1991–92 Colchester United F.C. season

Colchester United
1991–92 season
Chairman James Bowdidge[1][2]
Manager England Roy McDonough
Conference 1st (Promoted)
FA Cup 1st Round
FA Trophy Winners
Conference League Cup 2nd Round
Top goalscorer League:
Roy McDonough (26)

All:
Roy McDonough (29)
Highest home attendance 7,193 (Barrow)
Lowest home attendance 2,139 (Stafford Rangers)
Average home league attendance 3,509
Home colours

The 1991–92 season was Colchester United's second consecutive season in the fifth tier of English football. The season ended in success with Colchester achieving promotion on the final day of the season, resulting in a return to the Football League at their second attempt. They also won the FA Trophy after beating Witton Albion 3-1 at Wembley Stadium.

Season Review

New chairman James Bowdidge appointed Roy McDonough in a playing role. At just 34, McDonough had been Atkins' assistant and vowed to go for goals abandoning Atkins' stoic sweeper system.

McDonough equalled the club record scoring four at Slough on 26 August 1991, but couldn't have planned the astonishing goal that gave U's victory at sole rivals Wycombe. In the dying moments, goalkeeper Scott Barrett's long punt down field skidded up off the greasy surface into the net to give Colchester a priceless 2-1 win, and U's completed the double against Wycombe soon after winning 3-0 at Layer Road.

Colchester Borough Council identified ten sites that might house a new stadium. Each would be investigated. The Football League decreed that all clubs must have at least 10 years lease on their stadium. Fortunately, the Council extended their arrangement.

The U's became the first team in history to be knocked out of the FA Cup without conceding a goal. Twice they drew 0-0 with Exeter only to lose on penalties; the consolation was that they led Wycombe by seven points as 1992 dawned. Sixteen home wins on the bounce failed to shake off their shadows from Buckinghamshire. A dreadful 4-1 defeat at Welling and a lackadaisical 4-4 draw at Macclesfield threatened to derail U's surge back to the League.

United's focus wasn't solely on the Conference they progressed to the Wembley Final of the FA Trophy having knocked out Kingstonian, Merthyr, Morecambe, Telford and Macclesfield on the way.

At just 34, McDonough had delivered his promise. He himself had netted 29 times with Steve McGavin (26) and Gary Bennett (18) part of the 98 goal League haul as Wycombe trailed by eight goals going into the last game. United annihilated Barrow 5-0 with a Mike Masters hat trick to claim the Championship.

A week later 32,254 roared United, in their first-ever Wembley appearance, to a famous non-League double gaining revenge over Witton Albion with Masters, McGavin and Nicky Smith scoring in a 3-1 win. Thousands packed the High Street a few days later as United paraded their trophies to the town. Colchester were back in the Football League.[3]

Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
–– England GK Scott Barrett
–– England DF Warren Donald
–– England DF Shaun Elliott
–– England DF Tony English
–– England DF Martin Grainger
–– England DF Andy Partner
–– Scotland DF Ian Phillips
–– England DF Paul Roberts
–– Republic of Ireland MF Eamonn Collins
–– England MF Jason Cook
No. Position Player
–– Republic of Ireland MF Mark Kinsella
–– England MF Nicky Smith
–– Northern Ireland MF Ian Stewart
–– England FW Paul Abrahams
–– England FW Gary Bennett
–– England FW Julian Hazel
–– United States FW Mike Masters
–– England FW Roy McDonough
–– England FW Steve McGavin

Player Info

Pos. Name Place of Birth Date of Birth Previous Club Date Joined Fee
GK England Scott Barrett England Ilkeston 2 April 1963 England Stoke City 18 August 1990 Free
DF England Warren Donald England Uxbridge 7 October 1964 England Northampton Town 27 August 1990 Free
DF England Shaun Elliott England Haltwhistle 26 January 1957 England Blackpool 15 December 1990 £7,000
DF England Tony English England Luton 19 October 1966 England Coventry City 1 January 1985 Free
DF England Martin Grainger England Enfield 23 August 1972 England Youth Team 1 August 1989 Free
DF England Andy Partner England Colchester 21 October 1974 England Youth Team 1 August 1991 Free
DF Scotland Ian Phillips Scotland Cumnock 23 April 1959 England Kettering Town 26 August 1991 Free
DF England Paul Roberts England West Ham 21 October 1974 England Fisher Athletic 28 September 1991 Free
MF Republic of Ireland Eamonn Collins Republic of Ireland Inchicore 22 October 1965 England Portsmouth 19 August 1989 Free
MF England Jason Cook England Edmonton 29 December 1969 England Southend United 28 September 1991 Free
MF Republic of Ireland Mark Kinsella Republic of Ireland Dublin 12 August 1972 Republic of Ireland Home Farm 26 August 1989 Free
MF England Nicky Smith England Berkeley 28 January 1969 England Southend United 18 August 1990 Free
MF Northern Ireland Ian Stewart Northern Ireland Belfast 10 September 1961 England Aldershot 11 February 1992 Free
FW England Paul Abrahams England Colchester 31 October 1973 England Youth Team 1 August 1991 Free
FW England Gary Bennett England Enfield 13 November 1970 England Youth Team 1 August 1988 Free
FW England Julian Hazel England Luton 25 September 1973 England Youth Team 1 August 1991 Free
FW United States Mike Masters United States Leesville 26 April 1967 United States San Francisco Bay Blackhawks 18 January 1992 Free
FW England Roy McDonough England Solihull 16 October 1958 England Southend United 13 October 1990 Free
FW England Steve McGavin England North Walsham 24 January 1969 England Sudbury Town 1 April 1991 £3,000

Transfers

Transfers In

Date Pos. Player Name Previous Club Transfer Fee Notes
1 August 1991 DF England James Goodwin England Youth Team Free
1 August 1991 DF England Andy Partner England Youth Team Free
1 August 1991 FW England Paul Abrahams England Youth Team Free
1 August 1991 FW England Julian Hazel England Youth Team Free
26 August 1991 DF Scotland Ian Phillips England Kettering Town Free
21 September 1991 DF England Simon Gray England Ipswich Town Free
28 September 1991 DF England Paul Roberts England Fisher Athletic Free
28 September 1991 MF England Jason Cook England Southend United Free
8 October 1991 FW England Sean Duffett England Eastern Gas Recreation Free
18 January 1992 FW United States Mike Masters United States San Francisco Bay Blackhawks Free
11 February 1992 MF Northern Ireland Ian Stewart England Aldershot Free

Transfers Out

Date Pos. Player Name New Club Transfer Fee Notes
31 May 1991 DF England Ian Atkins England Birmingham City Free
31 May 1991 DF United States Marcelle Bruce England Baldock Town Free
31 May 1991 DF England Scott Daniels England Exeter City £50,000
31 May 1991 DF England Neale Marmon Germany FC Homburg Free
31 May 1991 DF England Gary Osbourne European Union Released Free
31 May 1991 DF England John Pollard England Fisher Athletic Free
31 May 1991 MF England Garry Brooke England Reading Free
31 May 1991 MF England Mark Radford England Wivenhoe Town Free
31 May 1991 FW England Laurie Ryan England Cambridge City Free
31 May 1991 MF England Les Taylor England Oxford United Free
17 August 1991 FW England Mario Walsh England Redbridge Forest Free
8 October 1991 FW England Sean Duffett England Wivenhoe Town Free
16 December 1991 DF England James Goodwin England Halstead Town Free
16 December 1991 DF England Simon Gray England Wivenhoe Town Free
16 December 1991 MF Republic of Ireland Wayne Hannigan England Chelmsford City Free
14 January 1992 FW England Steve Restarick England Chelmsford City Free

Loans In

Date Pos. Player Name Parent Club Date Returned Notes
24 March 1992 MF England Dave Martin England Southend United 10 May 1992

Results

Conference Results Summary

Pos Club Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1Colchester United (C) 42281049840+5894
2Wycombe Wanderers 4230488435+4994
3Kettering Town 42201397250+2273

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Conference Results

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
17/08/1991 Macclesfield Town H 2-0 2,233 Bennett, McGavin
24/08/1991 Barrow A 1-1 1,480 Kinsella
26/08/1991 Slough Town A 4-2 2,226 McDonough (4)
31/08/1991 Bath City H 5-0 2,416 McGavin (2), Bennett (3)
07/09/1991 Witton Albion A 2-2 1,045 Collins, McDonough
10/09/1991 Farnborough Town H 2-3 2,954 McGavin, Collins
13/09/1991 Yeovil Town H 4-0 2,979 English, Bennett (2), McGavin
21/09/1991 Cheltenham Town A 1-1 1,157 McDonough
28/09/1991 Wycombe Wanderers A 2-1 5,186 Smith, Barrett
05/10/1991 Altrincham H 3-3 2,853 Anderson (o.g.), McGavin, McDonough (pen.)
12/10/1991 Runcorn H 2-1 2,617 Bennett, McDonough (pen.)
18/10/1991 Telford United A 3-0 1,109 McDonough (2) (pen.), Smith
30/10/1991 Yeovil Town A 1-0 2,385 McGavin
02/11/1991 Stafford Rangers H 2-0 2,139 Smith, McDonough
09/11/1991 Farnborough Town A 2-0 3,069 Bennett, Elliott
23/11/1991 Welling United H 3-1 2,933 Bennett, Cook, English
30/11/1991 Northwich Victoria A 1-1 1,042 McDonough
03/12/1991 Stafford Rangers A 3-3 961 Bennett, McGavin
07/12/1991 Wycombe Wanderers H 3-0 5,086 Bennett, McGavin (2)
14/12/1991 Gateshead A 2-0 542 Bennett, McDonough
21/12/1991 Witton Albion H 3-2 2,842 McGavin, Bennett, English
26/12/1991 Redbridge Forest A 1-2 2,327 McDonough
28/12/1991 Runcorn A 3-1 883 Bennett, Cook, McGavin
01/01/1992 Redbridge Forest H 1-0 4,773 McGavin
04/01/1992 Merthyr Tydfil A 0-2 1,032
18/01/1992 Cheltenham Town H 4-0 2,643 McGavin (2), McDonough, Kinsella
24/01/1992 Kettering Town A 2-2 4,100 McGavin, Smith
07/02/1992 Kidderminster Harriers A 2-2 1,828 Bennett, Smith
11/02/1992 Boston United H 1-0 3,229 McGavin
15/02/1992 Welling United A 1-4 1,837 McDonough (pen.)
28/02/1992 Altrincham A 2-1 905 McGavin, McDonough
07/03/1992 Gateshead H 2-0 2,897 Roberts, Masters
21/03/1992 Northwich Victoria H 1-0 3,218 Smith
24/03/1992 Bath City A 0-0 1,101
28/03/1992 Kidderminster Harriers H 3-0 3,073 English, Benton (o.g.), Stewart
14/04/1992 Slough Town H 4-0 3,197 McDonough, Masters, Stewart, Kinsella
18/04/1992 Telford United H 2-0 3,964 McDonough (2)
20/04/1992 Merthyr Tydfil H 2-0 4,148 Smith, Masters
22/04/1992 Boston United A 4-0 2,305 McGavin, McDonough (2) (pen.), Masters
25/04/1992 Macclesfield Town A 4-4 886 Kendall (o.g.), English (2), McDonough
28/04/1992 Kettering Town H 3-1 6,303 McDonough (2), McGavin
02/05/1992 Barrow H 5-0 7,193 Masters (3), Smith, McDonough

Source: 1991-92 Season Colchester United Results - coludata.co.uk

FA Cup

Main article: 1991–92 FA Cup
DateRoundOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
26/10/1991 4QR Burton Albion H 5-0 2,547 McDonough (pen.), McGavin (2) (pen.), Restarick, Kinsella
16/11/1991 R1 Exeter City H 0-0 4,965
27/11/1991 R1 (R) Exeter City A 0-0
2-4 on Pens
4,066

Source: 1991-92 Season Colchester United Results - coludata.co.uk

FA Trophy

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
11/01/1992 R1 Kingstonian H 2-2 2,724 Restarick, English
14/01/1992 R1 (R) Kingstonian A 3-2 1,642 Smith, Bennett, McGavin
02/02/1992 R2 Merthyr Tydfil A 0-0 1,211
04/02/1992 R2 (R) Merthyr Tydfil H 1-0 2,746 McDonough
22/02/1992 R3 Morecambe H 3-1 3,206 Stewart, Collins, McGavin
09/03/1992 QF Telford United H 4-0 3,894 McGavin, Kinsella, Bennett, Smith
04/04/1992 SF (L1) Macclesfield Town H 3-0 5,443 Stewart, English, McDonough (pen.)
10/04/1992 SF (L2) Macclesfield Town A 1-1 1,650 Cook
10/05/1992 Final Witton Albion N 3-1 27,806 Masters, Smith, McGavin

Source: 1991-92 Season Colchester United Results - coludata.co.uk

Conference League Cup

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
08/10/1991 R1 Kettering Town H 4-0 1,289 McGavin, Collins, Kinsella (2)
16/12/1991 R2 Wycombe Wanderers H 2-6 919 Restarick, McGavin

Source: 1991-92 Season Colchester United Results - coludata.co.uk

Squad statistics

[4]

No. Nat. Pos. Name Total Conference FA Cup FA Trophy Conference LC
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
–– GK England Scott Barrett 56 1 42 1 3 0 9 0 2 0
–– DF England Warren Donald 53 0 41 0 3 0 8 0 1 0
–– DF England Shaun Elliott 44 1 37 1 2 0 5 0 0 0
–– DF England Tony English 52 8 38 6 3 0 9 2 2 0
–– DF England James Goodwin 5 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
–– DF England Martin Grainger 17 0 11 0 2 0 2 0 2 0
–– DF England Simon Gray 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
–– DF England Andy Partner 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
–– DF Scotland Ian Phillips 4 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
–– DF England Paul Roberts 45 1 34 1 0 0 9 0 2 0
–– MF Republic of Ireland Eamonn Collins 41 4 32 2 3 0 5 1 1 1
–– MF England Jason Cook 44 3 31 2 2 0 9 1 2 0
–– MF Republic of Ireland Wayne Hannigan 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
–– MF Republic of Ireland Mark Kinsella 55 7 42 3 3 1 9 1 1 2
–– MF England Dave Martin 12 0 9 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
–– MF England Nicky Smith 55 11 42 8 3 0 9 3 1 0
–– MF Northern Ireland Ian Stewart 14 4 10 2 0 0 4 2 0 0
–– FW England Paul Abrahams 6 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
–– FW England Gary Bennett 51 18 39 16 3 0 8 2 1 0
–– FW England Sean Duffett 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
–– FW England Julian Hazel 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
–– FW United States Mike Masters 19 8 15 7 0 0 4 1 0 0
–– FW England Roy McDonough 51 29 40 26 3 1 7 2 1 0
–– FW England Steve McGavin 53 28 39 20 3 2 9 4 2 2
–– FW England Steve Restarick 12 3 7 0 2 1 2 1 1 1
–– FW England Mario Walsh 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Scorers

Most Frequent Starting XI

This section shows players in a 4-3-3 formation with the most league starts during the season.

References

  1. Whitehead, Jeff; Drury, Kevin (2008). The Who's Who of Colchester United: The Layer Road Years. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 279. ISBN 978-1-85983-629-3.
  2. "Our People". The Property Merchant Group. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  3. "The U's History: The 90s". Colchester United F.C. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  4. "1991–92 Season Appearance Data". coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  5. "1991–92 Season Goalscorers Data". coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
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