# 2021–22 Colchester United F.C. season

The 2021–22 season was Colchester United's 85th season in their history and their sixth successive season competing in League Two. Along with competing in League Two, the club also participated in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy.

## Season overview
### Pre-season

Colchester's place in League Two for the 2021–22 season was confirmed on 1 May 2021 in their penultimate game of the season following a 1–0 win against Salford City.
On 13 May, following the close of the 2020–21 season having led the U's to safety, Mullins was named permanent head coach of Colchester United.
The club announced the retained list for the 2021–22 season on 14 May. Harry Beadle, Ryan Clampin, Sam Cornish, Billy Cracknell and Tom Eastman were offered new contracts, with Ben Stevenson and Michael Folivi awaiting contract decisions or discussions.
Players released at the end of their contracts included Joshua Bohui, 2020–21 top scorer Jevani Brown, Callum Coulter, Paris Cowan-Hall, Luke Gambin, Callum Harriott, Tom Lapslie, club captain Harry Pell, Courtney Senior, Omar Sowunmi and Diaz Wright.
On 25 May, long-serving defender Tom Eastman signed a new two-year contract with the club. Colchester also announced their first signing of the season with Cole Skuse joining from Ipswich Town on a two-year deal following his release from the Suffolk club.
On 4 June, young defenders Harry Beadle and Billy Cracknell signed one-year contracts with the club. Beadle joined up with the U's towards the end of the 2020–21 season with his contract at Charlton Athletic expiring, while Cracknell, who made his first-team debut last season, also agreed his first professional deal.
On 7 June, midfielder Sam Cornish joined Beadle and Cracknell in signing his first professional contract with the club, agreeing a one-year contract.
The same day, fellow midfielder Ben Stevenson revealed he would be leaving the club after two-and-a-half years with the U's.
Colchester announced the signing of both centre back Luke Chambers from Ipswich Town and midfielder Luke Hannant from Cambridge United on two-year deals on 10 June.
Left-back Ryan Clampin agreed a new two-year contract with the club on 11 June.
On 15 June, Colchester announced the re-signing of Freddie Sears on a two-year contract from Ipswich Town following his release. The club also revealed a new assistant manager, with Alex Dyer joining Hayden Mullins' team.
Colchester re-signed Frank Nouble for a third time on 18 June when he joined on a free transfer from Plymouth Argyle on a two-year deal. Joining alongside Nouble was Alan Judge who became the fourth player to sign for Colchester directly from Ipswich Town following his release.
Wales under-21 defender Cameron Coxe joined Colchester on loan from National League side Solihull Moors on 2 July. He signed initially until January 2022.
On 5 July, Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu and Tommy Smith both extended their contracts with the club by a further year, with both now set to expire in summer 2023. Junior Tchamadeu also signed a new deal by committing for three years until 2024.
Colchester played their first pre-season friendly on 13 July at Billericay Town. Second-half goals from Alan Judge, trialist Richard Kone, and Freddie Sears earned the U's a 3–0 victory.
Tommy Smith was announced as Colchester's new captain ahead of the new season following the departure of Harry Pell.
Colchester played two 60-minute matches against Watford on 17 July fielding entirely different teams in each. The Premier League club won the first match 2–1 with Alan Judge scoring the U's goal, and then won 2–0 in the second.
Colchester welcomed Tottenham Hotspur to the Colchester Community Stadium for a friendly on 21 July. Three first-half goals from Son Heung-min, Lucas Moura and Dele Alli were enough to give the Premier League side victory as fans returned to the stadium for the first time in seven months.
Gillingham were the visitors for the next home friendly on 24 July, but the U's suffered a 2–0 defeat to their League One opponents.
On 27 July, Colchester played out an entertaining 3–3 draw with local rivals Ipswich Town at the Community Stadium. Town took an early lead through Joe Pigott before former Ipswich man Tommy Smith headed the U's level. Former Colchester player Macauley Bonne scored for Ipswich to make it 2–1 but a header from another former Ipswich player Frank Nouble ensured the sides were level at the break. Summer signing Alan Judge put the hosts 3–2 up against his former club, but a late equaliser from Wes Burns ensured the game finished a draw.
The U's played their final friendly game of pre-season on 31 July as they hosted Wealdstone. Noah Chilvers scored for Colchester, but a late penalty scored by Josh Umerah meant the match ended 1–1.

### August

On 2 August, Peterborough United signed midfielder Kwame Poku from Colchester for a "substantial six-figure fee" on a four-year contract.
On 4 August, Colchester confirmed the signing of Fulham forward Sylvester Jasper on loan until January 2022.
Ahead of their season opening game at Carlisle United on 7 August, Colchester signed Newcastle United goalkeeper Jake Turner on loan until January 2022.
Colchester's first game of the season away at Carlisle ended in a 0–0 draw. Luke Chambers, Cameron Coxe, Alan Judge, and Cole Skuse all made their debuts for the club, while Frank Nouble and Freddie Sears both made their third debuts for the U's. Sylvester Jasper made his first appearance for the club off the bench.
On 10 August, Colchester travelled to face Birmingham City in the first round of the EFL Cup. The U's were beaten 1–0 thanks to a deflected goal from Marcel Oakley. Meanwhile, Academy graduate Gene Kennedy made his debut for the club, replacing Cole Skuse after 66-minutes.
On 12 August, young defender Billy Cracknell joined National League South side Concord Rangers on loan until January 2022.
In their first home match of the season with fans back in attendance, Colchester were beaten 1–0 by Northampton Town on 14 August. Jon Guthrie's first-half goal won the match for the visitors, but they did have their captain Fraser Horsfall sent off for deliberate handball in the 84th-minute. Luke Hannant also came off the bench to make his debut for the club.
Ahead of their home match against Mansfield Town on 17 August, Colchester United announced the signing of Charlie Daniels on a one-year deal. He had been on trial at the club.
In the match against Mansfield, Daniels made his debut from the substitutes' bench, the visitors struck first through former U's loanee Elliott Hewitt in the 72nd-minute. However, Freddie Sears scored Colchester's first goal of the season in the fifth minute of added time from the penalty spot after Frank Nouble had been fouled.
Freddie Sears converted his second consecutive penalty kick within the first ten minutes of Colchester's game against Oldham Athletic on 21 August. Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu had been fouled in the penalty area by Oldham's Davis Keillor-Dunn. Just three minutes later, the U's were 2–0 up through a Noah Chilvers goal. Oldham pulled a goal back in the 73rd-minute, but Colchester held on for their first win of the season.
On 21 August, Harvey Sayer joined National League South side Billericay Town in a three-month loan deal.
Colchester drew 1–1 with Rochdale on 27 August. The U's took the lead through a Max Taylor own goal in the first-half, but the hosts equalised through Jimmy Keohane after 61-minutes.
On 31 August, Colchester signed forward Armando Dobra on loan from Ipswich Town until the end of the season.

### September

On 3 September, Colchester announced the signing of young midfielder Chay Cooper from Tottenham Hotspur. Cooper would join Dave Hussey's under-23 squad.
Colchester's home match against Sutton United in League Two scheduled for 4 September was postponed due to a number of positive COVID-19 cases at Sutton, in addition to injuries and international call-ups meaning they could not fulfil the fixture.
Harry Beadle, Armando Dobra, and Jake Turner all made their club debuts in Colchester's 1–0 home defeat by Gillingham in the EFL Trophy on 7 September. Robbie McKenzie's 93rd-minute goal proved the difference between the two sides.
The U's played out an exciting match at Barrow on 10 September. The home side took the lead in the 25th-minute through Jordan Stevens after capitalising on a poor backpass from Tommy Smith. Colchester were level ten minutes later when Alan Judge scored his first goal for the club, tapping in Freddie Sears' low cross. Sears then put his side 2–1 ahead just three minutes later. In the second half, Luke Chambers was sent off for the visitors for a second bookable offence, and then Luke Hannant conceded a penalty eight minutes later from which the hosts scored. Tom Eastman headed in his first goal of the season on 80-minutes to put the U's 3–2 ahead. Barrow then had James Jones sent off for a second booking in quick succession in the 90th-minute, as Colchester held out for victory.
Colchester were defeated 1–0 at home by Crawley Town on 18 September. Jack Payne's 22nd-minute goal separated the two teams.
On 24 September, under-23 side regulars Ted Collins and Sam Cornish joined Maldon & Tiptree on loan.
The U's travelled to Swindon Town on 25 September where they held the hosts to a 0–0 draw.
On 28 September, Colchester hosted West Ham United Under-21s in the EFL Trophy group stage. Armando Dobra's seventh-minute goal, his first for the club, was enough to secure victory for the U's. Chay Cooper also made his first-team debut in the match.

### October

On 2 October, Colchester were beaten 2–0 at home by Salford City. Two goals within the first 25-minutes sealed victory for the visitors, before goalscorer Brandon Thomas-Asante was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 88th-minute.
A second successive defeat followed for Colchester on 8 October when they were beaten 2–0 at Tranmere Rovers.
The U's earned their first league home win of the season on 16 October, beating second placed Harrogate Town 1–0. Sylvester Jasper's first goal for the club in the 88th-minute secured all three points for Colchester.
Colchester secured a late draw at home to Bristol Rovers on 19 October with Noah Chilvers scoring an 88th-minute equaliser after Brett Pitman's second-half opener. Junior Tchamadeu received his first career red card alongside Rovers' Trevor Clarke for violent conduct in the first minute of stoppage time. This followed Cian Harries' dismissal four minutes earlier for a second bookable offence, meaning Rovers finished the match with nine players.
Harvey Sayer joined Southern League Premier Division Central side Needham Market on loan on 21 October following his loan spell at Billericay.
On 23 October, Port Vale beat Colchester 3–0 at Vale Park.
Jake Hutchinson joined National League South side Tonbridge Angels in a month-long loan deal on 26 October.
Colchester were beaten in successive matches following the 3–1 home defeat by Sutton United on 26 October. Freddie Sears had scored his fourth goal of the season in only the second minute of the game, but Sutton soon equalised through David Ajiboye. Sutton were then awarded a penalty after Samson Tovide, starting his first league match for the U's, was sent off for handball in the box. The visitors then took the lead from the spot, before victory was sealed in the 61st minute with a goal from Ben Goodliffe.
On 30 October, Colchester signed Shawn McCoulsky from Forest Green Rovers on a short-term contract having been released from the club in the summer.
Later the same day, the U's recorded a 2–1 victory against bottom club Scunthorpe United. Colchester took a fifth-minute lead through Freddie Sears, scoring his fifth goal of the season. Armando Dobra then doubled the U's advantage with 14 minutes played. Eight minutes from full-time, the visitors scored a consolation goal through Harry Davis.

### November

Colchester opened the FA Cup first round with a local derby against eighth-tier AFC Sudbury on 5 November. The U's took the lead with a close range Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu effort after 35 minutes of play, and doubled their advantage four minutes later through Freddie Sears. Sylvester Jasper scored the goal of the game with a curling effort into the far corner on 71 minutes. Shawn McCoulsky came on to make his club debut and marked the occasion with a goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
The U's drew 0–0 with Ipswich Town on 9 November in their third and final EFL Trophy group match and lost 4–3 following a penalty shoot-out. This meant Colchester finished third in the group and were eliminated from the competition. However the following day it was revealed West Ham Under-21s had been deducted three points for fielding a suspended player. This meant that Colchester would progress to the knockout stages by finishing the group in second place a point behind Ipswich with four points while West Ham were eliminated with three points.
On 20 November, Colchester were beaten 1–0 away at Stevenage. Elliott List's first-half penalty proved the difference between the two sides.
Colchester hosted Exeter City on 23 November who were on a 15-game unbeaten run coming into the match. Sylvester Jasper scored after 12-minutes and Noah Chilvers doubled the U's lead just before half-time. Pádraig Amond's 69th-minute goal brought high-flying Exeter back into the match, but Freddie Sears sealed the win with his seventh goal of the season five minutes later.
On 26 November, defender Billy Cracknell signed for Isthmian League Premier Division side Bishop's Stortford in a month-long loan deal.
Newport County visited the Community Stadium on 26 November. The visitors took the lead through Dom Telford after 36-minutes but Freddie Sears' eighth goal of the campaign with 78-minutes played ensured a point for both teams.
On 30 November, Colchester played Swindon Town in the Southern Section Round 2 of the EFL Trophy away from home where the U's beat them 1–2. Both goals were scored by Luke Chambers in the 6th and 11th minute.

### December

On 5 December, Colchester faced Wigan Athletic in the second round of the FA Cup at home. Wigan opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a goal from Callum Lang. Freddie Sears’ goal from the edge of the box brought the U's back into the match in the 45+1 minute. Callum Lang scored his second of the game in the 74th minute of the game making the final score 1–2 to Wigan, knocking the U's out of the FA Cup.
On 8 December, Colchester faced Bradford City away from home in a goalless draw of 0-0
On 11 December, Colchester fell to a 3–0 defeat at Walsall with a brace from Otis Khan, and a goal from Jack Earling in the 66th minute to finish the U's off
January
On New Years Day, Colchester faced Crawley Town away from home, suffering a 3-1 loss with Freddie Sears scoring the only goal for the U’s

## Players

    As of 30 October 2021
| No. | Name | Position | Place of birth | Date of birth | Apps | Goals | Signed from | Date signed | Fee |
| Goalkeepers |||||||||||
| 1 | Dean Gerken | GK | Southend-on-Sea | (1985-05-22)22 May 1985 (aged 36) | 205 | 0 | Ipswich Town | 13 July 2019 | Free transfer |
| 24 | Jake Turner | GK | Wilmslow | (1999-02-25)25 February 1999 (aged 22) | 0 | 0 | Newcastle United | 7 August 2021 | On loan |
| 29 | Shamal George | GK | Birkenhead | (1998-01-06)6 January 1998 (aged 23) | 18 | 0 | Liverpool | 28 August 2020 | Free transfer |
| 44 | Ted Collins | GK | | | 0 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| Defenders |||||||||||
| 2 | Miles Welch-Hayes | RB | Oxford | (1996-10-25)25 October 1996 (aged 24) | 43 | 1 | Macclesfield Town | 21 February 2020 | Free transfer |
| 3 | Ryan Clampin | LB/LW | Colchester | (1999-01-29)29 January 1999 (aged 22) | 40 | 2 | Academy | 30 May 2018 | Free transfer |
| 4 | Luke Chambers | CB | Kettering | (1985-09-28)28 September 1985 (aged 35) | 0 | 0 | Ipswich Town | 10 June 2021 | Free transfer |
| 5 | Tommy Smith (c) | CB | Macclesfield | (1990-03-31)31 March 1990 (aged 31) | 53 | 2 | Sunderland | 25 August 2020 | Free transfer |
| 18 | Tom Eastman | CB | Colchester | (1991-10-21)21 October 1991 (aged 29) | 411 | 22 | Ipswich Town | 19 May 2011 | Free transfer |
| 22 | Junior Tchamadeu | RB | Redbridge | (2003-12-22)22 December 2003 (aged 17) | 11 | 0 | Academy | 2020 | Free transfer |
| 23 | Charlie Daniels | DF | Harlow | (1986-09-07)7 September 1986 (aged 34) | 0 | 0 | Portsmouth | 17 August 2021 | Free transfer |
| 26 | Lordon Akolbire | DF | | (2003-05-28)28 May 2003 (aged 18) | 0 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| 27 | Cameron Coxe | DF | Merthyr Tydfil | (1998-12-18)18 December 1998 (aged 22) | 0 | 0 | Solihull Moors | 2 July 2021 | Undisclosed |
| 30 | Al-Amin Kazeem | LB | | (2002-04-06)6 April 2002 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| 35 | Billy Cracknell | DF | Brentwood | (2002-01-19)19 January 2002 (aged 19) | 1 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| 36 | Harvey Sayer | LB | Gorleston-on-Sea | (2003-01-06)6 January 2003 (aged 18) | 5 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| 40 | Frankie Terry | CB | | | 0 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| 43 | Harry Beadle | DF | | | 0 | 0 | Charlton Athletic | 4 June 2021 | Free transfer |
| Midfielders |||||||||||
| 6 | Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu | MF | London | (1999-11-07)7 November 1999 (aged 21) | 30 | 1 | Charlton Athletic | 1 February 2021 | Undisclosed |
| 7 | Luke Hannant | MF | Great Yarmouth | (1993-11-04)4 November 1993 (aged 27) | 0 | 0 | Cambridge United | 10 June 2021 | Free transfer |
| 8 | Cole Skuse | DM | Yate | (1986-03-29)29 March 1986 (aged 35) | 0 | 0 | Ipswich Town | 25 May 2021 | Free transfer |
| 10 | Alan Judge | AM | Dublin | (1988-11-11)11 November 1988 (aged 32) | 0 | 0 | Ipswich Town | 18 June 2021 | Free transfer |
| 14 | Noah Chilvers | AM | Chelmsford | (2001-02-22)22 February 2001 (aged 20) | 54 | 3 | Academy | 3 July 2017 | Free transfer |
| 20 | Diogo Freitas Gouveia | MF | | (2001-06-16)16 June 2001 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| 21 | Gene Kennedy | MF | | (2003-04-18)18 April 2003 (aged 18) | 0 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| 25 | Andre Hasanally | MF | Waltham Forest | (2002-02-10)10 February 2002 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| 31 | Donell Thomas | MF | | (2003-08-04)4 August 2003 (aged 17) | 0 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| 33 | Marley Marshall-Miranda | MF | | (2002-10-22)22 October 2002 (aged 18) | 5 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| 37 | Chay Cooper | MF | | (2001-11-17)17 November 2001 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | Tottenham Hotspur | 3 September 2021 | Free transfer |
| 41 | Sam Cornish | MF | Brentwood | (2001-09-26)26 September 2001 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| Forwards |||||||||||
| 9 | Frank Nouble | CF | Lewisham | (1991-09-24)24 September 1991 (aged 29) | 112 | 17 | Plymouth Argyle | 18 June 2021 | Free transfer |
| 11 | Freddie Sears | ST | Hornchurch | (1989-11-27)27 November 1989 (aged 31) | 109 | 36 | Ipswich Town | 15 June 2021 | Free transfer |
| 15 | Shawn McCoulsky | ST | Lewisham | (1997-01-06)6 January 1997 (aged 24) | 0 | 0 | Forest Green Rovers | 30 October 2021 | Free transfer |
| 17 | Sylvester Jasper | FW | Southwark | (2001-09-13)13 September 2001 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | Fulham | 4 August 2021 | On loan |
| 19 | Armando Dobra | WG/AM | Redbridge | (2001-04-14)14 April 2001 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | Ipswich Town | 31 August 2021 | On loan |
| 32 | Jake Hutchinson | CF | Colchester | (2002-05-08)8 May 2002 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| 34 | Samson Tovide | CF | | (2004-01-04)4 January 2004 (aged 17) | 1 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
| 42 | Tom Stagg | CF | Harlow | (2002-09-09)9 September 2002 (aged 18) | 1 | 0 | Academy | | Free transfer |
* 1 2 3 4 Date of signing refers to the date of the player's signing for his second spell with the club
* ↑ Date of signing refers to the date of the player's signing for his third spell with the club

## Transfers and contracts
### In

| Date | Position | Name | From | Fee |
| 25 May 2021 | DM | Cole Skuse | Ipswich Town | Free transfer |
| 4 June 2021 | DF | Harry Beadle | Charlton Athletic | Free transfer |
| 10 June 2021 | CB | Luke Chambers | Ipswich Town | Free transfer |
| 10 June 2021 | MF | Luke Hannant | Cambridge United | Free transfer |
| 15 June 2021 | ST | Freddie Sears | Ipswich Town | Free transfer |
| 18 June 2021 | AM | Alan Judge | Ipswich Town | Free transfer |
| 18 June 2021 | CF | Frank Nouble | Plymouth Argyle | Free transfer |
| 13 August 2021 | WG | Bryan Ifeanyi | Leyton Orient | Free transfer |
| 17 August 2021 | DF | Charlie Daniels | Portsmouth | Free transfer |
| 3 September 2021 | MF | Chay Cooper | Tottenham Hotspur | Free transfer |
| 30 October 2021 | ST | Shawn McCoulsky | Forest Green Rovers | Free transfer |
| 6 January 2022 | DF | Tom Dallison | Crawley Town | Undisclosed |
| 7 January 2022 | DF | Cameron Coxe | Solihull Moors | Undisclosed |
| 15 January 2022 | DM | Emyr Huws | Ipswich Town | Free transfer |
| 27 January 2022 | CF | John Akinde | Gillingham | Free transfer |
| 31 January 2022 | CB | Camron Gbadebo | Manchester City | Undisclosed |
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Officially joined the club on 1 July 2021

### Out

| Date | Position | Name | To | Fee |
| 14 May 2021 | FW | Joshua Bohui | Waltham Abbey | Released |
| 14 May 2021 | AM | Jevani Brown | Exeter City | Released |
| 14 May 2021 | GK | Callum Coulter | Harrow Borough | Released |
| 14 May 2021 | WG | Paris Cowan-Hall | Free agent | Released |
| 14 May 2021 | WG | Luke Gambin | Ħamrun Spartans | Released |
| 14 May 2021 | WG | Callum Harriott | Free agent | Released |
| 14 May 2021 | CM | Tom Lapslie | Torquay United | Released |
| 14 May 2021 | MF | Harry Pell | Accrington Stanley | Released |
| 14 May 2021 | WG | Courtney Senior | Newport County | Released |
| 14 May 2021 | CB | Omar Sowunmi | Bromley | Released |
| 14 May 2021 | MF | Diaz Wright | Free agent | Released |
| 7 June 2021 | MF | Ben Stevenson | Forest Green Rovers | Free transfer |
| 2 August 2021 | MF | Kwame Poku | Peterborough United | Undisclosed |
| 3 January 2022 | ST | Shawn McCoulsky | Maidenhead United | Released |
| 20 January 2022 | LB | Charlie Daniels | Free agent | Mutual consent |
* ↑ Following Joshua Bohui's release by Colchester United, he later signed for Waltham Abbey.'"`UNIQ--ref-000000A8-QINU`"'
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Officially left the club on 1 July 2021
* ↑ Following Jevani Brown's release by Colchester United, he later signed for Exeter City.'"`UNIQ--ref-000000AB-QINU`"'
* ↑ Following Callum Coulter's release by Colchester United, he later signed for Harrow Borough.'"`UNIQ--ref-000000AE-QINU`"'
* ↑ Following Luke Gambin's release by Colchester United, he later signed for Ħamrun Spartans.'"`UNIQ--ref-000000B2-QINU`"'
* ↑ Following Tom Lapslie's release by Colchester United, he later signed for Torquay United.'"`UNIQ--ref-000000B6-QINU`"'
* ↑ Following Courtney Senior's release by Colchester United, he later signed for Newport County.'"`UNIQ--ref-000000BC-QINU`"'
* ↑ Following Omar Sowunmi's release by Colchester United, he later signed for Bromley.'"`UNIQ--ref-000000BF-QINU`"'
* ↑ Following Shawn McCoulsky's release by Colchester United, he later signed for Maidenhead United.'"`UNIQ--ref-000000C6-QINU`"'

### Loans in

| Date | Position | Name | From | End date |
| 2 July 2021 | DF | Cameron Coxe | Solihull Moors | January 2022 |
| 4 August 2021 | FW | Sylvester Jasper | Fulham | January 2022 |
| 7 August 2021 | GK | Jake Turner | Newcastle United | January 2022 |
| 31 August 2021 | WG/AM | Armando Dobra | Ipswich Town | End of season |
| 8 January 2022 | CF | Corie Andrews | AFC Wimbledon | End of season |
| 17 January 2022 | RW | Owura Edwards | Bristol City | End of season |
| 20 January 2022 | LB | Myles Kenlock | Ipswich Town | End of season |
| 31 January 2022 | GK | Sam Hornby | Bradford City | End of season |
| 31 January 2022 | RW | Tyreik Wright | Aston Villa | End of season |

### Loans out

| Date | Position | Name | To | End date |
| 12 August 2021 | DF | Billy Cracknell | Concord Rangers | January 2022 |
| 13 August 2021 | WG | Bryan Ifeanyi | Maldon & Tiptree | |
| 21 August 2021 | LB | Harvey Sayer | Billericay Town | October 2021 |
| 24 September 2021 | GK | Ted Collins | Maldon & Tiptree | |
| 24 September 2021 | MF | Sam Cornish | Maldon & Tiptree | |
| 21 October 2021 | LB | Harvey Sayer | Needham Market | |
| 26 October 2021 | CF | Jake Hutchinson | Tonbridge Angels | 21 November 2021 |
| 26 November 2021 | CB | Billy Cracknell | Bishop's Stortford | 26 December 2021 |
| 31 January 2022 | CF | Frank Nouble | Leyton Orient | End of season |

### Contracts

New contracts and contract extensions.
| Date | Position | Name | Length | Expiry |
| 25 May 2021 | CB | Tom Eastman | 2 years | June 2023 |
| 25 May 2021 | DM | Cole Skuse | 2 years | June 2023 |
| 4 June 2021 | DF | Harry Beadle | 1 year | June 2022 |
| 4 June 2021 | DF | Billy Cracknell | 1 year | June 2022 |
| 7 June 2021 | MF | Sam Cornish | 1 year | June 2022 |
| 10 June 2021 | CB | Luke Chambers | 2 years | June 2023 |
| 10 June 2021 | MF | Luke Hannant | 2 years | June 2023 |
| 11 June 2021 | LB/LW | Ryan Clampin | 2 years | June 2023 |
| 15 June 2021 | ST | Freddie Sears | 2 years | June 2023 |
| 18 June 2021 | AM | Alan Judge | 2 years | June 2023 |
| 18 June 2021 | CF | Frank Nouble | 2 years | June 2023 |
| 5 July 2021 | MF | Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu | 2 years | June 2023 |
| 5 July 2021 | CB | Tommy Smith | 2 years | June 2023 |
| 5 July 2021 | RB | Junior Tchamadeu | 3 years | June 2024 |
| 17 August 2021 | DF | Charlie Daniels | 1 year | June 2022 |

## Match details
### Pre-season friendlies

Colchester United announced they would play friendlies against Billericay Town, Watford, Tottenham Hotspur, Gillingham, Ipswich Town and Wealdstone as part of their pre-season preparations.

### League Two
#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 12 | Crawley Town | 46 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 56 | 66 | −10 | 61 |
| 13 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 62 | 47 | +15 | 58 |
| 14 | Bradford City | 46 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 53 | 55 | −2 | 58 |
| 15 | Colchester United | 46 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 48 | 60 | −12 | 55 |
| 16 | Walsall | 46 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 47 | 60 | −13 | 54 |
| 17 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 44 | 64 | −20 | 54 |
| 18 | Rochdale | 46 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 51 | 59 | −8 | 53 |

#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 7 May 2022. Source: https://www.soccerstats.com/homeaway.asp?league=england4

#### Results round by round

| Matchday | 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 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| Ground | A | H | H | A | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | H | A | H | H | A | A | A | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A |
| Result | D | L | D | W | D | W | L | D | L | L | W | D | L | L | W | L | W | D | D | L | L | L | L | L | W | D | D | W | L | D | L | L | D | D | W | W | L | L | W | W | L | L | W | W | D | W |
| Position | 14 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 15 |

#### Matches

The 2021–22 League Two fixtures were announced on 24 June 2021.

### FA Cup

Colchester were drawn away to AFC Sudbury in the first round and at home to Wigan Athletic in second round.

### EFL Cup

Colchester were drawn away to Birmingham City in the first round of the EFL Cup.

### EFL Trophy

Colchester United were drawn into Southern Group A alongside Gillingham, Ipswich Town and West Ham United U21s. The fixture dates for the group stage ties were announced on 7 July. In the knock-out stages, The U's were drawn away to Sutton United in the third round.
| Pos | Div | Teamvte | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | L1 | Ipswich Town | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 5 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L2 | Colchester United | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 3 | ACA | West Ham United U21 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 | |
| 4 | L1 | Gillingham | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 3 | |
* ↑ West Ham U21 deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player in their match with Gillingham.'"`UNIQ--ref-0000028F-QINU`"'

## Squad statistics
### Appearances and goals

    As of 5 November 2021
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Total | League Two | League Two | FA Cup | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Trophy | EFL Trophy |
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 1 | GK | ENG | Dean Gerken | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | ENG | Miles Welch-Hayes | 8 | 0 | 5+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | ENG | Ryan Clampin | 8 | 0 | 4+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | ENG | Luke Chambers | 21 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | NZL | Tommy Smith | 15 | 0 | 12+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | ENG | Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu | 18 | 1 | 12+1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | ENG | Luke Hannant | 19 | 0 | 10+5 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | ENG | Cole Skuse | 19 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | ENG | Frank Nouble | 21 | 0 | 14+2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | IRL | Alan Judge | 12 | 1 | 9+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 11 | FW | ENG | Freddie Sears | 23 | 8 | 17+1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0+1 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | ENG | Noah Chilvers | 22 | 3 | 11+6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 15 | FW | ENG | Shawn McCoulsky | 4 | 1 | 0+3 | 0 | 0+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | FW | BUL | Sylvester Jasper | 19 | 3 | 9+6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 18 | DF | ENG | Tom Eastman | 19 | 1 | 10+4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 19 | FW | ALB | Armando Dobra | 11 | 2 | 5+3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 21 | MF | ENG | Gene Kennedy | 7 | 0 | 1+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 22 | DF | ENG | Junior Tchamadeu | 9 | 0 | 4+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 23 | DF | ENG | Charlie Daniels | 16 | 0 | 14+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 24 | GK | ENG | Jake Turner | 5 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 27 | DF | WAL | Cameron Coxe | 17 | 0 | 8+5 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 29 | GK | ENG | Shamal George | 18 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | FW | ENG | Samson Tovide | 6 | 0 | 1+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 37 | MF | ENG | Chay Cooper | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 43 | DF | ENG | Harry Beadle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |

### Goalscorers

| Place | Number | Position | Name | League Two | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Trophy | Total |
| 1 | 11 | ST | Freddie Sears | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2 | 14 | AM | Noah Chilvers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | 17 | FW | Sylvester Jasper | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | 19 | WG/AM | Armando Dobra | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 5 | 6 | MF | Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | 10 | AM | Alan Judge | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | 15 | ST | Shawn McCoulsky | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | 18 | CB | Tom Eastman | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| | | | Own goals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| | | | TOTALS | 16 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 21 |

### Disciplinary record

| Number | Position | Player | League Two | League Two | FA Cup | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Trophy | EFL Trophy | Total | Total |
| 6 | MF | Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 4 | CB | Luke Chambers | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 22 | RB | Junior Tchamadeu | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 14 | AM | Noah Chilvers | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 8 | DM | Cole Skuse | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 9 | CF | Frank Nouble | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 17 | FW | Sylvester Jasper | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 34 | CF | Samson Tovide | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | MF | Luke Hannant | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 19 | WG/AM | Armando Dobra | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 27 | DF | Cameron Coxe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 29 | GK | Shamal George | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | LB/LW | Ryan Clampin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | RB | Miles Welch-Hayes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | CB | Tommy Smith | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 18 | CB | Tom Eastman | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 21 | MF | Gene Kennedy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 23 | DF | Charlie Daniels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| | | TOTALS | 34 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 40 | 3 |

### Player debuts

Players making their first-team Colchester United debut in a fully competitive match.
| Number | Position | Player | Date | Opponent | Ground |
| 4 | CB | Luke Chambers | 7 August 2021 | Carlisle United | Brunton Park |
| 8 | DM | Cole Skuse | 7 August 2021 | Carlisle United | Brunton Park |
| 9 | CF | Frank Nouble | 7 August 2021 | Carlisle United | Brunton Park |
| 10 | AM | Alan Judge | 7 August 2021 | Carlisle United | Brunton Park |
| 11 | ST | Freddie Sears | 7 August 2021 | Carlisle United | Brunton Park |
| 17 | FW | Sylvester Jasper | 7 August 2021 | Carlisle United | Brunton Park |
| 27 | DF | Cameron Coxe | 7 August 2021 | Carlisle United | Brunton Park |
| 21 | MF | Gene Kennedy | 10 August 2021 | Birmingham City | St Andrew's |
| 7 | MF | Luke Hannant | 14 August 2021 | Northampton Town | Colchester Community Stadium |
| 23 | DF | Charlie Daniels | 17 August 2021 | Mansfield Town | Colchester Community Stadium |
| 19 | WG/AM | Armando Dobra | 7 September 2021 | Gillingham | Colchester Community Stadium |
| 24 | GK | Jake Turner | 7 September 2021 | Gillingham | Colchester Community Stadium |
| 43 | DF | Harry Beadle | 7 September 2021 | Gillingham | Colchester Community Stadium |
| 37 | MF | Chay Cooper | 28 September 2021 | West Ham United U21 | Colchester Community Stadium |
| 15 | ST | Shawn McCoulsky | 5 November 2021 | AFC Sudbury | King's Marsh |
* 1 2 Third debut for the club.