# 1992–93 Colchester United F.C. season

The 1992–93 season was Colchester United's 51st season in their history and their first season back in the Football League. Colchester competed in the Third Division, the fourth tier of English football, after achieving promotion from the Conference the season prior. Alongside competing in the Third Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Football League Trophy, and the Conference Shield.
Roy McDonough led his newly promoted side to a tenth-placed finish in Division Three, finishing just four points off the play-off places. The club performed poorly in the cup competitions, instead focusing on league form. They exited the League Cup and Football League Trophy at the first round stages, and the FA Cup in the second round. They also faced Wycombe Wanderers in the Conference Shield, an annual tie between the Conference winners and the FA Trophy winners. As Colchester had achieved a non-League double, winning both trophies, they faced the second placed side from the previous campaign, Wycombe. McDonough sent a weakened side out for the match, again in favour of league football, as the U's lost 3–0 to their previous bitter rivals.

## Season overview

In the first season since the advent of the Premier League, Colchester's promotion back to the Football League meant that instead of joining the Fourth Division, they instead joined Division Three, the fourth tier of English football but no longer in name.
Chairman James Bowdidge stepped down from his role due to business commitments, and former reserve team player Gordon Parker took over.
Two major player departures occurred across the summer period, with ever-present goalkeeper Scott Barrett opting to join Gillingham on a free transfer, and Forward Mike Masters, who was unable to obtain a work permit.
Colchester lost four of their first five games and found themselves at the bottom of the league table. They also received a heavy fine from The Football Association for indiscipline, with manager Roy McDonough one of the main culprits. The U's attacking nature was not as effected against Football League opposition as it was against their Conference counterparts the previous season. They conceded seven goals and five goals on one occasion each, and also conceded four goals on six separate occasions. Despite this, they rallied late in the season to finish tenth in Division Three, just four points off the play-off positions.
In the FA Cup, Colchester defeated Slough Town by scoring four goals for the third consecutive meeting between the sides. They faced Gillingham at Priestfield Stadium in the second round, but were defeated in the Layer Road replay after a 1–1 draw.
Colchester were narrowly defeated in the first round of the League Cup, with Brighton & Hove Albion coming out on top 2–1 over two legs.
In the first round group stage of the Football League Trophy, the U's were beaten in both of their matches against Northampton Town and Barnet.
The club were also required to play in the Conference Shield, an annual match played between the victors of the FA Trophy and the Conference champions. As Colchester had sealed a non-League double in 1991–92, they faced Wycombe Wanderers who had finished as runners-up to the U's in the league. McDonough sent out a scratch side for the game and Wycombe duly won 3–0.

## Players

    As of match played 8 May 1993.
| Name | Position | Place of birth | Date of birth | Apps | Goals | Signed from | Date signed | Fee |
| Goalkeepers ||||||||||
| Nathan Munson | GK | Colchester | (1974-11-10)10 November 1974 (aged 17) | 0 | 0 | Apprentice | 8 May 1993 | Free transfer |
| Defenders ||||||||||
| Simon Betts | FB | Middlesbrough | (1973-03-03)3 March 1973 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | Scarborough | 11 December 1992 | Free transfer |
| Peter Cawley | CB | Walton-on-Thames | (1965-09-15)15 September 1965 (aged 26) | 4 | 0 | Barnet | 30 October 1992 | Free transfer |
| Tony English | DF/MF | Luton | (1966-10-19)19 October 1966 (aged 25) | 360 | 48 | Coventry City | 24 December 1984 | Free transfer |
| Martin Grainger | FB | Enfield Town | (1972-08-23)23 August 1972 (aged 19) | 33 | 2 | Apprentice | 16 December 1989 | Free transfer |
| Andy Partner | CB | Colchester | (1974-10-21)21 October 1974 (aged 17) | 1 | 0 | Apprentice | 16 December 1991 | Free transfer |
| Paul Roberts | DF | West Ham | (1962-04-27)27 April 1962 (aged 30) | 45 | 1 | Fisher Athletic | 28 September 1991 | £750 |
| Midfielders ||||||||||
| Steve Ball | MF | Colchester | (1969-09-02)2 September 1969 (aged 22) | 5 | 1 | Cambridge United | 14 September 1992 | Free transfer |
| Jason Cook | MF | Edmonton | (1969-12-29)29 December 1969 (aged 22) | 44 | 3 | Southend United | 28 September 1991 | Free transfer |
| Mark Kinsella | MF | Dublin | (1972-08-12)12 August 1972 (aged 19) | 76 | 7 | Home Farm | 18 August 1989 | Free transfer |
| Nicky Smith | LM | Berkeley | (1969-01-28)28 January 1969 (aged 23) | 96 | 11 | Southend United | 18 August 1990 | Free transfer |
| Forwards ||||||||||
| Paul Abrahams | FW/WG | Colchester | (1973-10-31)31 October 1973 (aged 18) | 6 | 0 | Apprentice | 26 August 1991 | Free transfer |
| Gary Bennett | WG | Enfield Town | (1970-11-13)13 November 1970 (aged 21) | 145 | 37 | Tottenham Hotpsur | 21 October 1988 | Free transfer |
| Julian Hazel | FW | Luton | (1973-09-25)25 September 1973 (aged 18) | 2 | 0 | Apprentice | 14 January 1992 | Free transfer |
| Robert Hopkins | WG | Hall Green | (1961-10-25)25 October 1961 (aged 30) | 0 | 0 | Instant-Dict | February 1993 | Non-contract |
| Roy McDonough | FW | Solihull | (1958-10-16)16 October 1958 (aged 33) | 191 | 64 | Southend United | 13 October 1990 | Part exchange |
| Steve McGavin | FW | North Walsham | (1969-01-24)24 January 1969 (aged 23) | 61 | 28 | Sudbury Town | 1 April 1991 | £10,000 |
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game for the club
* 1 2 Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game in his second spell for the club

## Transfers
### In

| Date | Position | Name | From | Fee |
| 15 August 1992 | CB | Darren Oxbrow | Maidstone United | Free transfer |
| 14 September 1992 | MF | Steve Ball | Cambridge United | Free transfer |
| 6 October 1992 | GK | Alasdair Monk | Norwich City | Free transfer |
| 30 October 1992 | CB | Peter Cawley | Barnet | Free transfer |
| November 1992 | MF | Tony Sorrell | Peterborough United | Free transfer |
| 11 December 1992 | FB | Simon Betts | Scarborough | Free transfer |
| February 1993 | WG | Robert Hopkins | Instant-Dict | Non-contract |
| 12 March 1993 | CB | Paul Flowers | Watford | Free transfer |
| 8 May 1993 | GK | Nathan Munson | Apprentice | Free transfer |
* Total spending: ~ £0
* 1 2 3 4 5 Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game for the club
* ↑ Date of signing refers to the date of the player's first game in his second spell for the club

### Out

| Date | Position | Name | To | Fee |
| End of season | GK | Scott Barrett | Gillingham | Free transfer |
| End of season | MF | Wayne Hannigan | Chelmsford City | Released |
| End of season | FW | Steve Restarick | Chelmsford City | Released |
| Summer 1992 | MF | Eamonn Collins | Exeter City | Free transfer |
| October 1992 | DF | James Goodwin | Earls Colne | Released |
| 24 October 1992 | MF | Robbie Devereux | Shelbourne | Free transfer |
| 28 November 1992 | MF/FB | Warren Donald | Kettering Town | Released |
| 18 December 1992 | MF | Tony Sorrell | Barnet | Contract terminated |
| 21 December 1992 | GK | Alasdair Monk | Brantham Athletic | Released |
| 21 December 1992 | FB | Ian Phillips | Halstead Town | Undisclosed |
| 8 May 1993 | CB | Paul Flowers | Grays Athletic | Released |
* Total incoming: ~ £0
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 Date of departure refers to the date of the player's final game for the club
* ↑ Player sacked by the club following a training ground incident
* ↑ Joined as player-manager

### Loans in

| Date | Position | Name | From | End date |
| 12 August 1992 | GK | Paul Newell | Leyton Orient | 3 November 1992 |
| October 1992 | CB | Peter Cawley | Barnet | 24 October 1992 |
| 7 November 1992 | GK | Ron Green | Kidderminster Harriers | 16 December 1992 |
| 17 December 1992 | GK | Carl Emberson | Millwall | 12 March 1993 |
| 31 December 1992 | FW | Dean Martin | West Ham United | 28 February 1993 |
| 19 March 1993 | GK | Fred Barber | Peterborough United | 31 May 1993 |
* ↑ Loan end date refers to the date of the player's final game for the club
* 1 2 Loan end date refers to the date of the player's final game in his first spell for the club
* ↑ Loan start and end dates refer to the date of the player's first and final games for the club

## Match details
### Third Division
#### Results round by round

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 |
| Ground | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | A |
| Result | W | L | L | L | L | W | L | L | W | W | W | L | L | W | L | D | L | W | W | L | W | W | W | L | D | L | D | D | L | W | L | W | W | L | D | W | W | W | L | W | L | L |
| Position | 8 | 9 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 15 | 16 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 |

#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 8 | Lincoln City | 42 | 18 | 9 | 15 | 57 | 53 | +4 | 63 |
| 9 | Shrewsbury Town | 42 | 17 | 11 | 14 | 57 | 52 | +5 | 62 |
| 10 | Colchester United | 42 | 18 | 5 | 19 | 67 | 76 | −9 | 59 |
| 11 | Rochdale | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 70 | 70 | 0 | 58 |
| 12 | Chesterfield | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 59 | 63 | −4 | 56 |

#### Matches
### Football League Trophy

Group 1 :
| Team v t e | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| Northampton Town | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 | Qualified for next round |
| Barnet | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 3 | Qualified for next round |
| Colchester United | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 0 | |

## Squad statistics
### Appearances and goals

| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Total | Third Division | Third Division | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy | Football League Trophy | Conference Shield | Conference Shield |
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| | GK | ENG | Nathan Munson | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | DF | ENG | Simon Betts | 25 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | DF | ENG | Peter Cawley | 27 | 3 | 22+2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| | FW | ENG | Tony English | 39 | 2 | 30+3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | DF | ENG | Martin Grainger | 35 | 4 | 28+3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| | DF | ENG | Andy Partner | 3 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| | DF | ENG | Paul Roberts | 50 | 1 | 42 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| | MF | ENG | Steve Ball | 28 | 8 | 19+5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| | MF | ENG | Jason Cook | 39 | 2 | 30+4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| | MF | IRL | Mark Kinsella | 45 | 6 | 37+1 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| | MF | ENG | Nicky Smith | 50 | 4 | 42 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| | FW | ENG | Paul Abrahams | 26 | 6 | 9+14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| | FW | ENG | Gary Bennett | 45 | 10 | 30+8 | 8 | 1+1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| | FW | ENG | Julian Hazel | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | FW | ENG | Robert Hopkins | 14 | 1 | 13+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | FW | ENG | Roy McDonough | 31 | 9 | 21+4 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | FW | ENG | Steve McGavin | 43 | 10 | 35+2 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Players who appeared for Colchester who left during the season ||||||||||||||||
| | GK | ENG | Fred Barber | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | GK | ENG | Carl Emberson | 13 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | GK | ENG | Ron Green | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | GK | ENG | Alasdair Monk | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| | GK | ENG | Paul Newell | 16 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | DF | ENG | Paul Flowers | 3 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | DF | ENG | Darren Oxbrow | 21 | 4 | 12+4 | 4 | 0+1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| | DF | SCO | Ian Phillips | 2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | MF | ENG | Robbie Devereux | 8 | 0 | 3+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | MF | ENG | Tony Sorrell | 8 | 2 | 4+1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | FW | ENG | Warren Donald | 15 | 0 | 8+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| | FW | ENG | Dean Martin | 8 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

### Goalscorers

| Place | Position | Name | Third Division | FA Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy | Conference Shield | Total |
| 1 | WG | Gary Bennett | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1 | FW | Steve McGavin | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 3 | FW | Roy McDonough | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 4 | MF | Steve Ball | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| 5 | FW/WG | Paul Abrahams | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 5 | MF | Mark Kinsella | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 7 | FB | Martin Grainger | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | CB | Darren Oxbrow | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | LM | Nicky Smith | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 | CB | Peter Cawley | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 11 | MF | Jason Cook | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | DF/MF | Tony English | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | FW | Dean Martin | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | MF | Tony Sorrell | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 15 | WG | Robert Hopkins | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 15 | DF | Paul Roberts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| | | Own goals | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| | | TOTALS | 67 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 78 |

### Disciplinary record

| Position | Name | Third Division | Third Division | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy | Football League Trophy | Conference Shield | Conference Shield | Total | Total |
| FW | Roy McDonough | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| MF | Tony Sorrell | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| | TOTALS | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |

### Clean sheets

Number of games goalkeepers kept a clean sheet.
| Place | Player | Third Division | FA Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy | Conference Shield | Total |
| 1 | Fred Barber | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 1 | Carl Emberson | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 | Ron Green | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 4 | Paul Newell | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| | TOTALS | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |

### Player debuts

Players making their first-team Colchester United debut in a fully competitive match.
| Position | Player | Date | Opponent | Ground |
| MF | Robbie Devereux | 15 August 1992 | Lincoln City | Layer Road |
| GK | Paul Newell | 15 August 1992 | Lincoln City | Layer Road |
| CB | Darren Oxbrow | 15 August 1992 | Lincoln City | Layer Road |
| MF | Steve Ball | 19 September 1992 | York City | Bootham Crescent |
| CB | Peter Cawley | 6 October 1992 | Wycombe Wanderers | Adams Park |
| GK | Alasdair Monk | 6 October 1992 | Wycombe Wanderers | Adams Park |
| CB | Peter Cawley | 30 October 1992 | Wrexham | Layer Road |
| GK | Ron Green | 7 November 1992 | Cardiff City | Ninian Park |
| MF | Tony Sorrell | 7 November 1992 | Cardiff City | Ninian Park |
| FB | Simon Betts | 16 December 1992 | Gillingham | Layer Road |
| GK | Carl Emberson | 18 December 1992 | Gillingham | Priestfield Stadium |
| FW | Dean Martin | 2 January 1993 | Walsall | Bescot Stadium |
| WG | Robert Hopkins | 20 February 1993 | Shrewsbury Town | Gay Meadow |
| CB | Paul Flowers | 12 March 1993 | Cardiff City | Layer Road |
| GK | Fred Barber | 20 March 1993 | Carlisle United | Brunton Park |
| GK | Nathan Munson | 8 May 1993 | Wrexham | Racecourse Ground |
* 1 2 3 Second debut for the club