Draft:Colchester United W.F.C.

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  • 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)



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.

Colchester United Women's Football Club
Full nameColchester United Women's Football Club
Nickname(s)The U's
FoundedJuly 2023
GroundColchester Garrison B Ground
Head CoachSimon King
LeagueEssex County Women's Football League
WebsiteClub website
Current season

History[edit]

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[edit]

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. As of April 2024, they are currently undefeated in all division and league cup 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 on Sunday 14th April 2024 in the semi-final. [8][9]

Colours and Crest[edit]

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[edit]

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 B ground, with full access to the covered seating area and clubhouse before and after matches.[10]

Players[edit]

First-team squad[edit]

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
1 GK England ENG Rosa Devall
2 DEF England ENG Jacqueline Craddock-Ball
3 DF England ENG Sophie Farrow
4 MF England ENG Caddie Craddock-Ball (captain)
5 MF England ENG Niamh Gamble
6 DF England ENG Deben Howlett
7 MF England ENG Ruby Vinton
8 MF England ENG Thalia Adams
9 FW England ENG Ruby Greenleaf
10 FW England ENG Kenza Chieowit-Munns
11 MF England ENG Emily Ager
12 MF England ENG Hayleigh Jenkins
13 GK England ENG Jessica Clark
14 DF England ENG Karys Paton
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 DF England ENG Rosie Mowatt
16 MF England ENG Jamie Newstead (Also plays GK)
17 DF England ENG Leah Pope
18 FW England ENG Ella Cahill
19 MF England ENG Caitlin White
20 DF England ENG Jodie Morgan
21 MF England ENG Lindsey Morgan
22 MF England ENG Kira Wealls

Coaching Staff[edit]

  • Head Coach: Simon King
  • Assistant Head Coach: Milly Morgan
  • Goalkeeping Coach: Carl Oliver

2023/24 Season Results[edit]

Colchester United Womens FC's score is shown first in each case.

Colchester United Womens FC in the 2023–24 Essex County Women's Football League (Div 2)
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

Colchester United Womens FC's score is shown first in each case.

Colchester United Womens FC in the 2023–24 BBC Essex Womens Cup
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.

Colchester United Womens FC in the 2023–24 Essex Womens County League Cup
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)


References[edit]

  1. ^ "Colchester United to launch new women's team". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  2. ^ "Colchester United women's team to make welcome return after ten-year absence". Gazette. 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  3. ^ "Colchester United's relaunched Women's team is "pathway" for "Young Talented Players"". Planet Radio. 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  4. ^ "Returning Colchester United women's side all set for big kick-off". Gazette. 2023-09-08. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  5. ^ "Full Results Table". The Football Association. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  6. ^ "Promotion the aim for Colchester United Women after stunning start". Gazette. 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  7. ^ "King Appointed Women's Head Coach". www.cu-fc.com. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  8. ^ "Match Report - Chelmsford Cty Women v Colchester United Women". Women's Football East. 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  9. ^ "Romford Women see cup hopes ended by Colchester United". Romford Recorder. 2024-02-27. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  10. ^ "New Home Awaits U's Women". www.cu-fc.com. Retrieved 2023-12-04.