League Two Insight: Colchester United

Ahead of the Spireites’ return to the Football League and League Two, we are going to take 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

2024/25 Finish: 10th in Sky Bet League Two

HEAD COACH

Danny Cowley became Colchester United’s head coach in January 2024 and was tasked with keeping the club in League Two. A final day 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra was enough to secure their EFL status. In the 2024/25 season, Cowley made his side very difficult to beat as they built a play-off charge, which was ultimately unsuccessful.

Record with Colchester United:

P 74   W 24   D 29   L 21     GF 94   GA 91

KEY PLAYER

Jack Payne enjoyed his first season with Colchester United after joining from Charlton Athletic last summer. His goals and assists almost helped the club achieve a play-off spot but it did help the U’s to their best finish in five years.

Last season in numbers:

Appearances – 50

Goals – 9

Assists – 11

Yellow Cards – 5

Red Cards – 0

Minutes Played – 4,022

PLAYED FOR BOTH

In August 2021, Armando Dobra joined League Two side Colchester United on a season-long loan from Ipswich Town. He made 17 appearances for the club but struggled for game time in the second half of the campaign.

At the end of the 2021/22 season, Dobra left his parent club to join up with former Ipswich manager Pasul Cook at Chesterfield. The Albania youth international immediately became a fan favourite in North Derbyshire and scored at Wembley in that year’s National League play-off final. Dobra then helped the club to the 2023/24 National League title before excelling once more in the Football League.

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

P 58     W 19     D 18    L 21

Last five meetings:

Colchester United 1-0 Chesterfield – League Two – Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Chesterfield 1-1 Colchester United – League Two – Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Chesterfield 0-0 Colchester United – League Two – Saturday, December 30, 2017

Colchester United 1-1 Chesterfield – League Two Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Colchester United 1-2 Chesterfield – FA Cup – Saturday, November 5, 2016

Overall, Colchester United have had the upper hand in their meetings against Chesterfield. The last five meetings, however, have seen the sides take part in three draws.