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5 unusual facts about Colchester United F.C.


Aritz Aduriz

On 4 August 2008 Aduriz became the first player to score at the Colchester Community Stadium, in a friendly match with Colchester United.

Dale Tempest

Born in England but spent much of his youth in Peebles, Scotland, Tempest had played for several English teams including Fulham, Huddersfield Town, Gillingham and Colchester United before arriving in Hong Kong.

Diego León

León put in a great performance to earn himself his first matchball as a Barnsley player, with a Man of the match award against Colchester United on 29 January 2008.

Gus Caesar

He then embarked on a journeyman's career, playing for Cambridge United, Bristol City, Airdrieonians (where he played in the 1992 Scottish Cup Final) and Colchester United.

Tommy English

After being released in 1984, he made a handful of appearances for Rochdale and Plymouth Argyle as a non-contract player, before signing for Colchester United in 1985.


David Raine

He joined Neil Franklin's Colchester United on a free transfer in September 1965, and played 25 league and cup games in the 1965–66 season, as the "U's" won promotion out of the Fourth Division.

Eddie Presland

Eddie Presland (born 27 March 1943) is an English former footballer who played as a defender in England for West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Colchester United, Chelmsford City and Wealdstone and for Jewish Guild in South Africa.

Gerry Harrison

Anglia's staple football programme Match of the Week chronicled a superb spell for Ipswich Town under the guidance of Bobby Robson, as well as the fortunes of Norwich City, Luton Town, Cambridge United, Peterborough United, Colchester United, Southend United and Northampton Town.

John Froggatt

He transferred to Third Division Colchester United in August 1974 for a £6,000 fee, joining former Boston strike partner Bobby Svarc and former Boston manager Jim Smith at Layer Road.

Niall Thompson

He started his professional career as a trainee with Crystal Palace but after an unsuccessful spell moved to play for Colchester United, Montreal Impact, Zultse VV, Seattle Sounders, Brentford, Vancouver 86ers, Airdrieonians, Bay Area Seals, Wycombe Wanderers, Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps.

Ollie Clarke

He eventually made his debut for Bristol Rovers in their final game of the 2010–11 season, when he came on as an 88th-minute substitute for Harry Pell against Colchester United at the Colchester Community Stadium.

Paulo Ferreira

He continued his fine form into the following campaign, during which he scored his first Chelsea goal in the 3–1 victory over Colchester United in the FA Cup fourth round.

Steve Whitton

After being forced to retire with injury he became assistant manager at Colchester United under Steve Wignall and his successor Mick Wadsworth.

The Latymer School

The football first XI has participated in the Gothia Cup, a tournament also involving the youth teams of Major football sides like Wolves, Swindon, Crystal Palace, Colchester, São Paulo, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, F.C. Copenhagen and OGC Nice.

Tim Allpress

Timothy John "Tim" Allpress (born 27 January 1971) is an English former footballer who played as a defender in the Football League for Luton Town, Preston North End and Colchester United, and in the German 2. Bundesliga for Bayer Uerdingen.


see also