1977–78 Colchester United F.C. season
The 1977–78 season was Colchester United's 36th season in their history and first season back in third tier of English football, the Third Division following promotion the previous season. Alongside competing in the Third Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the League Cup.
1977–78 season | ||
---|---|---|
Chairman | Jack Rippingale[1] | |
Manager | Bobby Roberts | |
Stadium | Layer Road | |
Third Division | 8th | |
FA Cup | 2nd round (eliminated by Watford) | |
League Cup | 3rd round (eliminated by Leeds United) | |
Top goalscorer | League: Bobby Gough (13) All: Bobby Gough (17) | |
Highest home attendance | 6,447 v Gillingham, 13 January 1978[2] | |
Lowest home attendance | 2,554 v Rotherham United, 3 May 1978[3] | |
Average home league attendance | 4,566[4] | |
Biggest win | 4–0 v Blackburn Rovers, 7 September 1977 v Portsmouth, 7 March 1978 | |
Biggest defeat | 0–4 v Leeds United, 26 October 1977 v Preston North End, 28 February 1978 | |
| ||
Colchester made steady progress under Bobby Roberts ending the campaign in a strong eighth in the league table. They were eliminated in the League Cup by Leeds United in the third round, while they could not capitalise on last seasons FA Cup success, exiting the competition in the second round to Watford.
Season overview
A strong start to the season saw Colchester reach the top of the Third Division table following four wins in the first five games. A slump in form ended their promotion hopes following one win in ten games after January and the sale of Colin Garwood to Portsmouth for £25,000. They ended the season in eighth position, eight points behind promoted Preston North End.
In the cups, a League Cup run saw the U's thrash former manager Jim Smith's Second Division Blackburn Rovers 4–0 in a second round replay before facing old cup adversaries Leeds United in the third round. Colchester were humbled 4–0 at Elland Road. In the FA Cup, Bournemouth were seen off after two replays, but Colchester succumbed to Watford in the second round.[5]
Players
- As of match played 3 May 1978.[6]
Name | Position | Nationality | Place of birth | Date of birth | Apps | Goals | Signed from | Date signed | Fee | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Goalkeepers | |||||||||||
Ian Cranstone | GK | Rochford | 0 | 0 | Tottenham Hotspur | Summer 1977 | Free transfer | ||||
Bobby Hamilton | GK | 0 | 0 | Unknown | Summer 1977 | ||||||
Mike Walker | GK | Colwyn Bay | 28 November 1945 (aged 31) | 202 | 0 | Watford | July 1973 | £4,000 | |||
Defenders | |||||||||||
Micky Cook | FB | Enfield | 9 April 1951 (aged 26) | 344 | 13 | Orient | 1 March 1969 | Free transfer | |||
Steve Dowman | CB | Ilford | 15 April 1958 (aged 19) | 42 | 12 | Apprentice | 24 August 1976[lower-alpha 1] | Free transfer | |||
Mick Packer | FB | Willesden | 20 April 1950 (aged 27) | 167 | 11 | Watford | July 1973 | Free transfer | |||
Steve Wignall | CB | Liverpool | 17 September 1954 (aged 22) | 0 | 0 | Doncaster Rovers | September 1977 | £5,000 | |||
Johnny Williams | FB | Tottenham | 26 March 1947 (aged 30) | 91 | 0 | Watford | June 1976 | Undisclosed | |||
Steve Wright | CB | Clacton-on-Sea | 16 June 1959 (aged 17) | 0 | 0 | Woods Athletic | 1 October 1977 | Free transfer | |||
Midfielders | |||||||||||
Ray Bunkell | MF | Edmonton | 18 September 1949 (aged 27) | 109 | 8 | Swindon Town | December 1973 | Part exchange | |||
Russell Cotton | MF | Wellington | 4 April 1960 (aged 17) | 0 | 0 | Apprentice | 26 October 1977 | Free transfer | |||
Paul Dyer | MF | Leicester | 24 January 1953 (aged 24) | 83 | 2 | Notts County | Summer 1975 | Undisclosed | |||
Tony Evans | MF | Colchester | 14 March 1960 (aged 17) | 0 | 0 | Apprentice | 4 March 1978[lower-alpha 1] | Free transfer | |||
Steve Foley | MF | Clacton-on-Sea | 21 June 1953 (aged 23) | 149 | 29 | Apprentice | July 1969 | Free transfer | |||
Steve Leslie | MF | Hornsey | 4 September 1952 (aged 24) | 237 | 37 | Apprentice | 20 April 1971[lower-alpha 1] | Free transfer | |||
Eddie Rowles | MF | Gosport | 10 March 1951 (aged 26) | 0 | 0 | Darlington | 26 December 1977[lower-alpha 1] | £15,000 | |||
Forwards | |||||||||||
Ian Allinson | WG | Hitchin | 1 October 1957 (aged 19) | 50 | 7 | Apprentice | Summer 1974 | Free transfer | |||
Bobby Gough | FW | Ladywood | 20 July 1949 (aged 27) | 74 | 24 | Southport | January 1976 | £7,000 | |||
Gary Harvey | FW | Colchester | 19 November 1961 (aged 15) | 0 | 0 | Apprentice | March 1978 | Free transfer |
- Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game for the club
Transfers
In
Date | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Summer 1977 | GK | Ian Cranstone | Tottenham Hotspur | Free transfer | [7] | |
Summer 1977 | GK | Bobby Hamilton | Unknown | Unknown | [8] | |
September 1977 | CB | Steve Wignall | Doncaster Rovers | £5,000 | [9] | |
1 October 1977 | CB | Steve Wright | Woods Athletic | Free transfer | [10][lower-alpha 1] | |
26 October 1977 | MF | Russell Cotton | Apprentice | Free transfer | [11][lower-alpha 1] | |
26 December 1977 | MF | Eddie Rowles | Darlington | £15,000 | [12][lower-alpha 2] | |
March 1978 | FW | Gary Harvey | Apprentice | Free transfer | [13] | |
4 March 1978 | MF | Tony Evans | Apprentice | Free transfer | [14][lower-alpha 2] |
- Total spending: ~ £20,000
- Date of signing refers to the date of the player signing his first professional contract
- Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game for the club
Out
Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October 1977 | CB | Lindsay Smith | Cambridge United | £12,000 | [15] | |
February 1978 | FW | John Froggatt | Port Vale | £10,000 | [16] | |
4 March 1978 | FW | Colin Garwood | Portsmouth | £25,000 | [17] |
- Total incoming: ~ £52,000
Loans out
Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | End date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Summer 1977 | CB | Lindsay Smith | Charlton Athletic | October 1977 | [15] | |
October 1977 | CB | Lindsay Smith | Millwall | October 1977 | [15] |
Match details
Third Division
Results round by round
League table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | Walsall | 46 | 18 | 17 | 11 | 61 | 50 | +11 | 53 |
7 | Gillingham | 46 | 15 | 20 | 11 | 67 | 60 | +7 | 50 |
8 | Colchester United | 46 | 15 | 18 | 13 | 55 | 44 | +11 | 48 |
9 | Chesterfield | 46 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 58 | 49 | +9 | 48 |
10 | Swindon Town | 46 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 67 | 60 | +7 | 48 |
Matches
20 August 1977 1 | Gillingham | 1–3 | Colchester United | Gillingham |
Unknown goalscorer | Report | Foley 22' Packer 50' Gough 75' |
Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 3,450 Referee: K Salmon |
23 August 1977 2 | Colchester United | 3–0 | Bradford City | Colchester |
Froggatt 26' Gough 38' Leslie 77' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,371 Referee: Ron Challis |
27 August 1977 3 | Colchester United | 2–0 | Chester | Colchester |
Gough 81', 85' | Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,169 Referee: Alan Gunn |
2 September 1977 4 | Tranmere Rovers | 1–0 | Colchester United | Birkenhead |
Moore 82' | Report | Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 3,263 Referee: R Chadwick |
9 September 1977 5 | Colchester United | 3–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Colchester |
Williams 48' Gough 73' Dowman 83' |
Report | Hall 58' | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 5,719 Referee: Colin Downey |
13 September 1977 6 | Portsmouth | 0–0 | Colchester United | Portsmouth |
Report | Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 11,757 Referee: Malcolm Sinclair |
17 September 1977 7 | Rotherham United | 1–0 | Colchester United | Rotherham |
Womble 71' | Report | Stadium: Millmoor Attendance: 4,906 Referee: N Glover |
24 September 1977 8 | Colchester United | 0–0 | Preston North End | Colchester |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,978 Referee: Tom Bune |
27 September 1977 9 | Colchester United | 2–3 | Port Vale | Colchester |
Gough 17' Garwood 90' |
Report | Beech 10' Beamish 55', 85' |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,820 Referee: M Taylor |
1 October 1977 10 | Carlisle United | 1–3 | Colchester United | Carlisle |
McVitie 86' | Report | Garwood 37', 85' Gough 83' |
Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 4,611 Referee: K Redfearn |
5 October 1977 11 | Chesterfield | 0–0 | Colchester United | Chesterfield |
Report | Stadium: Saltergate Attendance: 4,575 Referee: David Webb |
8 October 1977 12 | Colchester United | 0–0 | Colchester United | Colchester |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,586 Referee: C White |
14 October 1977 13 | Colchester United | 1–1 | Oxford United | Colchester |
Foley 29' | Report | Foley 51' | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,893 Referee: Alf Grey |
22 October 1977 14 | Cambridge United | 2–0 | Colchester United | Cambridge |
Spriggs 43', 45' | Report | Leslie | Stadium: Abbey Stadium Attendance: 5,423 Referee: J Sewell |
28 October 1977 15 | Colchester United | 3–0 | Peterborough United | Colchester |
Allinson 38' Packer 40' Gough 65' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,827 Referee: B Daniels |
5 November 1977 16 | Walsall | 4–2 | Colchester United | Walsall |
Serella 17' Dennehy 55' Buckley 56', 80' |
Report | Allinson 51' Garwood 87' |
Stadium: Fellows Park Attendance: 4,231 Referee: Clive Thomas |
11 November 1977 17 | Colchester United | 2–0 | Swindon Town | Colchester |
Garwood 35' Bunkell 60' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,688 Referee: D Reeves |
19 November 1977 18 | Wrexham | 2–1 | Colchester United | Wrexham |
Shinton 7' Whittle 9' |
Report | Wignall 30' | Stadium: Racecourse Ground Attendance: 9,198 Referee: G Owen |
3 December 1977 19 | Sheffield Wednesday | 1–2 | Colchester United | Sheffield |
Wylde 63' | Report | Cook 26' Garwood 53' |
Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium Attendance: 9,000 Referee: Joe Worrall |
9 December 1977 20 | Colchester United | 3–1 | Exeter City | Colchester |
Dowman 13' Gough 63' Garwood 66' |
Report | Holman 61' | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,267 Referee: C Maskell |
26 December 1977 21 | Colchester United | 1–1 | Lincoln City | Colchester |
Froggatt 18' | Report | Graham 69' | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 5,840 Referee: B Hill |
27 December 1977 22 | Bury | 1–1 | Colchester United | Bury |
Tucker 53' | Report | Foley 79' | Stadium: Gigg Lane Attendance: 5,409 Referee: R Bridges |
31 December 1977 23 | Shrewsbury Town | 1–0 | Colchester United | Shrewsbury |
Irvine 74' | Report | Stadium: Gay Meadow Attendance: 4,336 Referee: N Ashley |
2 January 1978 24 | Colchester United | 1–1 | Walsall | Colchester |
Gough 67' | Report | Buckley 38' | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 6,039 Referee: T Cox |
7 January 1978 25 | Bradford City | 1–2 | Colchester United | Bradford |
Wright 20' | Report | Gough 3' Dowman 13' |
Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 3,266 Referee: P Richardson |
13 January 1978 26 | Colchester United | 1–1 | Gillingham | Colchester |
Gough 39' | Report | Walker 82' | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 6,447 Referee: A Turvey |
21 January 1978 27 | Chester | 2–1 | Colchester United | Chester |
Crossley 45' (pen.) I. Edwards 58' |
Report | Rowles 28' | Stadium: Sealand Road Attendance: 2,855 Referee: D Richardson |
27 January 1978 28 | Colchester United | 0–0 | Tranmere Rovers | Colchester |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,465 Referee: A Robinson |
4 February 1978 29 | Plymouth Argyle | 1–1 | Colchester United | Plymouth |
Taylor 5' | Report | Rowles 28' | Stadium: Home Park Attendance: 4,639 Referee: W Gow |
25 February 1978 30 | Colchester United | 2–2 | Carlisle United | Colchester |
Garwood 3' Dowman 7' |
Report | Rafferty 51' Lathan 89' |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,867 Referee: Rob Lewis |
28 February 1978 31 | Preston North End | 4–0 | Colchester United | Preston |
Bruce 60' (pen.), 75', 78' (pen.), 85' (pen.) | Report | Stadium: Deepdale Attendance: 9,225 Referee: Peter Willis |
4 March 1978 32 | Hereford United | 1–0 | Colchester United | Hereford |
Barton 44' (pen.) | Report | Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 3,831 Referee: A McDonald |
7 March 1978 33 | Colchester United | 4–0 | Portsmouth | Colchester |
Foley 17' Rowles 28' Taylor 55' (o.g.) Allinson 67' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,570 |
11 March 1978 34 | Oxford United | 3–0 | Colchester United | Oxford |
Curran 47', 71' Jeffrey 86' |
Report | Stadium: Manor Ground Attendance: 4,060 Referee: K Baker |
14 March 1978 35 | Peterborough United | 1–0 | Colchester United | Peterborough |
Camp 83' | Report | Stadium: London Road Stadium Attendance: 4,468 Referee: R Perkin |
17 March 1978 36 | Colchester United | 2–1 | Cambridge United | Colchester |
Allinson 24' Wignall 80' |
Report | Streete 51' Finney |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 5,260 Referee: D Lloyd |
25 March 1978 37 | Colchester United | 1–0 | Bury | Colchester |
Allinson 77' | Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,661 Referee: David Hutchinson |
27 March 1978 38 | Lincoln City | 0–0 | Colchester United | Lincoln |
Report | Stadium: Sincil Bank Attendance: 4,709 Referee: P Reeves |
1 April 1978 39 | Colchester United | 1–2 | Shrewsbury Town | Colchester |
Leslie 54' | Report | Loughnane 38' Biggins 52' |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 2,910 |
4 April 1978 40 | Colchester United | 2–0 | Chesterfield | Colchester |
Gough 60' Leslie 64' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,303 Referee: J Bent |
8 April 1978 41 | Swindon Town | 0–0 | Colchester United | Swindon |
Report | Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 4,596 Referee: Clive White |
15 April 1978 42 | Colchester United | 1–1 | Wrexham | Colchester |
Foley 12' | Report | Thomas 13' | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 5,385 Referee: T Spencer |
22 April 1978 43 | Exeter City | 0–0 | Colchester United | Exeter |
Report | Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 3,853 Referee: L Burden |
24 April 1978 44 | Port Vale | 0–3 | Colchester United | Burslem |
Report | Allinson 37' Foley 54', 60' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,684 Referee: T Morris |
29 April 1978 45 | Colchester United | 1–1 | Sheffield Wednesday | Colchester |
Dowman 3' | Report | Rushbury 69' | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,337 Referee: John Homewood |
3 May 1978 46 | Colchester United | 0–0 | Rotherham United | Colchester |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 2,554 Referee: H Robinson |
League Cup
13 August 1977 1st round 1st leg | Aldershot | 1–1 | Colchester United | Aldershot |
Crosby 25' | Report | Gough 15' | Stadium: Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,574 Referee: J Bent |
16 August 1977 1st round 2nd leg | Colchester United | 4–1 | Aldershot | Colchester |
Howitt 35' (o.g.) Dowman 41' Froggatt 62', 69' |
Report | Needham 11' | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,360 | |
Note: Colchester won 5–2 on aggregate |
31 August 1977 2nd round | Blackburn Rovers | 1–1 | Colchester United | Blackburn |
Metcalfe 8' | Report | Garwood 38' | Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 6,193 Referee: G Flint |
7 September 1977 2nd round replay | Colchester United | 4–0 | Blackburn Rovers | Colchester |
Gough 22', 76' Allinson 50' Garwood 83' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 5,843 Referee: John Homewood |
26 October 1977 3rd round | Leeds United | 4–0 | Colchester United | Leeds |
Jordan 12' Graham 21' Lorimer 53' Hankin 83' |
Report | Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 17,713 Referee: J Butcher |
FA Cup
26 November 1977 1st round | Colchester United | 1–1 | Bournemouth | Colchester |
Gough 83' | Report | Howarth 29' | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,465 Referee: Clive White |
29 November 1977 1st round replay | Bournemouth | 0–0 | Colchester United | Bournemouth |
Report | Stadium: Dean Court Attendance: 3,838 |
5 December 1977 1st round 2nd replay | Colchester United | 4–1 | Bournemouth | Watford |
Dowman 26' Garwood 32', 39', 89' |
Report | Barton 8' | Stadium: Vicarage Road Attendance: 2,230 Referee: Ron Challis |
Squad statistics
Appearances and goals
No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Third Division | FA Cup | League Cup | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||
GK | Mike Walker | 55 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||
DF | Micky Cook | 53 | 1 | 44 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||
DF | Steve Dowman | 52 | 7 | 43 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | ||||
DF | Mick Packer | 52 | 2 | 44 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||
DF | Steve Wignall | 38 | 2 | 32+2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
DF | Johnny Williams | 35 | 1 | 26+1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||
DF | Steve Wright | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
MF | Ray Bunkell | 28 | 1 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
MF | Russell Cotton | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
MF | Paul Dyer | 32 | 0 | 21+9 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
MF | Tony Evans | 7 | 0 | 5+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
MF | Steve Foley | 35 | 7 | 29+3 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
MF | Steve Leslie | 49 | 3 | 41 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||
MF | Eddie Rowles | 9 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
FW | Ian Allinson | 54 | 7 | 45 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||||
FW | Bobby Gough | 51 | 17 | 42 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 3 | ||||
Players who appeared for Colchester who left during the season | |||||||||||||
FW | John Froggatt | 34 | 4 | 25 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 2 | ||||
FW | Colin Garwood | 39 | 13 | 28+2 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
Goalscorers
Place | Nationality | Position | Name | Third Division | FA Cup | League Cup | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | FW | Bobby Gough | 13 | 1 | 3 | 17 | |
2 | FW | Colin Garwood | 8 | 3 | 2 | 13 | |
3 | WG | Ian Allinson | 6 | 0 | 1 | 7 | |
CB | Steve Dowman | 5 | 1 | 1 | 7 | ||
MF | Steve Foley | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | ||
6 | FW | John Froggatt | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | |
7 | MF | Steve Leslie | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
MF | Eddie Rowles | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||
9 | FB | Mick Packer | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
CB | Steve Wignall | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
11 | MF | Ray Bunkell | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
FB | Micky Cook | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
FB | Johnny Williams | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
Own goals | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |||
TOTALS | 55 | 5 | 10 | 70 |
Disciplinary record
Nationality | Position | Name | Third Division | FA Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MF | Steve Leslie | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
WG | Ian Allinson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
FW | Colin Garwood | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
FW | Bobby Gough | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
TOTALS | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
Clean sheets
Number of games goalkeepers kept a clean sheet.[20]
Place | Nationality | Player | Third Division | FA Cup | League Cup | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mike Walker | 17 | 1 | 1 | 19 | |
TOTALS | 17 | 1 | 1 | 19 |
Player debuts
Players making their first-team Colchester United debut in a fully competitive match.[21]
Position | Nationality | Player | Date | Opponent | Ground | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CB | Steve Wignall | 13 September 1977 | Portsmouth | Fratton Park | ||
MF | Eddie Rowles | 27 December 1977 | Bury | Gigg Lane | ||
MF | Tony Evans | 4 March 1978 | Hereford United | Edgar Street | ||
CB | Steve Wright | 8 April 1978 | Swindon Town | County Ground | ||
MF | Russell Cotton | 24 April 1978 | Port Vale | Vale Park | ||
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
- "Colchester United football club match record: 1978". 11v11.com. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
Specific
- Whitehead, Jeff; Drury, Kevin (2008). The Who's Who of Colchester United: The Layer Road Years. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 278. ISBN 978-1-85983-629-3.
- "Colchester Utd 1–1 Gillingham". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- "Colchester Utd 0–0 Rotherham United". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- "Average Attendance Figures Per Season". Coludaybyday.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- Hudson, Matt (11 July 2012). "The 1970s and 1980s". Colchester United FC. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- "Appearances". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- "ian cranstone – fact file". mehstg.com. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- Whitehead, Jeff; Drury, Kevin (2008). The Who's Who of Colchester United: The Layer Road Years. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 239. ISBN 978-1-85983-629-3.
- "Steve Wignall". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- "Steve Wright". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- "Russell Cotton". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- "Eddie Rowles". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- "Gary Harvey". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- "Tony Evans". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- "Lindsay Smith". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- "John Froggatt". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- "Colin Garwood". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- "Goals". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- "Discipline". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- "Clean sheets (1st team)". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- "Alltime- List of Debuts". Coludaybyday.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2018.