998-04-03) 41 Colchester United 2–1 Rotherham United Colchester
      19:30 BST Skelton 11'
      Sale 55'      		 Report Martindale 12' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 3,824
      Referee: Rob Styles
      11 April 1998 (1998-04-11) 42 Cardiff City 0–2 Colchester United Cardiff
      Report Abrahams 48'
      D. Gregory 60'      		 Stadium: Ninian Park
      Attendance: 2,809
      Referee: M Fletcher
      13 April 1998 (1998-04-13) 43 Colchester United 4–3 Hull City Colchester
      15:00 BST D. Gregory 6'
      Lock 13'
      Dunne 79'
      Duguid 90'      		 Report Boyack 24'
      McGinty 48'
      Darby 70'      		 Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 4,700
      Referee: Paul Taylor
      18 April 1998 (1998-04-18) 44 Chester City 3–1 Colchester United Chester
      Whelan 19'
      Fisher 35'
      Rimmer 36'      		 Report Abrahams 75' Stadium: Deva Stadium
      Attendance: 1,780
      Referee: P Richards
      25 April 1998 (1998-04-25) 45 Colchester United 1–1 Leyton Orient Colchester
      15:00 BST N. Gregory 45' Report Inglethorpe 44' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 6,220
      Referee: Andy Hall
      2 May 1998 (1998-05-02) 46 Doncaster Rovers 0–1 Colchester United Doncaster
      15:00 BST Report N. Gregory 56' Stadium: Belle Vue
      Attendance: 3,572
      Referee: Terry Heilbron

      Football League play-offs
      Main article: 1998 Football League play-offs § Third Division
      10 May 1998 (1998-05-10) Semi-final 1st leg Barnet 1–0 Colchester United Chipping Barnet
      13:30 BST Heald 48'
      Devine Red card 82'      		 Report Branston Yellow card 82' Red card Stadium: Underhill Stadium
      Attendance: 3,858
      Referee: Eddie Wolstenholme
      13 May 1998 (1998-05-13) Semi-final 2nd leg Colchester United 3–1 (a.e.t.) Barnet Colchester
      19:45 BST D. Gregory 12' (pen.), 95'
      Greene 65'      		 Report Goodhind 41'
      Howarth Red card 60'      		 Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 5,863
      Referee: Terry Heilbron
      Note: Colchester win 3–2 on aggregate.
      22 May 1998 (1998-05-22) Final Colchester United 1–0 Torquay United Wembley
      19:45 BST D. Gregory 22' (pen.) Report Stadium: Wembley Stadium
      Attendance: 19,486
      Referee: M Fletcher

      Football League Cup
      Main article: 1997–98 Football League Cup
      12 August 1997 (1997-08-12) 1st round 1st leg Colchester United 0–1 Luton Town Colchester
      19:45 BST Report Thorpe 87' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,840
      Referee: Steve Bennett
      26 August 1997 (1997-08-26) 1st round 2nd leg Luton Town 1–1 Colchester United Luton
      Thorpe 34' Report Hathaway 51' Stadium: Kenilworth Road
      Attendance: 2,816
      Note: Luton win 2–1 on aggregate.

      FA Cup
      Main article: 1997–98 FA Cup
      15 November 1997 (1997-11-15) 1st round Brentford 2–2 Colchester United Brentford
      15:00 GMT Taylor 9', 55' Report Sale 38'
      D. Gregory 88'      		 Stadium: Griffin Park
      Attendance: 2,899
      Referee: Barry Knight
      25 November 1997 (1997-11-25) 1st round replay Colchester United 0–0 (a.e.t.)
      (4–2 p)      		 Brentford Colchester
      19:45 GMT Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 3,613
      Referee: Barry Knight
      6 December 1997 (1997-12-06) 2nd round Colchester United 1–1 Hereford United Colchester
      15:00 GMT D. Gregory 10' Report Grayson 61' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 3,558
      Referee: K Lynch
      16 December 1997 (1997-12-16) 2nd round replay Hereford United 1–1 (a.e.t.)
      (5–4 p)      		 Colchester United Hereford
      Grayson 48' Report Forbes 47' Stadium: Edgar Street
      Attendance: 3,725
      Referee: K Lynch

      Football League Trophy
      Main article: 1997–98 Football League Trophy
      9 December 1997 (1997-12-09) 1st round (southern section) Leyton Orient 1–0 Colchester United Leyton
      Inglethorpe 51' Report Stadium: Brisbane Road
      Attendance: 933
      Referee: Andy Hall

      Squad statistics

      Appearances and goals

      [6][40]

      No. Pos Nat Player TotalThird DivisionFA CupLeague CupFootball League TrophyFootball League play-offs
      AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
      GK England ENG Carl Emberson 56046040201030
      DF England ENG Simon Betts 2301702+10000030
      DF England ENG Peter Cawley 33027030201000
      DF Republic of Ireland IRL Joe Dunne 33222+323+10001030
      DF Republic of Ireland IRL David Greene 47538440200031
      DF England ENG Nicky Haydon 2009+801+10001000
      DF England ENG Scott Stamps 3212612+10201000
      MF England ENG Paul Buckle 45533+5510201030
      MF England ENG Karl Duguid 2836+1533+10000+100+20
      MF England ENG Steve Forbes 43225+101211+100+1030
      MF England ENG David Gregory 541042+2542201033
      MF England ENG Aaron Skelton 48737+273+1010102+10
      MF England ENG Richard Wilkins 43537520200020
      FW England ENG Paul Abrahams 30716+971+10200010
      FW England ENG Tony Adcock 32519+653+100+201000
      FW England ENG Neil Gregory 18712+3700000030
      FW England ENG Ian Hathaway 1615+701+10210000
      FW England ENG Tony Lock 41614+1860+300+200+100+30
      FW England ENG Mark Sale 48838+1731201030
      Players who appeared for Colchester who left during the season
      DF England ENG Guy Branston 13112100000010
      DF England ENG Wayne Brown 200+2000000000
      FW England ENG Isaiah Rankin 12510+1500001000
      FW England ENG Steve Whitton 23115+6120000000

      Goalscorers

      [40]

      Place Nationality Position Name Third Division FA Cup League Cup Football League Trophy Football League play-offs Total
      1 England MF David Gregory 5 2 0 0 3 10
      2 England FW Mark Sale 7 1 0 0 0 8
      3 England FW/WG Paul Abrahams 7 0 0 0 0 7
      England FW Neil Gregory 7 0 0 0 0 7
      England MF/DF Aaron Skelton 7 0 0 0 0 7
      6 England FW Tony Lock 6 0 0 0 0 6
      7 England FW Tony Adcock 5 0 0 0 0 5
      England MF Paul Buckle 5 0 0 0 0 5
      Republic of Ireland CB David Greene 4 0 0 0 1 5
      England FW Isaiah Rankin 5 0 0 0 0 5
      England MF/DF Richard Wilkins 5 0 0 0 0 5
      12 England MF Karl Duguid 3 0 0 0 0 3
      13 Republic of Ireland FB Joe Dunne 2 0 0 0 0 2
      England MF Steve Forbes 1 1 0 0 0 2
      15 England CB Guy Branston 1 0 0 0 0 1
      England WG Ian Hathaway 0 0 1 0 0 1
      England FB Scott Stamps 1 0 0 0 0 1
      England FW Steve Whitton 1 0 0 0 0 1
      Own goals 0 0 0 0 0 0
      TOTALS 72 4 1 0 4 81

      Disciplinary record

      [41]

      Nationality Position Name Third Division FA Cup League Cup Football League Trophy Football League play-offs Total
      Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card
      Republic of Ireland CB David Greene 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 1
      England CB Peter Cawley 5 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 1
      England FW Mark Sale 7 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 9 0
      Republic of Ireland FB Joe Dunne 3 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 8 0
      England FW Steve Whitton 7 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
      England MF Steve Forbes 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
      England MF David Gregory 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 6 0
      England FB Scott Stamps 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
      England FW/WG Paul Abrahams 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
      England FB Simon Betts 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
      England CB Guy Branston 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1
      England MF Karl Duguid 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
      England DF/MF Nicky Haydon 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
      England FW Tony Lock 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
      England MF Richard Wilkins 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 0
      England FW Tony Adcock 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
      England MF Paul Buckle 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
      England FW Neil Gregory 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
      England FW Isaiah Rankin 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
      England CB Wayne Brown 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
      England GK Carl Emberson 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
      England WG Ian Hathaway 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
      England MF/DF Aaron Skelton 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
      TOTALS 74 2 9 0 2 0 3 0 8 1 100 3

      Clean sheets

      Number of games goalkeepers kept a clean sheet.[42]

      Place Nationality Player Third Division FA Cup League Cup Football League Trophy Football League play-offs Total
      1 England Carl Emberson 15 1 0 0 1 17
      TOTALS 15 1 0 0 1 17

      Player debuts

      Players making their first-team Colchester United debut in a fully competitive match.[43]

      Position Nationality Player Date Opponent Ground Notes
      WG England Ian Hathaway 9 August 1997 Darlington Layer Road
      MF/DF England Aaron Skelton 9 August 1997 Darlington Layer Road
      FW England Isaiah Rankin 27 September 1997 Exeter City Layer Road
      CB England Wayne Brown 18 October 1997 Shrewsbury Town Layer Road
      FW England Neil Gregory 3 January 1998 Hartlepool United Layer Road
      CB England Guy Branston 13 February 1998 Mansfield Town Layer Road
      FW England Neil Gregory 3 April 1998 Rotherham United Layer Road [44][lower-alpha 1]
      1. Second debut for the club

      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
      1. Whitehead, Jeff; Drury, Kevin (2008). The Who's Who of Colchester United: The Layer Road Years. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 279. ISBN 978-1-85983-629-3.
      2. "Colchester Utd 1–1 Leyton Orient". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      3. "Colchester Utd 2–0 Chester City". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      4. "Average Attendance Figures Per Season". Coludaybyday.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      5. Hudson, Matt (11 August 2013). "The 1990s and 2000s". Colchester United FC. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      6. "Appearances". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      7. "David Rainford". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
      8. David Rainford at Soccerbase
      9. "Aaron Skelton". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      10. Aaron Skelton at Soccerbase
      11. "Ian Hathaway". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      12. Ian Hathaway at Soccerbase
      13. Paul Newell at Soccerbase
      14. "Jeremy Goss". Flown From the Nest. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      15. "Tamer Fernandes". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
      16. Tamer Fernades at Soccerbase
      17. "Neil Gregory". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      18. Neil Gregory at Soccerbase
      19. "Ernie Loses Battle With Cancer". Colchester United FC. 3 July 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      20. Ernie Cooksey at Soccerbase
      21. "Garrett Caldwell (Goalkeeper)". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      22. Garrett Caldwell at Soccerbase
      23. "Andy Partner". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      24. "Paul Gibbs". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      25. Paul Gibbs at Soccerbase
      26. "Tony McCarthy". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      27. Tony McCarthy at Soccerbase
      28. "Chris Fry". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      29. Chris Fry at Soccerbase
      30. "Adam Locke". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      31. Adam Locke at Soccerbase
      32. "Steve Whitton (Midfielder / Forward)". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      33. Steve Whitton at Soccerbase
      34. "Isaiah Rankin". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      35. Isaiah Rankin at Soccerbase
      36. "Wayne Brown". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      37. Wayne Brown at Soccerbase
      38. "Guy Branston". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
      39. Guy Branston at Soccerbase
      40. "Goals". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
      41. "Discipline". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
      42. "Clean sheets (1st team)". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
      43. "Alltime- List of Debuts". Coludaybyday.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
      44. "Colchester Utd 2–1 Rotherham United". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
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