1968–69 Colchester United F.C. season


The 1968–69 season was Colchester United's 27th season in their history and their first season back in the fourth tier of English football, the Fourth Division following relegation the previous season. Alongside competing in the Fourth Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the League Cup.
In a transitional season under new manager Dick Graham, Colchester missed an instant return to the third tier by four points, finishing the season in sixth place. The U's were eliminated at the second round of both FA and League Cups.

Season overview

Colchester appointed former Crystal Palace manager Dick Graham to replace Neil Franklin. Having guided Palace from the Fourth Division to the Second Division, Graham intended to emulate his work at Selhurst Park.
Seven games into the season, with his side earning just one point, Graham cleared out the squad, ousting six players and sold Duncan Forbes and Derek Trevis for a combined fee of £19,000. He brought in a number of players, including goalkeeper Tony Macedo and former Tottenham Hotspur double-winner Terry Dyson. Colchester's form drastically improved, earning 33 points from a possible 42 to propel up the table into fourth position and the promotion places. However, after a poor Easter period, earning just two points against promotion-rivals Bradford City, Halifax Town and Swansea Town saw the U's slip back into sixth place and four points short of promotion.

Players

Transfers

In

Loans out

Match details

Fourth Division

Results round by round

League table

Matches

League Cup

FA Cup

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

!colspan="14"|Players who appeared for Colchester who left during the season

Goalscorers

Disciplinary record

Clean sheets

Number of games goalkeepers kept a clean sheet.

Player debuts

Players making their first-team Colchester United debut in a fully competitive match.
PositionNationalityPlayerDateOpponentGroundNotes
CBBrian Honeywood10 August 1968BrentfordGriffin Park
CBColin Moughton10 August 1968BrentfordGriffin Park
FBOwen Simpson10 August 1968BrentfordGriffin Park
FBGerry Perryman24 August 1968ChesterSealand Road
WGTerry Dyson24 August 1968ChesterSealand Road
FWDanny Light24 August 1968ChesterSealand Road
CBBrian Wood31 August 1968Doncaster RoversLayer Road
GKTony Macedo7 September 1968York CityLayer Road
CBBrian Wood14 September 1968Bradford CityValley Parade
FWBrian Gibbs14 September 1968Bradford CityValley Parade
CBDave Bickles28 September 1968Exeter CitySt James Park
WGMicky Brown26 October 1968Lincoln CitySincil Bank
GKTony Macedo2 November 1968WrexhamLayer Road
FWKen O'Rourke16 November 1968Chesham UnitedLayer Road
GKRon Willis23 November 1958Swansea TownVetch Field
WGBarry Rowan23 November 1958Swansea TownVetch Field

General

Books
Websites

Specific