Up the Us

Dean Breaks U’s Transfer Record

Colchester United have announced their first, and possibly only, signing of the January window, and it’s a big one.

Striker Max Dean (19) has been signed from MK Dons for a fee rumoured to be around £600,000, plus defensive midfielder Gene Kennedy (21).  The transfer fee paid breaks Colchester’s previous purchase record, when they signed striker Steven Gillespie from Cheltenham Town in the summer of 2008, paying £400,000 at the time.  He is some way from being Colchester’s record transfer deal, when they sold Greg Halford to then-Premier League club Reading for £2.5 million in January 2007.

“Max is a really good young prospect and we are looking forward to seeing what he can do for us,” said Manager Danny Cowley.  “He’ll also push Samson (Tovide) and Conor (Wilkinson) on to greater things, I think, so it's going to be like signing three strikers.”

When asked about his record price tag, Dean seemed remarkably relaxed.  “I didn’t know that, but it’s not my thing to get excited, or fazed, by such things.  In any case, I guess inflation means that I’m probably not as expensive as Steven was.  I’m just here to play, score and help this club have success.”

Kennedy was finding it difficult to get into the first team on a regular basis.  “It’s a good move for Gene.  He had too much competition here from Marcel Ruiz and Eddy Addo, and so he’ll get more playing time at Dons, I’m sure,” said Cowley.

“We aren’t likely to do much more business in this window.  We have a squad capable of meeting the challenges ahead and I want to reserve our money for next summer.” Cowley added.

U’s in 5th Round of the FA Cup

For the first time since 2003-4, the U’s have reached the 5th round of the FA Cup – one step away from the quarter-finals, which they only ever achieved once in the same year that they beat the all-conquering Leeds United (1970-71).

A totally unexpected victory against a struggling Premier League Nottingham Forest included a memorable second hat-trick this month from Samson Tovide.  The U’s were 3-0 up at half-time from two of Tovide’s goals which bracketed a strike from Olav Petersen, then Tovide made it 4-0 almost from the kick-off for the second half.  A 74th minute strike from Giovanni Reyna threatened a comeback, but it didn’t materialise, as the U’s celebrated their best run in the cup for 20 years.

Tovide scores his Third

“We had no answer”, said Forest’s manager Steve Cooper.  “I put out a decent side which should have won, but these guys are high-energy and relentless.  Fair play to them.”

In the other two matches, the U’s plotted a route through to the BSM Trophy semi-finals with a win over Swindon, only 3 days after drawing with them, and a crushing victory at the Racecourse Ground, against arch-rivals Wrexham.  Max Dean scored his first and second goals for the club, as the U’s ran riot.

“We’ve had a good series of cup runs this season,” said manager Danny Cowley.  “Hopefully, the extra games won’t tell on us later, but the whole club and city are enjoying the excitement.

The U’s have an East Anglian derby against Norwich in the 5th Round of the FA Cup.  Should be a fascinating match-up.

4:1 win over a Premier League side, nice one - that's one of those magic things in Cup football, well: at least in England and Germany, all other national cup tournaments often seem a formality for the big guns.

What a historic achievement for the U's in the FA Cup! Reaching the 5th round for the first time since 2003-04 is no small feat, especially with a stunning victory over Premier League side Nottingham Forest. Here's to celebrating the U's remarkable cup run and the hope for even greater success in the quarter-finals!

Funny coincidence to see both 4-1 away wins (Stockport County and Nottingham Forest) coming to life with a Tovide hattrick. A man for the big occasion! Impressively followed by a 5-0 win at Wrexham... Hmm... Three big away wins there. Are you better away from home?

Thrilling Draw Against Newport

The U’s home match against Newport County saw an eight-goal thriller, as the two sides traded blows, including another Samson Tovide hat-trick.  Newport took the lead through Charsley on 23 minutes, only to go into the break 2-1 down after Tovide struck twice.  Charsley pulled them level again before Tovide completed his hat-trick, and then Olav Petersen seemed to make the points safe at 4-2, but a late comeback by County saw the match finish level.

“It’s unusual for us to do that,” said manager Danny Cowley.  “We’ll have to worn on concentration this week.”

Apart from that, two fairly routine league wins, against Harrogate Town and Mansfield Town, saw the U’s keep pace with Wrexham at the top.

Ezra Fox Promoted

Striker Ezra Fox (17) has been promoted to the first team squad.

The young Englishman is the latest of the academy conveyor belt to make it into the first team.

“Ezra is a real prospect and, despite what I previously said about holding academy players back until the end of the season, he needed to come into the fold now.  We think he’ll get a few goals in the remainder of the season, and that’s a real plus.”

“I am excited to make the step up,” said the youngster.  “I want to help the team do well and hopefully get promotion this year.”

There are a number of other players who could well make the transition, making for an exciting 2024-25 season, if their performances in the academy leagues is anything to go by, finally realising the dreams of the owner, who has made it his mission to develop the U’s own talent for several years now.

Cup Exit and Cup Progress

The U’s finally left the FA Cup in the 5th round, falling to a 2-1 defeat at home to Championship Norwich City after extra time.  Olav Petersen actually put the U’s in front, before the Canaries equalised before half time.  No further goals in the second half meant extra time, and the U’s simply ran out of steam.  Armstrong settled it for Norwich in the 104th minute.

Prior to that, the U’s reached the final of the BSM Trophy with a good 3-1 victory at League 1 Reading; the first time they have reached a final for one of the ‘league’ cups.  Their only previous cup final was the FA Trophy, the non-league equivalent of the FA Cup, which they won at the time.  Bradley Ihionvien scored the goal of the game, shooting from just inside the U’s half in the 93rd minute, as Reading’s goalie had come up from a corner which was cleared to the striker.

In between, the U’s beat Grimsby Town 4-3 to keep the pressure on Wrexham at the top of the table.  The U’s are 2 points behind with 2 games in hand – a consequence of their progress in every cup competition this season.

Samson Tovide continues to lead the League 2 scoring chart, 5 clear of Crawley’s Orsi, as we head towards the end of the season.  It’s been a fine year for the young striker.

League Progress

The U’s took 7 points from the next three games, with away wins over Gillingham and Crewe and a home draw against Notts County.

Satoshi Takahashi opened the scoring against the Gills to maintain his fine scoring form.  Danny Cowley has started playing him on the left, from where he can cut in more, and the youngster seems to have got the message. 

Takahashi scores against the Gills

Max Dean added to his tally to complete the scoring at the Priestfield Stadium, making it 6 goals in all competitions since the striker arrived in January.

The match against Notts County was harder, with possession 50/50 and the oldest professional club in the world never giving up.  Samson Tovide thought he’d won it in the 80th minute, but Robertson scored in the last minute to send County home with a point.

Ruiz celebrates his goal

Crewe outplayed the U’s at the Mornflake Stadium, but an early goal from Bradley Ihionvien ensured that the U’s went home with all three points to keep pressure on Wrexham at the top of the table.

Cup History for U’s and Promotion Secured

It may only be the BSM Trophy, but Colchester United created history by winning their first ever league-based knockout trophy, when they beat Bolton Wanderers 4-1 at Wembley.  Their only other trophy was the non-league FA Trophy, won in 1992 when they also secured promotion back to the football league as Champions of what was then the Football Conference.

At Wembley, the U’s scored first via Samson Tovide, before the higher-division Bolton equalised on half time.  The early stages of the second half were a massive fight between the two teams, before Marcel Ruiz put the U’s ahead on 70 minutes, after which Colchester ran away with it.

“What a fabulous day for the players, club and fans.” Said manager Danny Cowley.  “We’ve worked hard to make this happen and it’s a bit of real history for the club – something we’ll remember always.”

Colchester also secured promotion to League 1, as did “Hollywood Wrexham”, with the latter securing back-to-back promotions.  Tranmere Rovers currently occupy 4th place and cannot get to the U’s total even if they win all their matches and the U’s lose all theirs.  Colchester stay in second place, only 1 point behind Wrexham with two matches in hand.  The title is certainly a strong possibility as we move into April.

Congratulations with the trophy. 4-1 at Wembley, that's quite a margin against a side from a superior league. Certainly looks like you're ready for a move up. You can even advance as league winners, if you win the games you have in hand. Good luck in the last few months of the season.

Academy Players Shine in the FA Youth Cup

Colchester United’s young players took the club the furthest they have ever been in the FA Youth Cup, when they lost 4-2 to Chelsea under-18s in the Quarter Final.  The U’s had never been that far in the competition before, their previous best finish being in the round before the quarter finals in 2018 and 2005.  The achievement underlines the progress being made in the youth development at the club, with a number of fine performances by players expected to move up into the first-team squad this summer. 

The U’s goals were scored by Xisco Aguilar (left) and Fabian Louis, both 16 and strikers and both of whom are stand-out prospects for promotion.  Other notable performances came from midfielder Felipe Gonzalez (16) on the left, and attacking midfielder Ryan Norton (17) and, whilst the defence shipped 4 goals, it is clear that manager Danny Cowley could easily be promoting goalkeeper Arthur Gardiner (17; soon to be 18) and a couple of defenders.

Given that the U’s will be moving up a level next season and therefore the matches will be that much harder, it will be interesting to see how and when the manager brings the players in but, as Sir Matt Busby once said “If they’re good enough, they’re old enough.”

“We have really moved our academy up a level this season,” said Cowley.  “Some of these players have been picked up from bigger clubs who have decided to move them on, but we feel they have a real chance at our level, and they have the character and ability to prove their previous clubs wrong.”

Season 2024-25 could well prove to be an exciting one for Col U fans.

Nice batch of youngsters coming in, I see: nice.

Although the FA Youth Cup isn't actually in the game, is it?

Title Within Reach

Col U went to the top of the table in April, with 4 wins and one defeat from their 5 matches.

The month started with defeat at home to Accrington, the Stanley dominating the game with 59% possession.  The U’s obviously had a hangover from the celebrations at winning the BSM Trophy.

Normal service was resumed after that, with a run of 4 wins, including a 5-0 hammering of Salford City that saw Satoshi Takahashi score a hat-trick from his new position on the left.  All three goals were cut-ins from that side, in a man-of-the- match performance from the academy graduate.

A Wrexham stumble sees the U’s lead the table on goal difference, still having two matches in hand and it seems that the title is now theirs.

Samson Tovide is also almost certain to win the scoring title for the division, leading the way on 29 goals, some 8 ahead of ex-U’s striker Luke Norris, on 21.  He is also head and shoulders above the remainder of the team, with 41 goals in all competitions.

A good position to stand there with three games left, and your rivals only have one. I'm in a similar position in mine, always two games behind, gives a team an advantage, doesn't it? Like Man City IRL, always with that game in hand... Awful performance vs Stanley, good cover-up with the hangover, but that was awful compared to your form in any other game. Tovide especially, what a season from him. Now it's just about getting the rest of the games out of the way, before you can focus on preparations for the upcoming season. Interesting how you're going to approach that.

Goodbye League 2

Colchester United waved goodbye to League Two with three consecutive victories in May, all of which saw them score four goals.  Star of the month was Bradley Ihionvien, who reminded manager Danny Cowley of his emerging quality with a hat-trick at Barrow on the last day of the season.

Colchester finished 6 points clear of Wrexham in second, and a whopping 39 points clear of fourth-placed Tranmere Rovers.  Eventual play-off winners Bradford City finished 7th, 42 points behind the champions.

The fans can now look forward to a League One campaign next season, but Manager Danny Cowley isn’t planning on an extended celebration personally.  “We have a lot to do this summer.  We have a squad to adjust, contracts to deal with, a transfer window to negotiate and we need to develop our playing style to meet the different demands of League One.

“The work starts now; we have no time to lose.”

It’s going to be interesting to see what happens in the close season and what kind of squad emerges from the merry-go-round of the next three months.

Clearout at Col U

With the start of the close season, Colchester United have announced the fate of a number of players in the squad.  A remarkable 10 players have been put up for sale.

Although those players whose contracts were coming up this summer have already been sold, there are a number who are entering into their last season this August.  Almost all of them will not be offered an extension, and therefore the following players are ‘on the market’:

• Goalkeeper Tom Smith (21)
• Right back Mandela Egbo (27)
• Striker Conor Wilkinson (30)
• Midfielder Matt Jay (29)
• Midfielder Jay Mingi (24)
• Midfielder Marley Marshall-Miranda (21)
• Right back Will Greenidge (22)
• Midfielder Arthur Read (25)
• Centre-back Connor Hall (31)
• Ellis Iandolo (27)

The biggest surprises are midfielder Arthur Read and second-top scorer Conor Wilkinson, as both are considered very experienced and amongst the top performers at the club, but this manager is known for his ruthless pursuit of his strategy at other clubs.

At a recent press conference, Manager Danny Cowley explained his strategy.  “The demands of League one are different from where we’ve been.  The play is quicker and there are some real quality teams in there which means we are not likely to have as much possession.  A significant number of teams in League One have enjoyed premier league football and are considerably bigger than us.

“We need different players for where this club is heading.  All of the players on the list are unlikely to get as much playing time as they would like next season and it’s only fair to give them the opportunity to go to another club, where they would play more.

“They have been good for us last seasn, they experienced a promotion and I hope they enjoyed that.”

To the question of where the replacements are coming from, he was less forthcoming at this point.  All he would say is that the club does not have much money to spend, but will probably use the money from sales to buy ‘one or two’.  Does this mean a much slimmed-down squad, or will we see more unattached players coming in?

Good end to the season, good to see Ihonvien impressing late, perhaps keeping a good role for the upcoming season.

Interesting possible clearout. I must say I'm surprised about the decision regarding Read. I was certain that he and Chilvers would be players, you'd want to build your team around. Looking forward to see the comings and goings of the summer.

Contracts Extended

Colchester United have announced that a number of players have had their contracts extended, securing their medium-term future at the club.

Attacking midfielder Noah Chilvers (24) will now be at the club until 2028, as will attacking midfielder Olav Petersen (24).  Petersen joined the club last summer as an unattached player and has been a success.  Chilvers is an academy product and is considered more than capable at performing in League One.

Left–midfielder Owura Edwards (24) has extended his contract to summer 2027.  The former Bristol City player faces stiff competition from Satoshi Takahashi, who has been used on the left with great success during the closing months of the season.

Right-midfielder Jayden Fevrier (22) has also extended to summer 2028.  Fevrier was an automatic starter in ‘the first team’ last season.

It comes as no surprise that striker Samson Tovide (21) has signed a new contract.  His new contract runs until summer 2029 as the club sought to secure their star 40-goal striker to the  longest contract of them all.

Samson Tovide

Bradley Ihionvien’s late-season scoring exploits have secured him a contract extension to summer 2028.  The 21-year-old academy product has had a good season and can expect to play a bigger role in League One.

Bradley Ihionvien

“We are pleased to have secured the future of these players with the club.” Said manager Danny Cowley.  It’s unusual for a League One (as we are now) side to sign players to such long contracts and this is a sign of the ambition of the owner to develop Colchester United into a higher-level club, with a secure squad.  We know these players are going to be big for us, next season.”

Mega Academy Promotion Spree

1 July 2024

Colchester United have announced a string of promotions from the academy, into the first-team squad, in a remarkable vote of confidence in the academy system that manager Danny Cowley has been turbocharging over the last season.  The club has promoted the following EIGHT players:

• Goalkeeper Arthur Gardiner (18)
• Centre-back Manuel Alvarez (18)
• Right-back Andres Nunez (17)
• Defensive midfielder Alexander Schmitt (16)
• Left-midfielder Felipe Gonzalez (16)
• Attacking midfielder Ryan Norton (17)
• Striker Fabian Louis (16)
• Striker Xisco Aguilar (16)

This “class of ‘24” arrives with a huge degree of potential, with Aguilar considered the highest potential of them all.

“It’s been an amazing year for the under-18’s,” said Cowley.  “They are all promoted to the first team on merit and I expect that they will push the established players very hard.  You don’t get as far as they did in the Youth Cup, and push Chelsea so hard in the round they lost, and not have a chance at becoming a first-team star.”

Given the proposed sales, and the players who have already left, it seems that the graduates with the best chance of making the switch to regular first team football are defenders Alvarez and Nunez, although Fabian Louis and Xisco Aguilar certainly know their way to goal and can expect to at least make the grade as impact substitutes.

It’s certainly going to be an interesting ride, this season.

Aguilar: a massive prospect

"This might not be the end of promotions, either," said Cowley.  "We have a few others who might well be promoted as the season unfolds.  This is the owner's dream, and has been for several years.  I am pleased we can finally make it come true for him."