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 EmbersonGKEpsom (1973-07-13)13 July 1973 (aged 23)1290 Millwall6 July 1994£25,000
Tamer FernandesGKPaddington (1974-12-07)7 December 1974 (aged 22)00 Peterborough United28 January 1998Free transfer
Defenders
Simon BettsFBMiddlesbrough (1973-03-03)3 March 1973 (aged 24)17211 Scarborough11 December 1992Free transfer
Peter CawleyCBWalton-on-Thames (1965-09-15)15 September 1965 (aged 31)1849 Barnet30 October 1992[lower-alpha 1]Free transfer
Joe DunneFBDublin (1973-05-25)25 May 1973 (aged 24)472 Gillingham27 March 1996Free transfer
David GreeneCB Luton (1973-10-26)26 October 1973 (aged 23)714 Luton Town21 June 1996£30,000
Nicky HaydonDF/MFBarking (1978-08-10)10 August 1978 (aged 18)11Youth team1 August 1995Free transfer
Scott StampsFBEdgbaston (1975-03-20)20 March 1975 (aged 22)80 Torquay United26 March 1997£15,000
Midfielders
Paul BuckleMFHatfield (1970-12-16)16 December 1970 (aged 26)293 Wycombe Wanderers28 November 1996Free transfer
Karl DuguidMFLetchworth (1978-03-21)21 March 1978 (aged 19)424Youth team9 December 1995[lower-alpha 2]Free transfer
Steve ForbesMFStoke Newington (1975-12-24)24 December 1975 (aged 21)11 Millwall14 March 1997Free transfer
Jeremy GossMF Dhekelia (1965-05-11)11 May 1965 (aged 32)00 Heart of MidlothianJanuary 1998Free transfer
David GregoryMFSudbury (1970-01-23)23 January 1970 (aged 27)581 Peterborough United8 December 1995Free transfer
Dave RainfordMFStepney (1979-04-21)21 April 1979 (aged 18)00Youth teamJuly 1997Free transfer
Aaron SkeltonMF/DFWelwyn Garden City (1974-11-22)22 November 1974 (aged 22)00 Luton Town3 July 1997Free transfer
Richard WilkinsMF/DFLambeth (1965-05-28)28 May 1965 (aged 32)23034 Hereford United3 July 1996£17,500
Forwards
Paul AbrahamsFW/WGColchester (1973-10-31)31 October 1973 (aged 23)11924 Brentford23 October 1996£20,000
Tony AdcockFWBethnal Green (1963-03-27)27 March 1963 (aged 34)314143 Luton Town3 August 1995Free transfer
Neil GregoryFW Ndola (1972-10-07)7 October 1972 (aged 24)105 Ipswich Town26 March 1998£50,000
Ian HathawayWGWordsley (1968-08-22)22 August 1968 (aged 28)00 Torquay United1 August 1997Free transfer
Tony LockFWHarlow (1976-09-03)3 September 1976 (aged 20)102Apprentice28 January 1995[lower-alpha 2]Free transfer
Mark SaleFWBurton upon Trent (1972-02-27)27 February 1972 (aged 25)133 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 Dave Rainford Youth team Free transfer [7][8]
3 July 1997 MF/DF Aaron Skelton Luton Town Free transfer [9][10]
1 August 1997 WG Ian Hathaway Torquay United Free transfer [11][12]
8 September 1997 GK Paul Newell Sittingbourne Non-contract [13]
January 1998 MF Jeremy Goss Heart of Midlothian Free transfer [14]
28 January 1998 GK Tamer Fernandes Peterborough United Free transfer [15][16]
26 March 1998 FW Neil Gregory Ipswich Town £50,000 [17][18]
  • Total spending: ~ £50,000

    Out
    Date Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
    End of season MF Ernie Cooksey Heybridge Swifts Released [19][20]
    Summer 1997 GK Garrett Caldwell Toronto Supra Undisclosed [21][22]
    Summer 1997 CB Andy Partner Heybridge Swifts Free transfer [23]
    31 May 1997 FB Paul Gibbs Torquay United Free transfer [24][25]
    31 May 1997 CB Tony McCarthy Shelbourne[lower-alpha 1] Released [26][27]
    July 1997 MF/WG Chris Fry Exeter City Released [28][29]
    1 August 1997 MF/FB Adam Locke Bristol City Free transfer [30][31]
    17 September 1997 GK Paul Newell Northampton Town[lower-alpha 2] Released [13]
    27 February 1998 FW Steve Whitton Free agent[lower-alpha 3] Retired [32][33]
    • Total incoming: ~ £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 Isaiah Rankin Arsenal 26 December 1997 [34][35]
    16 October 1997 CB Wayne Brown Ipswich Town 8 November 1997 [36][37]
    1 January 1998 FW Neil Gregory Ipswich Town 2 March 1998 [17][18]
    9 February 1998 CB Guy Branston 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 Dave Rainford 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) 1Colchester United2–1DarlingtonColchester
      15:00 BST Abrahams  32'
      Buckle  59' (pen.)      		 Report Oliver  75' (pen.)
      Brydon  81'      		 Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,958
      Referee: Barry Knight
      16 August 1997 (1997-08-16) 2Hartlepool United3–2Colchester UnitedHartlepool
      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) 3Colchester United1–1BarnetColchester
      19:45 BST Wilkins  72' Report Howarth  59' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 3,286
      Referee: M Bailey
      30 August 1997 (1997-08-30) 4Torquay United1–1Colchester UnitedTorquay
      Gittens  85' Report Wilkins  65' Stadium: Plainmoor
      Attendance: 2,081
      Referee: D Crick
      2 September 1997 (1997-09-02) 5Cambridge United4–1Colchester UnitedCambridge
      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) 6Colchester United3–1Brighton & Hove AlbionColchester
      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) 7Colchester United1–0ScarboroughColchester
      19:45 BST Lock  87' Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,756
      Referee: Alan Wiley
      20 September 1997 (1997-09-20) 8Swansea City0–1Colchester UnitedSwansea
      Report Greene  49' Stadium: Vetch Field
      Attendance: 3,414
      Referee: Scott Mathieson
      27 September 1997 (1997-09-27) 9Colchester United1–2Exeter CityColchester
      15:00 BST Abrahams  52'
      Greene  62'      		 Report Rowbotham  28'
      Flack  56'      		 Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 3,175
      Referee: A Butler
      4 October 1997 (1997-10-04) 10Mansfield Town1–1Colchester UnitedMansfield
      Whitehall  6' Report Greene  12' Stadium: Field Mill
      Attendance: 2,341
      Referee: K Lynch
      11 October 1997 (1997-10-11) 11Peterborough United3–2Colchester UnitedPeterborough
      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) 12Colchester United1–1Shrewsbury TownColchester
      15:00 BST Skelton  51' Report Seabury  25' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,977
      Referee: Rob Harris
      21 October 1997 (1997-10-21) 13Colchester United2–1Doncaster RoversColchester
      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) 14Leyton Orient0–2Colchester UnitedLeyton
      15:00 BST Report Adcock  4'
      Forbes  78'      		 Stadium: Brisbane Road
      Attendance: 4,592
      Referee: Anthony Bates
      31 October 1997 (1997-10-31) 15Colchester United3–3Scunthorpe UnitedColchester
      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) 16Macclesfield Town0–0Colchester UnitedMacclesfield
      Report Stadium: Moss Rose
      Attendance: 1,577
      Referee: Chris Foy
      8 November 1997 (1997-11-08) 17Rochdale2–1Colchester UnitedRochdale
      Stuart  44'
      Painter  65' (pen.)      		 Report Duguid  60' Stadium: Spotland Stadium
      Attendance: 1,702
      Referee: Terry Heilbron
      18 November 1997 (1997-11-18) 18Colchester United2–0Notts CountyColchester
      19:45 GMT Sale  67'
      Rankin  86'      		 Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,643
      Referee: Rob Styles
      22 November 1997 (1997-11-22) 19Colchester United0–1Lincoln CityColchester
      Cawley  61'  90' Report Gordon  61' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,932
      Referee: R Pearson
      29 November 1997 (1997-11-29) 20Rotherham United3–2Colchester UnitedRotherham
      Glover  11', 62'
      Knill  73'      		 Report Skelton  47'
      Sale  61'      		 Stadium: Millmoor
      Attendance: 3,259
      Referee: William Burns
      13 December 1997 (1997-12-13) 21Hull City3–1Colchester UnitedKingston 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) 22Colchester United2–0Chester CityColchester
      19:45 GMT Adcock  13'
      Duguid  75'      		 Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 1,867
      Referee: M Pierce
      26 December 1997 (1997-12-26) 23Brighton & Hove Albion4–4Colchester UnitedGillingham
      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) 24Colchester United3–2Cambridge UnitedColchester
      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) 25Colchester United1–2Hartlepool UnitedColchester
      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) 26Darlington4–2Colchester UnitedDarlington
      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) 27Colchester United1–0Torquay UnitedColchester
      19:45 GMT Lock  86' Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,776
      Referee: Fraser Stretton
      20 January 1998 (1998-01-20) 28Colchester United2–1Cardiff CityColchester
      N. Gregory  69'
      Buckle  79'      		 Report Dale  85' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 1,929
      Referee: M Bailey
      24 January 1998 (1998-01-24) 29Barnet3–2Colchester UnitedChipping 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) 30Scarborough1–1Colchester UnitedScarborough
      Campbell  83' Report Whitton  46' Stadium: Athletic Ground
      Attendance: 2,219
      Referee: Graham Laws
      6 February 1998 (1998-02-06) 31Colchester United1–2Swansea CityColchester
      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) 32Colchester United2–0Mansfield TownColchester
      19:45 GMT Lock  30'
      D. Gregory  68'      		 Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,320
      Referee: J Robinson
      21 February 1998 (1998-02-21) 33Exeter City0–1Colchester UnitedExeter
      Report Lock  68' Stadium: St James Park
      Attendance: 3,346
      Referee: Anthony Bates
      24 February 1998 (1998-02-24) 34Shrewsbury Town0–2Colchester UnitedShrewsbury
      Report N. Gregory  7'
      D. Gregory  68'      		 Stadium: Gay Meadow
      Attendance: 1,972
      Referee: Clive Wilkes
      27 February 1998 (1998-02-27) 35Colchester United1–0Peterborough UnitedColchester
      19:45 GMT Branston  61' Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 4,117
      Referee: D Crick
      3 March 1998 (1998-03-03) 36Colchester United0–0RochdaleColchester
      19:45 GMT Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,112
      Referee: Steve Baines
      7 March 1998 (1998-03-07) 37Scunthorpe United1–0Colchester UnitedScunthorpe
      McAuley  17' Report Stadium: Glanford Park
      Attendance: 2,143
      Referee: K Lynch
      14 March 1998 (1998-03-14) 38Colchester United5–1Macclesfield TownColchester
      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) 39Notts County0–0Colchester UnitedNottingham
      Report Stadium: Meadow Lane
      Attendance: 6,284
      Referee: E Lomas
      28 March 1998 (1998-03-28) 40Lincoln City0–1Colchester UnitedLincoln
      Report Dunne  28' Stadium: Sincil Bank
      Attendance: 4,040
      Referee: J Brandwood
      3 April 1998 (1998-04-03) 41Colchester United2–1Rotherham UnitedColchester
      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) 42Cardiff City0–2Colchester UnitedCardiff
      Report Abrahams  48'
      D. Gregory  60'      		 Stadium: Ninian Park
      Attendance: 2,809
      Referee: M Fletcher
      13 April 1998 (1998-04-13) 43Colchester United4–3Hull CityColchester
      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) 44Chester City3–1Colchester UnitedChester
      Whelan  19'
      Fisher  35'
      Rimmer  36'      		 Report Abrahams  75' Stadium: Deva Stadium
      Attendance: 1,780
      Referee: P Richards
      25 April 1998 (1998-04-25) 45Colchester United1–1Leyton OrientColchester
      15:00 BST N. Gregory  45' Report Inglethorpe  44' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 6,220
      Referee: Andy Hall
      2 May 1998 (1998-05-02) 46Doncaster Rovers0–1Colchester UnitedDoncaster
      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 legBarnet1–0Colchester UnitedChipping Barnet
      13:30 BST Heald  48'
      Devine  82'      		 Report Branston  82'  Stadium: Underhill Stadium
      Attendance: 3,858
      Referee: Eddie Wolstenholme
      13 May 1998 (1998-05-13) Semi-final 2nd legColchester United3–1 (a.e.t.)BarnetColchester
      19:45 BST D. Gregory  12' (pen.), 95'
      Greene  65'      		 Report Goodhind  41'
      Howarth  60'      		 Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 5,863
      Referee: Terry Heilbron
      Note: Colchester win 3–2 on aggregate.
      22 May 1998 (1998-05-22) FinalColchester United1–0Torquay UnitedWembley
      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 legColchester United0–1Luton TownColchester
      19:45 BST Report Thorpe  87' Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 2,840
      Referee: Steve Bennett
      26 August 1997 (1997-08-26) 1st round 2nd legLuton Town1–1Colchester UnitedLuton
      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 roundBrentford2–2Colchester UnitedBrentford
      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 replayColchester United0–0 (a.e.t.)
      (4–2 p)      		BrentfordColchester
      19:45 GMT Report Stadium: Layer Road
      Attendance: 3,613
      Referee: Barry Knight
      6 December 1997 (1997-12-06) 2nd roundColchester United1–1Hereford UnitedColchester
      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 replayHereford United1–1 (a.e.t.)
      (5–4 p)      		Colchester UnitedHereford
      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 Orient1–0Colchester UnitedLeyton
      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 Carl Emberson 56046040201030
      DF Simon Betts 2301702+10000030
      DF Peter Cawley 33027030201000
      DF Joe Dunne 33222+323+10001030
      DF David Greene 47538440200031
      DF Nicky Haydon 2009+801+10001000
      DF Scott Stamps 3212612+10201000
      MF Paul Buckle 45533+5510201030
      MF Karl Duguid 2836+1533+10000+100+20
      MF Steve Forbes 43225+101211+100+1030
      MF David Gregory 541042+2542201033
      MF Aaron Skelton 48737+273+1010102+10
      MF Richard Wilkins 43537520200020
      FW Paul Abrahams 30716+971+10200010
      FW Tony Adcock 32519+653+100+201000
      FW Neil Gregory 18712+3700000030
      FW Ian Hathaway 1615+701+10210000
      FW Tony Lock 41614+1860+300+200+100+30
      FW Mark Sale 48838+1731201030
      Players who appeared for Colchester who left during the season
      DF Guy Branston 13112100000010
      DF Wayne Brown 200+2000000000
      FW Isaiah Rankin 12510+1500001000
      FW 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 MF David Gregory 5 2 0 0 3 10
      2 FW Mark Sale 7 1 0 0 0 8
      3 FW/WG Paul Abrahams 7 0 0 0 0 7
      FW Neil Gregory 7 0 0 0 0 7
      MF/DF Aaron Skelton 7 0 0 0 0 7
      6 FW Tony Lock 6 0 0 0 0 6
      7 FW Tony Adcock 5 0 0 0 0 5
      MF Paul Buckle 5 0 0 0 0 5
      CB David Greene 4 0 0 0 1 5
      FW Isaiah Rankin 5 0 0 0 0 5
      MF/DF Richard Wilkins 5 0 0 0 0 5
      12 MF Karl Duguid 3 0 0 0 0 3
      13 FB Joe Dunne 2 0 0 0 0 2
      MF Steve Forbes 1 1 0 0 0 2
      15 CB Guy Branston 1 0 0 0 0 1
      WG Ian Hathaway 0 0 1 0 0 1
      FB Scott Stamps 1 0 0 0 0 1
      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
      CB David Greene 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 1
      CB Peter Cawley 5 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 1
      FW Mark Sale 7 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 9 0
      FB Joe Dunne 3 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 8 0
      FW Steve Whitton 7 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
      MF Steve Forbes 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
      MF David Gregory 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 6 0
      FB Scott Stamps 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
      FW/WG Paul Abrahams 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
      FB Simon Betts 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
      CB Guy Branston 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1
      MF Karl Duguid 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
      DF/MF Nicky Haydon 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
      FW Tony Lock 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
      MF Richard Wilkins 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 0
      FW Tony Adcock 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
      MF Paul Buckle 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
      FW Neil Gregory 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
      FW Isaiah Rankin 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
      CB Wayne Brown 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
      GK Carl Emberson 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
      WG Ian Hathaway 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
      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 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 Ian Hathaway 9 August 1997 Darlington Layer Road
      MF/DF Aaron Skelton 9 August 1997 Darlington Layer Road
      FW Isaiah Rankin 27 September 1997 Exeter City Layer Road
      CB Wayne Brown 18 October 1997 Shrewsbury Town Layer Road
      FW Neil Gregory 3 January 1998 Hartlepool United Layer Road
      CB Guy Branston 13 February 1998 Mansfield Town Layer Road
      FW 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. 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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