- Founded: 1937
- Nicknames: The U’s
- Honours: Conference (1991/92), FA Trophy (1991/92)
Colchester United formed in 1937 when a number of enthusiasts of the much older Colchester Town F.C. decided to establish a new professional club in the area. The new team decided they would stay at Layer Road, the original home of Town since 1909.
The town itself lays claim as the oldest recorded establishment in Britain. It was also the first founded Roman outpost in England after Emperor Claudius’ invasion in 43AD. It served as the Roman Capital of Britain for 20 years until Boudica’s rebellion in 61AD which destroyed the town. In a more modern setting Colchester is regarded as one of the country’s fastest growing towns, after a considerable rise in population since the turn of the 20th century.
It took 13 years after the Clubs formation to join the football league, gaining promotion to Division 3 (South) in 1950. After bouncing between tiers 3 and 4 for the best part of 30 years, Colchester were relegated back into the Conference ahead of the 1990/91 season. The U’s were unable to make an immediate return to the football league as they finished runners up to Barnet, but the season later would be regarded as one of the most successful in their history.
Under player/manager and top scorer Roy McDonough, Colchester won the Conference title on the final day of the season and beat Witton Albion at Wembley in the FA Trophy final (although they did lose to Exeter in the first round of the FA Cup).
At the turn of the 21st century Colchester had stints in the second tier. Between 2006-2008 they were in the Championship, but after eight years in league one, the U’s were relegated back to the Football league basement tier. Last season, Colchester met City the play-off semi-finals when the Grecians triumphed to progress to Wembley.
Port Vale and promotion-chasing Northampton battled out a goalless draw which featured precious little action.
A forgettable first-half between two potential promotion candidates was played out primarily in the middle third of the pitch.
The visitors’ best chance saw Paul Lewis denied by a near-post save by Tomas Holy after Danny Rose had played him in.
Their leading scorer, Sam Hoskins, couldn’t convert their other half-chance, a wayward snapshot after a half-clearance came to him just outside the area.
At the other end, the Valiants’ best passing move, right at the end of the half, culminated in James Wilson’s shot hitting Fraser Horsfall and landing safely in Liam Roberts’ arms.
The second half was equally short on goalmouth action.
Scott Pollock went close to putting the Cobblers ahead but couldn’t connect with Rose’s ball across the face of goal.
Northampton substitute Beryly Lubala was lucky to only see a yellow card when he brought down the breaking Tom Pett as he charged in on goal late on.
But with play-off hopefuls Vale unable to create anything from the resulting free-kick, a poor game petered out to a goalless stalemate.
Tobi Sho-Silva’s late header salvaged Carlisle a point in a draw at fellow strugglers Colchester.
Owura Edwards and Freddie Sears went close for Colchester in the first half and Cole Skuse’s long-range strike was brilliantly saved by Carlisle goalkeeper Mark Howard just before half-time.
But early in the second half, U’s keeper Sam Hornby made a fine reflex save to deny Owen Windsor.
The visitors took a 51st-minute lead when Omari Patrick collected Sho-Silva’s assist before curling a superb shot into the far corner past Hornby.
But Colchester equalised in the 69th minute through skipper Tommy Smith, who headed home from close range after Sears had lofted the ball into his path.
The U’s went ahead five minutes later when substitute Tyreik Wright stabbed home after his first attempt had been blocked, Myles Kenlock having picked him out in the area.
But Carlisle claimed a point in the 86th minute when the unmarked Sho-Silva dived to head home Joe Riley’s cross from close range.
Northampton made it three wins out of three at the start of the season with victory at Colchester despite finishing the game with 10 men.
The Cobblers’ winner came in the 22nd minute from defender Jon Guthrie, who followed up to score from close range after initially being denied by U’s keeper Shamal George, following Sam Hoskins’ free-kick into the box.
Sylvester Jasper warmed the hands of Northampton keeper Liam Roberts just before half-time but the visitors came close to doubling their lead in first-half stoppage-time when Luke Chambers cleared Kion Etete’s close-range effort off the line.
Colchester almost equalised 10 minutes after half-time when Roberts made a pushed away Brendan Wiredu’s effort.
Nicke Kabamba’s deflected strike whistled just wide for Northampton, while at the other end, U’s substitute Freddie Sears was foiled by Roberts after racing through on goal.
Northampton’s Fraser Horsfall was shown a straight red card for a deliberate handball with five minutes remaining as he tried to cut out a Colchester attack, but the visitors claimed victory.
| Played | Won | Draw | Lost | F | A |
| 20 | 9 | 2 | 9 |
PLAYED FOR BOTH
We look at a selection of players that played for the Cobblers and Colchester.
Ben Toner will take charge of the Cobblers match v Colchester this Saturday
Ryan Whitaker and Stephen Brown
Fourth Official : Declan O’Shea
| Date | Home Team | Result | Away Team |
| 09.10.2021 | Hartlepool | 2:1 | Northampton |
| 27.03.2021 | AFC Wimbledon | 1:0 | Northampton |
| 15.02.2020 | Walsall | 3:2 | Northampton |
| 06.04.2019 | Notts County | 2:2 | Northampton |
| 17.03.2018 | Northampton | 0:3 | Rotherham |
| 26.12.2017 | Doncaster | 3:0 | Northampton |
| 04.03.2017 | Northampton | 2:1 | Charlton |
| 15.10.2016 | Northampton | 1:3 | Millwall |
| 02.04.2016 | Northampton | 2:2 | Notts County |
| 1 | Northampton won the reverse fixture against Colchester in August 1-0, the Cobblers haven’t done the double over them in the Football League since 2000-01 in the third tier. |
| 2 | Colchester have won on three of their last four trips to Northampton in the Football League (L1), as many as they had won in their previous 28 visits (W3 D7 L18). |
| 3 | Since losing their first game of 2022 – 5-2 against Swindon – Northampton have conceded just three goals in their last eight league games, fewer than any other side in League Two during that time. |
| 4 | Colchester have scored in each of their last four away league games (7 in total – W2 D2), only two fewer than in their previous 25 such games (W2 D10 L13). |
