1981–82 Colchester United F.C. season

The 1981–82 season was Colchester United's 40th season in their history and first season back in fourth tier of English football, the Fourth Division following relegation the previous campaign. Alongside competing in the Fourth Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the League Cup.

Colchester United
1981–82 season
ChairmanMaurice Cadman[1]
ManagerBobby Roberts
(until 3 May)
Ray Bunkell
(from 3 May to 5 May)
Allan Hunter
(from 5 May)
StadiumLayer Road
Fourth Division6th
FA Cup3rd round
(eliminated by
Newcastle United)
League Cup3rd round
(eliminated by
Tranmere Rovers)
Top goalscorerLeague:
Ian Allinson
Kevin Bremner (21)

All:
Ian Allinson (26)
Highest home attendance7,505
v Newcastle United, 18 January 1982[2]
Lowest home attendance1,470
v Port Vale, 3 May 1982[3]
Average home league attendance3,161[4]
Biggest win4–0
v Tranmere Rovers, 4 September 1981
v York City, 16 October 1981
v Hereford United, 20 October 1981
5–1
v Northampton Town, 2 October 1981
Biggest defeat0–3
v York City, 5 March 1982

Colchester mounted a serious promotion challenge for much of the season, but a downturn in form in the second half of the season led to Bobby Roberts losing his job as manager, with Allan Hunter recruited to replace him in May when the U's promotion hopes were over for the season. They exited both cups in the third round, although they took Second Division Newcastle United to a thrilling extra time finale at Layer Road where the hosts were eventually defeated 4–3.

Season overview

After the board had decided to keep the faith in Bobby Roberts for the new season despite relegation, the introduction of the three-points for a win format for this year helped Colchester hit the top of the league by November 1981, scoring an impressive 41 goals. The U's also reached the third round of the FA Cup, taking Newcastle United to a replay before losing 4–3 following extra time at Layer Road.

A £25,000 outlay brought forward John Lyons to Layer Road who promptly scored on his debut as Colchester thrashed promotion rivals Sheffield United 5–2 in front of the Match of the Day cameras. However, a host of injuries and suspensions in the latter stages of the season saw Colchester drop down the table, and as such the board requested Roberts resign in April. He refused to do so and was sacked a month later. Former player Ray Bunkell filled the brief void before Allan Hunter was brought in as his replacement, tasked with his first managerial role.

Colchester had gone from promotion favourites to sixth, 16 points off the promotion places, despite a prolific strike force in Ian Allinson, who scored 26 goals, and Kevin Bremner, who scored 24 goals.[5]

Players

As of match played 15 May 1982.[6]
NamePositionNationalityPlace of birthDate of birthAppsGoalsSigned fromDate signedFee
Goalkeepers
Ian CranstoneGK Rochford00 Tottenham HotspurSummer 1977Free transfer
Bobby HamiltonGK00UnknownSummer 1977
Mike WalkerGK Colwyn Bay (1945-11-28)28 November 1945 (aged 35)4180 WatfordJuly 1973£4,000
Jeff WoodGK Islington (1954-02-04)4 February 1954 (aged 27)00 Charlton AthleticSummer 1981Undisclosed
Defenders
Phil ColemanFB Woolwich (1960-09-08)8 September 1960 (aged 20)40 MillwallFebruary 1981£15,000
Micky CookFB Enfield (1951-04-09)9 April 1951 (aged 30)55115 Orient1 March 1969Free transfer
Allan HunterCB Sion Mills (1946-06-30)30 June 1946 (aged 34)00 Ipswich TownMay 1982Player-manager
Mick PackerFB Willesden (1950-04-20)20 April 1950 (aged 31)36621 WatfordJuly 1973Free transfer
Wayne WardFB Colchester (1964-04-28)28 April 1964 (aged 17)00ApprenticeApril 1982Free transfer
Steve WignallCB Liverpool (1954-09-17)17 September 1954 (aged 26)18311 Doncaster RoversSeptember 1977£5,000
Midfielders
Andy GoodingMF00ApprenticeSummer 1981Free transfer
Steve LeslieMF Hornsey (1952-09-04)4 September 1952 (aged 28)39141Apprentice20 April 1971[a]Free transfer
Dennis LonghornMF Hythe (1950-09-12)12 September 1950 (aged 30)260 AldershotMay 1980Free transfer
Roger OsborneMF Otley (1950-03-09)9 March 1950 (aged 31)120 Ipswich TownFebruary 1981£25,000
Forwards
Tony AdcockFW Bethnal Green (1963-03-27)27 March 1963 (aged 18)10Apprentice31 March 1981Free transfer
Ian AllinsonWG Hitchin (1957-10-01)1 October 1957 (aged 23)25730ApprenticeSummer 1974Free transfer
Kevin BremnerFW Banff (1957-10-07)7 October 1957 (aged 23)3810 KeithOctober 1980£25,000
Perry GrovesWG Bow (1965-04-19)19 April 1965 (aged 16)00 Cornard DynamosSummer 1981Free transfer
John LyonsFW Buckley (1956-11-08)8 November 1956 (aged 24)00 Cambridge UnitedFebruary 1982£25,000
Roy McDonoughFW Solihull (1958-10-16)16 October 1958 (aged 22)122 ChelseaFebruary 1981£15,000
John TaylorFW Norwich (1964-10-24)24 October 1964 (aged 16)00ApprenticeSummer 1981Free transfer

Transfers

In

DatePositionNationalityNameFromFeeRef.
Summer 1981GK Jeff Wood Charlton AthleticUndisclosed[7]
Summer 1981MFAndy GoodingApprenticeFree transfer[8]
Summer 1981WG Perry Groves Cornard DynamosFree transfer[9]
Summer 1981FW John TaylorApprenticeFree transfer[10]
February 1982FW John Lyons Cambridge United£25,000[11]
April 1982FB Wayne WardApprenticeFree transfer[12]
May 1982CB Allan Hunter Ipswich TownPlayer-manager[13]
  • Total spending: ~ £25,000

Out

DatePositionNationalityNameToFeeRef.
End of seasonFB Nigel Crouch Harwich & ParkestonReleased[14]
End of seasonFB Leo Cusenza Harlow TownReleased[15]
End of seasonMF Tony Evans Tiptree UnitedReleased[16]
End of seasonWG Bobby Hodge Torquay UnitedReleased[17]
End of seasonFW Gary Harvey Harwich & ParkestonReleased[18]
12 September 1981MF Steve Foley Wivenhoe TownReleased[19][a]
23 January 1982MF Eddie RowlesFree agentRetired[20][a]
30 March 1982MF Russell CottonFree agentReleased[21][a]
7 May 1982CB Steve Wright HJK HelsinkiUndisclosed[22][a]
  • Total incoming: ~ £0

Match details

Fourth Division

Results round by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAHHAAHAHHAHAAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAAHHAHAAHHAHHA
ResultWWLWDLLWWWWWLWWWWWDDDLWDWLWLLDDLLDWDLLDDWDLWLW
Position2161378674534242111223354657776776666666666666
Source: 11v11.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion
4Bournemouth46231946230+3288Promoted
5Peterborough United462410127157+1482
6Colchester United462012148257+2572
7Port Vale461816125649+770
8Hull City461912157061+969
Source: [citation needed]

Matches

29 August 1981 (1981-08-29) 1 Hartlepool United 1–3 Colchester United Hartlepool
Harding 81'ReportBremner 34', 59'
Packer 39' (pen.)
Stadium: Victoria Park
Attendance: 2,007
Referee: N Wilson
4 September 1981 (1981-09-04) 2 Colchester United 4–0 Tranmere Rovers Colchester
Allinson 9', 36' (pen.)
Cook 58'
Bremner 90'
ReportStadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 2,474
Referee: Tony Ward
12 September 1981 (1981-09-12) 3 Sheffield United 1–0 Colchester United Sheffield
Hatton 43'ReportStadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 11,293
Referee: A Robinson
18 September 1981 (1981-09-18) 4 Colchester United 3–0 Torquay United Colchester
Adcock 18', 77'
Cook 51'
ReportStadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 2,820
Referee: K Salmon
22 September 1981 (1981-09-22) 5 Colchester United 1–1 Aldershot Colchester
Coleman 39'ReportCrosby 46'Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 2,719
Referee: B Hill
26 September 1981 (1981-09-26) 6 Bradford City 2–1 Colchester United Bradford
Gallagher 5'
Staniforth 88'
ReportLeslie 63'Stadium: Valley Parade
Attendance: 4,772
Referee: M Heath
28 September 1981 (1981-09-28) 7 Port Vale 2–1 Colchester United Burslem
Sproson 80'
Moss 88'
ReportMcDonough 52'Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 3,351
2 October 1981 (1981-10-02) 8 Colchester United 5–1 Northampton Town Colchester
Coleman 5'
Allinson 7' (pen.)
Bremner 72', 86'
McDonough 83'
ReportDenyer 50' (pen.)Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 2,760
Referee: D Reeves
11 October 1981 (1981-10-11) 9 Rochdale 1–2 Colchester United Rochdale
Wellings 51'ReportAllinson 66'
McDonough 84'
Stadium: Spotland Stadium
Attendance: 1,366
16 October 1981 (1981-10-16) 10 Colchester United 4–0 York City Colchester
McDonough 8'
Bremner 38'
Leslie 70'
Allinson 76'
Wright  39'
ReportWalwyn  39'Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 3,139
Referee: Alan Gunn
20 October 1981 (1981-10-20) 11 Colchester United 4–0 Hereford United Colchester
19:30 BSTAllinson 20'
Bremner 40'
Osborne 56', 61'
ReportStadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 3,064
Referee: J Deakin
24 October 1981 (1981-10-24) 12 Halifax Town 0–2 Colchester United Halifax
ReportAllinson 2' (pen.)
McDonough 50'
Stadium: The Shay
Attendance: 1,374
Referee: David Webb
30 October 1981 (1981-10-30) 13 Colchester United 1–2 Wigan Athletic Colchester
Coleman 86'ReportMcMahon 11'
Houghton 42'
Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 3,882
Referee: M James
2 November 1981 (1981-11-02) 14 Mansfield Town 1–3 Colchester United Mansfield
Morgan 84'ReportAllinson 42', 57', 81' (pen.)Stadium: Field Mill
Attendance: 2,294
Referee: Joe Worrall
7 November 1981 (1981-11-07) 15 Hull City 2–3 Colchester United Kingston upon Hull
19:30 GMTMutrie 15'
Roberts 48'
ReportBremner 12'
McDonough 61', 77'
Stadium: Boothferry Park
Attendance: 3,040
Referee: T Fitzharris
13 November 1981 (1981-11-13) 16 Colchester United 2–1 Scunthorpe United Colchester
Allinson 38'
Cook 65'
ReportStewart 36'Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 3,838
Referee: D Letts
28 November 1981 (1981-11-28) 17 Darlington 1–2 Colchester United Darlington
15:00 GMTSpeedie 25'ReportBremner 5'
Osborne 53'
Stadium: Feethams
Attendance: 1,456
Referee: T Mills
4 December 1981 (1981-12-04) 18 Colchester United 2–1 Blackpool Colchester
Allinson 14'
Noble 84' (o.g.)
ReportBamber 31'Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 3,875
Referee: A Robinson
26 December 1981 (1981-12-26) 19 Bournemouth 1–1 Colchester United Bournemouth
Goddard 20'ReportMcDonough 78'Stadium: Dean Court
Attendance: 8,829
Referee: S Bates
16 January 1982 (1982-01-16) 20 Colchester United 1–1 Bury Colchester
Adcock 14'ReportHilton 18'Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 3,504
Referee: Tom Bune
23 January 1982 (1982-01-23) 21 Colchester United 3–3 Hartlepool United Colchester
15:00 GMTMcDonough 10'
Bird 58' (o.g.)
Allinson 64' (pen.)
ReportHouchen 14', 16' (pen.)
Bird 38'
Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 2,862
Referee: Martin Bodenham
30 January 1982 (1982-01-30) 22 Torquay United 1–0 Colchester United Torquay
19:30 GMTUnknown goalscorer ReportStadium: Plainmoor
Attendance: 2,037
Referee: B Stevens
6 February 1982 (1982-02-06) 23 Colchester United 5–2 Sheffield United Colchester
15:00 GMTLyons 4'
McDonough 8'
Allinson 9', 36'
Bremner 59'
ReportKenworthy 38' (pen.)
Edwards 62'
Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 5,194
Referee: C White
9 February 1982 (1982-02-09) 24 Aldershot 1–1 Colchester United Aldershot
19:45 GMTJopling 33'ReportLyons 44'Stadium: Recreation Ground
Attendance: 2,324
Referee: Howard King
14 February 1982 (1982-02-14) 25 Northampton Town 1–2 Colchester United Northampton
15:00 GMTCoffill 56'ReportAllinson 19'
Bremner 75'
Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 3,102
Referee: P Richardson
19 February 1982 (1982-02-19) 26 Colchester United 1–2 Bradford City Colchester
Cook 73'ReportJackson 41'
McNiven 58'
Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 3,975
Referee: Tony Ward
26 February 1982 (1982-02-26) 27 Colchester United 3–2 Rochdale Colchester
Bremner 29'
Adcock 38', 88'
ReportO'Loughlin 28'
Hilditch 75'
Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 2,760
Referee: M Dimblebee
2 March 1982 (1982-03-02) 28 Tranmere Rovers 2–1 Colchester United Birkenhead
Craven 12'
Kerr 34'
ReportBremner 75'Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 1,252
Referee: Peter Willis
5 March 1982 (1982-03-05) 29 York City 3–0 Colchester United York
Hood 35' (pen.)
Walwyn 77', 90'
ReportStadium: Bootham Crescent
Attendance: 1,854
Referee: R Chadwick
10 March 1982 (1982-03-10) 30 Hereford United 2–2 Colchester United Hereford
Phillips 23', 82'ReportAllinson 48' (pen.)
Osborne 54'
Stadium: Edgar Street
Attendance: 2,060
Referee: A Hamil
12 March 1982 (1982-03-12) 31 Colchester United 1–1 Halifax Town Colchester
Bremner 8'ReportAyre 28'Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 2,464
Referee: D Reeves
16 March 1982 (1982-03-16) 32 Colchester United 0–1 Mansfield Town Colchester
ReportLumby 81'Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Alf Grey
20 March 1982 (1982-03-20) 33 Wigan Athletic 3–2 Colchester United Wigan
15:00 GMTBarrow 1', 60'
Bradd 27'
ReportBremner 62'
Osborne 88'
Stadium: Springfield Park
Attendance: 6,747
Referee: J Hough
22 March 1982 (1982-03-22) 34 Stockport County 0–0 Colchester United Stockport
ReportStadium: Edgeley Park
Attendance: 1,740
Referee: G Flint
26 March 1982 (1982-03-26) 35 Colchester United 2–0 Hull City Colchester
Bremner 54'
Coleman 78'
ReportStadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 2,195
Referee: Colin Downey
30 March 1982 (1982-03-30) 36 Colchester United 1–1 Crewe Alexandra Colchester
Allinson 35'ReportPalios 41'Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 1,904
Referee: K Baker
2 April 1982 (1982-04-02) 37 Scunthorpe United 2–1 Colchester United Scunthorpe
19:15 BSTMoss 19'
Telfer 60'
ReportBremner 65'Stadium: Old Showground
Attendance: 1,762
Referee: David Allison
10 April 1982 (1982-04-10) 38 Colchester United 1–2 Bournemouth Colchester
Allinson 76'ReportFunnell 30'
Crawford 34'
Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 2,662
Referee: Ian Borrett
13 April 1982 (1982-04-13) 39 Peterborough United 2–2 Colchester United Peterborough
19:30 BSTSmith 56'
Kellock 60'
ReportAllinson 58'
McDonough 79'
Stadium: London Road Stadium
Attendance: 5,402
Referee: A Challinor
17 April 1982 (1982-04-17) 40 Blackpool 0–0 Colchester United Blackpool
15:00 BSTReportStadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 2,298
Referee: K Redfearn
24 April 1982 (1982-04-24) 41 Colchester United 1–0 Darlington Colchester
Bremner 77'ReportStadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 1,764
Referee: Rob Lewis
27 April 1982 (1982-04-27) 42 Colchester United 1–1 Peterborough United Colchester
Bremner 34'
Wright  52' 
ReportSyrett 76'
Smith  
Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 2,212
Referee: M Taylor
1 May 1982 (1982-05-01) 43 Bury 4–3 Colchester United Bury
15:15 BSTButler 18'
Madden 41', 60'
Hilton 44'
ReportLyons 40'
Bremner 68'
McDonough 86'
Stadium: Gigg Lane
Attendance: 1,720
Referee: C Seel
3 May 1982 (1982-05-03) 44 Colchester United 1–0 Port Vale Colchester
McDonough 6'ReportStadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 1,470
Referee: K Salmon
7 May 1982 (1982-05-07) 45 Colchester United 0–1 Stockport County Colchester
ReportPhillips 83'Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 2,132
Referee: D Letts
15 May 1982 (1982-05-15) 46 Crewe Alexandra 1–3 Colchester United Crewe
15:00 BSTScott 44'
Heath  67'
ReportBremner 1'
Allinson 39'
McDonough 41'
Stadium: Gresty Road
Attendance: 1,226
Referee: Keith Hackett

League Cup

1 September 1981 (1981-09-01) 1st round 1st leg Colchester United 2–0 Gillingham Colchester
Bremner 11'
Allinson 60' (pen.)
ReportStadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 2,431
Referee: J Bray
15 September 1981 (1981-09-15) 1st round 2nd leg Gillingham 1–1 Colchester United Gillingham
Price 53'ReportBremner 52'Stadium: Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 3,260
Referee: Colin Downey
Note: Colchester won 3–1 on aggregate
6 October 1981 (1981-10-06) 2nd round 1st leg Colchester United 3–1 Cambridge United Colchester
Cook 27'
McDonough 82', 88'
ReportGibbins 87'Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 3,844
Referee: J Martin
27 October 1981 (1981-10-27) 2nd round 2nd leg Cambridge United 3–2 (a.e.t.) Colchester United Cambridge
19:45 GMTGibbins 20', 54'
Reilly 65'
Donaldson  34'
ReportAllinson 17'
Bremner 110'
Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 4,762
Referee: Rob Lewis
Note: Colchester won 5–4 on aggregate after extra time
10 November 1981 (1981-11-10) 3rd round Tranmere Rovers 1–0 Colchester United Birkenhead
Hutchinson 1'ReportStadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 2,502
Referee: M Baker

FA Cup

21 November 1981 (1981-11-21) 1st round Colchester United 2–0 Newport County Colchester
15:00 GMTLeslie 50'
Adcock 74'
ReportStadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 3,535
Referee: B Hill
16 December 1981 (1981-12-16) 2nd round Brentford 1–1 Colchester United Brentford
15:00 GMTRoberts 33'ReportAllinson 15'Stadium: Griffin Park
Attendance: 5,550
Referee: David Hutchinson
30 December 1981 (1981-12-30) 2nd round replay Colchester United 1–0 Brentford Colchester
McNichol 37' (o.g.)ReportStadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 5,532
Referee: J Deakin
4 January 1982 (1982-01-04) 3rd round Newcastle United 1–1 Colchester United Newcastle upon Tyne
Varadi 31'ReportWignall 83'Stadium: St James' Park
Attendance: 16,977
18 January 1982 (1982-01-18) 3rd round replay Colchester United 3–4 (a.e.t.) Newcastle United Colchester
19:30 GMTCook 44'
Allinson 67' (pen.), 116' (pen.)
ReportWaddle 12'
Saunders 42'
Brownlie 94'
Varadi 115'
Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 7,505
Referee: T Mills

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

[6][23]

No.PosNatPlayerTotalFourth DivisionFA CupLeague Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
GK  WALMike Walker5604605050
DF  ENGPhil Coleman47434+344+104+10
DF  ENGMicky Cook5664645151
DF  NIRAllan Hunter10100000
DF  ENGMick Packer1511410010
DF  ENGWayne Ward503+200000
DF  ENGSteve Wignall5314305150
MF  ENGSteve Leslie44331+324+1150
MF  ENGDennis Longhorn23014+70001+10
MF  ENGRoger Osborne4853955040
FW  ENGTony Adcock48631+952+114+10
FW  ENGIan Allinson522641+1215352
FW  SCOKevin Bremner562446215053
FW  ENGPerry Groves90900000
FW  WALJohn Lyons18316+230000
FW  ENGRoy McDonough501640145052
Players who appeared for Colchester who left during the season
DF  ENGSteve Wright4803805050
MF  ENGRussell Cotton1109+200000
MF  ENGSteve Foley201+100000
MF  ENGEddie Rowles1204+205010

Goalscorers

[23]

PlaceNationalityPositionNameFourth DivisionFA CupLeague CupTotal
1 WGIan Allinson213226
2 FWKevin Bremner210324
3 FWRoy McDonough140216
4 FWTony Adcock5106
FBMicky Cook4116
6 MFRoger Osborne5005
7 FBPhil Coleman4004
8 MFSteve Leslie2103
FWJohn Lyons3003
10 FBMick Packer1001
CBSteve Wignall0101
Own goals2103
TOTALS828898

Disciplinary record

[24]

NationalityPositionNameFourth DivisionFA CupLeague CupTotal
CBSteve Wright22000022
FWRoy McDonough10000010
TOTALS32000032

Clean sheets

Number of games goalkeepers kept a clean sheet.[25]

PlaceNationalityPlayerFourth DivisionFA CupLeague CupTotal
1 Mike Walker102113
TOTALS102113

Player debuts

Players making their first-team Colchester United debut in a fully competitive match.[26]

PositionNationalityPlayerDateOpponentGroundNotes
FW John Lyons6 February 1982Sheffield UnitedLayer Road
WG Perry Groves10 April 1982BournemouthLayer Road
FB Wayne Ward24 April 1982DarlingtonLayer Road
CB Allan Hunter15 May 1982Crewe AlexandraGresty Road

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