Comment: Heavy reliance on Colchester Gazette and the official website. Try to introduce more secondary sources. Toadette (Happy holiday!) 08:26, 8 December 2023 (UTC)
- Comment: External links should also be removed or converted to inline citations where appropriate. Greenman (talk) 05:14, 4 December 2023 (UTC)
Colchester United Womens Football Club, commonly referred to as The U's unless distinguishing themselves from the men's team, is an English women's association football club based in the city of Colchester, Essex, England formed in July 2023. The club plays in Division Two of the Essex County Women’s Football League, the ninth level of the English womens football league system.
| Full name | Colchester United Women's Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The U's | ||
| Founded | July 2023 | ||
| Ground | Colchester Garrison B Ground | ||
| Head Coach | Simon King | ||
| League | Essex County Women's Football League | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
History
After a ten-year absence of a women's football team at Colchester following the folding of Colchester United L.F.C., Colchester United Football in the Community unveiled plans to reform a women's team in time for the 2023/24 season in June 2023[1][2][3]. Trials were held at Shrub End Sports Ground over three consecutive weeks, with successful players being informed of their position in July 2023. The founding of Colchester United W.F.C was confirmed at CUFC's Annual Open Day held at the Colchester Community Stadium on Sunday 16th July along with the appointment of Luke Worley as head coach.
Pre-season friendlies took place during August 2023.
2023/24 Campaign
The team's first match of the season took place against Chelmsford City Reserves on Sunday 10th September[4], The U's winning 11-0. The U's completed the seasion undefeated in all division matches. [5][6]
Coach Luke Worley stepped down from the role of head coach in December 2023, with Simon King filling the position in February 2024[7]
The team successfully entered Round Three of the BBC Essex County Cup following victories over Frontier Ladies First (3-0) and Toby Ladies First (2-0) but suffered a 8-0 defeat to FA National League side Billericay Town Women Reserves.
The U's are due to face Southminster United Ladies First on 19th May 2024 in the League Cup Final after beating Premier Division team Chelmsford City Women in the semi-final. [8]Should they win, they will earn the accolade of being undefeated in all league matches for the entire season in addition to winning the cup. [9]
Colours and Crest
The team plays in the same kit as worn by the men's team to represent equality and value across both disciplines[1]. For the 2023/24 Season, the home shirt consists of a modern take on the Club's traditional blue and white striped design, while the away shirt is yellow with narrow blue stripes around the collar, sleeves and underarms, inspired by the mens team's historic success in the 2005/6 season[2]. As with the men's team, the home and away kits are sponsored by Workhorse Group for the 2023/24 season.
Stadium
Despite originally planning to host matches at their Shrub End training ground, it was announced on 12th September 2023 that their new home ground would be at Colchester Garrison, with full access to the covered seating area and clubhouse before and after matches.[10]
Players
First-team squad
The squad was unveiled at the end of July 2023 .
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | DF |  ENG | Rosie Mowatt |
| 16 | MF | ENG | Jamie Newstead (Also plays GK) |
| 17 | DF | ENG | Leah Pope |
| 18 | FW | ENG | Ella Cahill |
| 19 | MF | ENG | Caitlin White |
| 20 | DF | ENG | Jodie Morgan |
| 21 | MF | ENG | Lindsey Morgan |
| 22 | MF | ENG | Kira Wealls |
Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Simon King
- Assistant Head Coach: Milly Morgan
- Goalkeeping Coach: Carl Oliver
2023/24 Season Results
Colchester United Womens FC's score is shown first in each case.
| Date | Venue | Opponents | Score | Colchester United Womens FC scorers | Att. | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10, 2023 | Beaulieu Park (A) | Chelmsford City Women Reserves | 11–0 | Ager, Chieowitt-Munns(x3), Greenleaf(x3), Howlett, Jenkins, Wealls, White | ||
| Sep 17, 2023 | Blackmore Sports & Social Club (A) | Blackmore Ladies First | 17–0 | Ager, Chieowitt-Munns(x3), J Craddock-Ball, Gamble(x3), Greenleaf(x4), Jenkins(x5), | ||
| Sep 24, 2023 | Colchester Garrison B (H) | Sudbury Sports Women | 6–1 | Chieowitt-Munns, Farrow, Gamble, Greenleaf(x2), Wealls | ||
| Oct 1, 2023 | Barking FC (A) | Barking Women Reserves | 10–2 | Ager, Greenleaf(x3), Jenkins(x2), L Morgan, Newstead, Wealls(x2) | ||
| Oct 8, 2023 | Colchester Garrison B (H) | Halstead Town Women First | 10–0 | Ager, Cahill(x3), Chieowitt-Munns(x2), J Craddock-Ball, Jenkins(x3) | ||
| Oct 22, 2023 | Lawn Meadow (A) | Hedinghams United Ladies First | 3–0 | Chieowitt-Munns, Greenleaf, Jenkins | ||
| Jan 7, 2024 | Colchester Garrison (H) | Barking Reserves | 4–3 | Cahill, Gamble, Morgan, Newstead | ||
| Jan 14, 2024 | The Milbank Stadium (A) | Halstead Town Women First | 1–0 | AWAY WALKOVER | ||
| Jan 21, 2024 | The Royal Oak Ground (A) | Harwich & Parkeston Women First | 10–1 | Ager(x2), Cahill, Gamble(x3), Greenleaf(x2), Jenkins, White | ||
| Jan 28, 2024 | Colchester Garrison (H) | Hedinghams United Ladies First | 10–1 | Ager, Cahill(x2), Greenleaf(x3), Jenkins, Morgan, Vinton(x2) | ||
| Feb 4, 2023 | Seymour Field (A) | Stones Ladies First | 1–0 | AWAY WALKOVER | ||
| Mar 3, 2024 | Colchester Garrison (H) | Rayleigh Ladies First | 13–0 | Ager(x2), Cahill(x2), J Craddock-Ball, Gamble, Greenleaf, Jenkins, Morgan(x3), Newstead, Own Goal | ||
| Mar 17, 2024 | Great Danes YFC (A) | Great Danes FC | 11–1 | Ager, Cahill(x2), C Craddock-Ball, J Craddock-Ball, Greenleaf, Vinton(x5) | ||
| Apr 7, 2024 | Colchester Garrison (H) | Harwich & Parkeston Women First | 14–0 | Ager(x2), Cahill(x2), Gamble(x3), Greenleaf(x2), Howlett, Jenkins, Morgan(x3) | ||
| Apr 21, 2024 | Colchester Garrison (H) | Chelmsford City Women Reserves | 1–0 | AWAY WALKOVER | ||
| Apr 28, 2024 | Colchester Garrison (H) | Great Danes Women First | 1–0 | AWAY WALKOVER | ||
| May 5, 2024 | Chichester Playing Fields (A) | Rayleigh Ladies First | 7–0 | Ager, Gamble, Greenleaf(x3), Jenkins, Newstead | ||
| May 12, 2024 | The MEL Group Stadium (A) | Sudbury Sports Women | 3–0 | Ager, Morgan, Newstead |
Colchester United Womens FC's score is shown first in each case.
| Date | Round | Venue | Opponents | Score | Colchester United Womens FC scorers | Att. | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2023 | 1 | Church Langley Country Park (A) | Frontiers Ladies First | 3–0 | Ager, C Craddock-Ball, L Morgan | ||
| Nov 26, 2023 | 2 | Nursery Playing Fields (A) | Toby Ladies First | 2–0 | C Craddock-Ball, L Morgan | ||
| Nov 26, 2023 | 3 | Billericay Town FC (A) | Billericay Town Women Reserves | 0–8 |
Colchester United Womens FC's score is shown first in each case.
| Date | Round | Venue | Opponents | Score | Colchester United Womens FC scorers | Att. | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 12, 2023 | 1 | Colchester Garrison B (H) | Corinthians Women First | 11–0 | Ager, Cahill(x3), Vinton(x3), Jenkins(x2), L Morgan(x2) | ||
| Jan 7, 2024 | 2 | Upminster Hall Playing Fields (A) | Emerson & Upminster Ladies First | 1–0 | AWAY WALKOVER | ||
| Feb 25, 2024 | 3 | Noak Hill Sports Complex (A) | Romford Ladies First | 5–0 | Adams, Cahill, Greenleaf, Morgan, Vinton | ||
| Mar 24, 2024 | 4 | Colchester Garrison (H) | Stanway Rovers Ladies First | 6–4 | Morgan(x2), WIN ON PENALTIES (2-2 at Full-Time) | ||
| Apr 14, 2024 | 5 | Chelmsford City FC (A) | Chelmsford City Women First | 2–1 | Cahill(x2) |