Ahead of the Spireites’ return to the Football League and League Two, we are taking a look at all 23 other teams that make up the division.
We are continuing with Colchester United:
FACT FILE
Team Name: Colchester United Football Club
Nickname: The U’s
Year Founded: 1937
Stadium: JobServe Community Stadium
Capacity: 10,105
2023/24 SEASON
Colchester United recorded just four wins from the start of the season until mid-October in all competitions. This cost Ben Garner his job with Matthew Etherington being named as his replacement in November. By that point, the U’s had started to pick up some form. However, the new Head Coach managed just one solitary win against Salford City by the start of 2024. Etherington was sacked after eight defeats in nine matches with Danny Cowley announced soon after. Colchester would manage another four victories until the end of the season but became difficult to beat. On the final day, they drew 1-1 with Crewe Alexandra to keep their league status – finishing just three points above the relegation zone.
MANAGER
Danny Cowley started his managerial career with Concord Rangers in 2008. In his seven years with the club, he won the Isthmian Premier League as well as the Isthmian League Cup. After a spell with Braintree, Cowley was named as manager of Lincoln City. Alongside many personal accolades, he led the Imps to a National League title, an EFL Trophy, a League Two title and an FA Cup quarter-final. The former midfielder would later have spells with Huddersfield Town and Portsmouth before joining Colchester United in January 2024.
KEY PLAYER
Arthur Read was one of the standout players for the U’s last season, despite their disappointing league position. The midfielder has shown that he has an eye for goal whether that be from range or inside the area. Read has also proven his versatility – playing across the midfield.
Last season in numbers:
Appearances – 42
Goals – 5
Assists – 6
Yellow Cards – 7
Red Cards – 1
Minutes Played – 3,940
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Dean Morgan signed his first professional contract for Colchester United in 2000 after spending a period in the club’s academy. He had to wait for his chances as he started to make more appearances in his second season. The winger played 72 times and scored six goals before he left the club in 2003.
In the summer of 2010, Morgan signed for Chesterfield and found immediate success with John Sheridan’s side. He played 24 times during his first year in North Derbyshire as the Spireites secured the League Two title. The future Montserrat international played another 19 times in the campaign after, playing a part in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy winning side, but joined Oxford United on loan in March 2012. At the end of the 2011/12 season, Morgan left Chesterfield at the end of his contract.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
P 7 W 19 D 17 L 26
Colchester have been the better team when it comes to head-to-head fixtures against Chesterfield – partially thanks to just one defeat in the first 14 meetings between the two sides. The Spireites are unbeaten in the last six games with two wins and four draws.
PREVIOUS GAME
The last meeting between the sides took place in December 2017 at the SMH Group Stadium. Unfortunately, the fixture didn’t produce much in the way of excitement. Joe Rowley had a first half low drive saved by the legs of Sam Walker. The goalkeeper was then needed to punch the ball out for a corner before Rowley could head home from close-range. Sammie Szmodics almost won the game for the U’s with a fierce long-range effort that whistled beyond the post but the game finished goalless.
