The 1938–39 season was Colchester United's second season in their history and their second in the Southern League. Alongside competing in the Southern League, the club also participated in the Southern League Mid-Week Section and Southern League Cup. Colchester won the Southern League title after beating local rivals Chelmsford City to the top of the league by one point. They also reached the 1st round of the FA Cup, where they were eliminated by Folkestone, and finished as runners-up to Tunbridge Wells Rangers in the Mid-Week Section. They reached the semi-final of the Southern League Cup, but the competition could not be completed due to fixture congestion.
| 1938–39 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Maurice Pye[1] | |
| Manager | Ted Davis | |
| Stadium | Layer Road | |
| Southern League | Winners | |
| Southern League Mid-Week Section | Runners-up | |
| FA Cup | 1st round (eliminated by Folkestone) | |
| Southern League Cup | Semi-final (competition not completed) | |
| Top goalscorer | League: Arthur Pritchard (34) All: Arthur Pritchard (44) | |
| Highest home attendance | 13,000 (estimate) v Guildford City, 7 April 1939[2] | |
| Lowest home attendance | 4,000 (estimate) v Barry Town, 31 December 1938[3] | |
| Average home league attendance | 8,307[4] | |
| Biggest win | 8–0 v Dartford, 16 March 1939 | |
| Biggest defeat | 0–3 v Cardiff City Reserves, 18 March 1939 | |
|
| ||
Season overview edit
Manager Ted Davis began strengthening his squad ready for a push to reach the Football League over the summer period. The public responded by turning out in force for a game against Gillingham, with 8,142 in attendance, and a week later, a visit from Arsenal 'A' saw 10,129 watch Colchester beat their counterparts 2–0. However, Davis securing a number of high-profile players came at a cost. Many were still contracted to the Football League clubs that they were signed from, meaning that if Colchester were to gain election to the Football League, the club would have very few contracted players.
Colchester made their first FA Cup outing during the 1938–39 season. They saw off Ilford 4–1 at Layer Road, but were defeated in the first round proper by Folkestone, watched by 8,160.
In a very successful season for the club, Colchester claimed the Southern League title by one point over Guildford City, scoring 110 goals in 44 games. They finished second in the Mid-Week Section, and reached the semi-final of the Southern League Cup, although due to fixture congestion, the game could not be played during the regular season and was postponed until the 1939–40 campaign.
Overall, Colchester scored 161 goals, with Arthur Pritchard netting 44 goals, George Wallis 24, and Alec Cheyne and Len Astill scoring 21 apiece.
The case for Football League election was presented to Football League members on 23 May 1938 by club director Walter Clark. With high hopes for election following a successful season, Colchester United failed to secure a single vote from the members, put down to the fact that there were so many League-registered players on the books that Davis had signed for Colchester.
Despite the League setback, the ownership of the Layer Road ground was passed to Colchester Borough Council, with club chairman Maurice Pye declaring:
Every lover of football, will I'm sure, welcome this as a move in the right direction, for whatever happens, this fine open space will always belong to the town, and be for the benefit of Colcestrians and their love of football.[5]
Players edit
- As of match played 6 May 1939.[6]
| Name | Position | Nationality | Place of birth | Date of birth | Apps | Goals | Signed from | Date signed | Fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||||||||||
| Ronnie Dunn | GK |  |
Southall | 24 November 1908 (aged 29) | 51 | 0 | Crystal Palace |
3 July 1937 | Free transfer | ||
| Billy Light | GK | |
Woolston | 11 June 1913 (aged 24) | 0 | 0 | West Bromwich Albion |
17 June 1938 | £1,500 | ||
| Don Youngs | GK | |
7 | 0 | Martlesham RAF |
5 November 1937 | Free transfer | ||||
| Defenders | |||||||||||
| Cecil Allan | LB |  |
Belfast | 1 August 1914 (aged 23) | 0 | 0 | Chelsea |
27 May 1938 | £2,000 | ||
| Jimmy Baker | CB/RH |  |
Trethomas | 5 May 1904 (aged 34) | 31 | 2 | Bristol City |
9 July 1937 | Free transfer | ||
| Joe Birch | LB/RB | |
Hednesford | 6 July 1904 (aged 33) | 0 | 0 | Fulham |
24 June 1938 | £750 | ||
| Syd Fieldus | DF | |
Romford | 27 May 1909 (aged 29) | 21 | 3 | Brentford |
3 July 1937 | Free transfer | ||
| Ian Haley | RB | |
North Bierley | 9 | 0 | Colchester Town |
1 January 1938[a] | Free transfer | |||
| George Leslie | CB | |
Slough | 9 July 1907 (aged 30) | 43 | 0 | Guildford City |
9 July 1937 | Free transfer | ||
| Alf Worton | LB | |
Wolverhampton | 4 April 1914 (aged 24) | 0 | 0 | Norwich City |
3 June 1938 | Free transfer | ||
| Midfielders | |||||||||||
| Robert Morris | LH/RH | |
Hatton | 11 March 1913 (aged 25) | 0 | 0 | Norwich City |
22 July 1938 | £500 | ||
| George Ritchie | LH |  |
Maryhill | 16 January 1904 (aged 34) | 31 | 1 | Leicester City |
12 August 1937 | Free transfer | ||
| George Smith | RH | |
Connah's Quay | 24 | 2 | Bath City |
27 October 1937 | Free transfer | |||
| Forwards | |||||||||||
| Len Astill | IL/OL | |
Wolverhampton | 30 December 1916 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | Ipswich Town |
20 May 1938 | Free transfer | ||
| Alec Cheyne | IH | |
Glasgow | 28 April 1907 (aged 31) | 54 | 35 | Chelsea |
13 August 1937 | £3,000 | ||
| George Crisp | WG | |
Pontypool | 30 June 1911 (aged 26) | 39 | 14 | Newport County |
28 August 1937[a] | Undisclosed | ||
| Jack Hodge | OR | |
Plymouth | 51 | 24 | Luton Town |
13 July 1937 | Free transfer | |||
| Ernie Matthews | CF | |
Chester-le-Street | 8 November 1912 (aged 25) | 0 | 0 | Sheffield Wednesday |
26 May 1938 | £2,500 | ||
| George Merritt | IF | |
Ormskirk | 0 | 0 | Derby County |
30 September 1938 | Free transfer | |||
| Robert Murray | IF | |
Newhaven | 27 March 1915 (aged 23) | 0 | 0 | Bath City |
24 January 1939 | £800 | ||
| Arthur Pritchard | CF | |
Newport | 22 October 1917 (aged 20) | 37 | 29 | Yeovil & Petters United |
28 August 1937[a] | Free transfer | ||
| Ivan Thacker | CF | |
Lowestoft | 4 | 1 | Lowestoft Town |
18 February 1938 | Free transfer | |||
| George Wallis | IF | |
Sawley | 16 | 7 | Bath City |
28 February 1938 | Free transfer | |||
| George Williams | IR/CF | 4 | 0 | Ipswich Town |
17 July 1937 | Free transfer | |||||
Transfers edit
In edit
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 May 1938 | IL/OL |
|
Len Astill | Ipswich Town
|
Free transfer | [7] |
| 26 May 1938 | CF |
|
Ernie Matthews | Sheffield Wednesday
|
£2,500 | [8] |
| 27 May 1938 | LB |
|
Cecil Allan | Chelsea
|
£2,000 | [9] |
| 3 June 1938 | LB |
|
Alf Worton | Norwich City
|
Free transfer | [10] |
| 17 June 1938 | GK |
|
Billy Light | West Bromwich Albion
|
£1,500 | [11] |
| 24 June 1938 | LB/RB |
|
Joe Birch | Fulham
|
£750 | [12] |
| 22 July 1938 | LH/RH |
|
Robert Morris | Norwich City
|
£500 | [13] |
| 30 September 1938 | IF |
|
George Merritt | Derby County
|
Free transfer | [14] |
| 24 January 1939 | IF |
|
Robert Murray | Bath City
|
£800 | [15] |
- Total spending:
~ £8,050
Out edit
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End of season | RB |
|
Cliff Fairchild | Arsenal
|
£500 | [16] |
| 14 May 1938 | LH/RH |
|
Jimmy Collins | Retired | Released | [17] |
| 14 May 1938 | OL |
|
Bill Barraclough | Doncaster Rovers
|
Free transfer | [18] |
| 31 May 1938 | CF/IL |
|
Bill Pendergast | Chester
|
Free transfer | [19] |
| 23 June 1938 | LB | 
|
Alexander Wood | Chelmsford City
|
Free transfer | [20] |
| September 1938 | CF | Albert Bennett | Free agent | Released | [21] | |
| 12 January 1939 | IL/OL |
|
Ken Mayes | Chelmsford City
|
Free transfer | [22] |
- Total incoming:
~ £500
Match details edit
Friendlies edit
| 15 October 1938 Friendly | Colchester United | 4–2 | Fulham Reserves | Colchester |
Astill  3', 18' (pen.)Williams 25' (o.g.)Cheyne |
Report | Conroy 5' Freeman |
Stadium: Layer Road |
| 27 December 1938 Friendly | Colchester United | 2–0 | Charlton Athletic Reserves | Colchester |
| Pritchard 30' Thacker 67' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road |
| 16 October 1937 Friendly (Colchester Challenge Cup Final) | Colchester United | 2–1 | Southend United | Colchester |
| 18:30 | Cheyne 30' Fieldus 85' |
Report | Bolan 60' |
Stadium: Layer Road |
Southern League edit
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GR | Pts | Result[a] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colchester United | 44 | 31 | 5 | 8 | 110 | 37 | 2.973 | 67 | Left league at end of season |
| 2 | Guildford City | 44 | 30 | 6 | 8 | 126 | 52 | 2.423 | 66 | |
| 3 | Gillingham | 44 | 29 | 6 | 9 | 104 | 57 | 1.825 | 64 | Left league at end of season |
| 4 | Plymouth Argyle II | 44 | 26 | 5 | 13 | 128 | 63 | 2.032 | 57 | |
| 5 | Yeovil & Petters United | 44 | 22 | 10 | 12 | 85 | 70 | 1.214 | 54 |
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used up until the 1976-77 season. The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.
Notes:
Rules for classification: The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used up until the 1976-77 season. The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.
Notes:
- ^ Number of goals for and/or against is inaccurate.
Matches edit
| 27 August 1938 1 | Colchester United | 2–0 | Gillingham | Colchester |
| Wallis 35' Matthews 43' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 8,142 |
| 3 September 1938 2 | Colchester United | 2–0 | Arsenal 'A' | Colchester |
| Cheyne 37' Morris 87' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 10,129 |
| 7 September 1938 3 | Dartford | 0–1 | Colchester United | Dartford |
| Report | Cheyne 28' |
Stadium: Watling Street |
| 10 September 1938 4 | Colchester United | 8–1 | Yeovil & Petters United | Colchester |
| Pritchard 14', 18', 29' Morris 34'Wallis 54'Cheyne 54'Gilmour 70' (o.g.)Astill 75' |
Report | Graham 19' |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 7,160 |
| 15 September 1938 5 | Colchester United | 4–0 | Dartford | Colchester |
| Astill 2', 65' (pen.) Pritchard 32', 48' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 6,000 |
| 24 September 1938 6 | Exeter City Reserves | 2–1 | Colchester United | Exeter |
| 15:15 | Bussey 65' Worton 75' (o.g.) |
Report | Pritchard 30' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 2,500 |
| 1 October 1938 7 | Colchester United | 3–2 | Cardiff City Reserves | Colchester |
| 15:15 | Pritchard 80' Wallis |
Report | Turner 40' Birch (o.g.) |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 7,247 Referee: G. Hamilton-Jones |
| 8 October 1938 8 | Aldershot Reserves | 0–1 | Colchester United | Aldershot |
| Report | Crisp 43' |
Stadium: Recreation Ground |
| 13 October 1938 9 | Colchester United | 1–0 | Folkestone | Colchester |
| Pritchard 30' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road |
| 22 October 1938 10 | Cheltenham Town | 2–1 | Colchester United | Cheltenham |
| Prior 15' Leedham |
Report | Pritchard 52' |
Stadium: Whaddon Road Referee: W. Harper |
| 29 October 1938 11 | Colchester United | 3–1 | Bristol Rovers Reserves | Colchester |
| Cheyne 21', 35', 49' |
Report | Kitchen 44' |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 6,000 |
| 5 November 1938 12 | Norwich City Reserves | 1–5 | Colchester United | Norwich |
| 14:45 | O'Reilly 84' |
Report | Pritchard 20', 47', 67' Crisp 41', 87' |
Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 3,005 |
| 19 November 1938 13 | Yeovil & Petters United | 2–1 | Colchester United | Yeovil |
| Graham 3' Green 44' |
Report | Pritchard 87' |
Stadium: Huish Athletic Ground |
| 3 December 1938 14 | Colchester United | 3–1 | Cheltenham Town | Colchester |
| Cheyne 16', 45' Hodge 87' |
Report | Butt 65' |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 5,000 |
| 10 December 1938 15 | Colchester United | 4–0 | Bath City | Colchester |
| Cheyne 2' Matthews 48'Hodge |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road |
| 17 December 1938 16 | Bristol Rovers Reserves | 0–1 | Colchester United | Bristol |
| Report | Wallis 20' |
Stadium: Eastville Stadium |
| 31 December 1938 17 | Colchester United | 5–1 | Barry Town | Colchester |
| Wallis 15', 23', 63' Hodge 76'Pritchard 87' |
Report | James 73' |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 4,000 |
| 7 January 1939 18 | Tunbridge Wells Rangers | 0–2 | Colchester United | Royal Tunbridge Wells |
| 14:45 | Report | Pritchard 55', 65' |
Stadium: Down Farm |
| 14 January 1939 19 | Gillingham | 1–3 | Colchester United | Gillingham |
| Johnson 50' |
Report | Whitelaw 10' (o.g.) Crisp 20'Pritchard 85' |
Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 3,748 Referee: W. Daly |
| 21 January 1939 20 | Colchester United | 7–0 | Newport County Reserves | Colchester |
| Hodge 3' Pritchard 5', 7'Astill 37', 54'Wallis 80', 89' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road |
| 4 February 1939 21 | Colchester United | 3–1 | Swindon Town Reserves | Colchester |
| 15:10 | Astill 3', 66' Morris 71' |
Report | Woodman 63' |
Stadium: Layer Road |
| 11 February 1939 22 | Torquay United Reserves | 0–2 | Colchester United | Torquay |
| Report | Baker 30' Pritchard 89' |
Stadium: Plainmoor |
| 18 February 1939 23 | Colchester United | 2–0 | Aldershot Reserves | Colchester |
| Murray 9' Hodge |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road |
| 25 February 1939 24 | Folkestone | 1–4 | Colchester United | Folkestone |
| Davis |
Report | Pritchard 13', 43' Wallis 15'Astill |
Stadium: Cheriton Road |
| 2 March 1939 25 | Colchester United | 6–1 | Exeter City Reserves | Colchester |
| Pritchard 25', 28', 58' Astill 31', 56'Murray 35' |
Report | Bussey 86' |
Stadium: Layer Road |
| 4 March 1939 26 | Plymouth Argyle Reserves | 0–3 | Colchester United | Plymouth |
| Report | Pritchard 18' Murray 30'Hodge 67' |
Stadium: Home Park Attendance: 5,200 |
| 11 March 1939 27 | Swindon Town Reserves | 2–1 | Colchester United | Swindon |
| Woolhouse 72' Woodman |
Report | Pritchard 85' |
Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 5,000 |
| 18 March 1939 28 | Cardiff City Reserves | 3–0 | Colchester United | Cardiff |
| Prescott 1' Court 39', 42' |
Report | Stadium: Ninian Park |
| 25 March 1939 29 | Newport County Reserves | 0–1 | Colchester United | Newport |
| Report | Cheyne 80' |
Stadium: Somerton Park |
| 29 March 1939 30 | Arsenal 'A' | 0–0 | Colchester United | Enfield |
| Report | Stadium: Enfield Stadium |
| 30 March 1939 31 | Colchester United | 1–1 | Tunbridge Wells Rangers | Colchester |
| Murray 67' |
Report | Wood 25' |
Stadium: Layer Road |
| 1 April 1939 32 | Colchester United | 5–1 | Torquay United Reserves | Colchester |
| 15:15 | Pritchard 36', 38', 55' Crisp 43'Cheyne 61' |
Report | Dyer 15' |
Stadium: Layer Road |
| 7 April 1939 33 | Colchester United | 1–0 | Guildford City | Colchester |
| Pritchard 50' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 13,000 |
| 8 April 1939 34 | Colchester United | 1–1 | Worcester City | Colchester |
| Pritchard 14' |
Report | Melaniphy 75' |
Stadium: Layer Road |
| 10 April 1939 35 | Guildford City | 3–1 | Colchester United | Guildford |
| J. Brown 27' McPheat 53'R. Brown 68' |
Report | Crisp 18' |
Stadium: St Joseph's Road Attendance: 10,000 |
| 11 April 1939 36 | Colchester United | 5–1 | Norwich City Reserves | Colchester |
| Cheyne 8' Wallis 35' Hodge |
Report | Johnson |
Stadium: Layer Road |
| 15 April 1939 37 | Barry Town | 0–2 | Colchester United | Barry |
| Report | Crisp 12' Matthews |
Stadium: Jenner Park Stadium |
| 20 April 1939 38 | Bath City | 0–3 | Colchester United | Bath |
| Report | Hodge 25' Pritchard |
Stadium: Twerton Park |
| 22 April 1939 39 | Colchester United | 2–3 | Plymouth Argyle Reserves | Colchester |
| Cheyne 20' Pritchard 22' |
Report | Chitty 4', 46' Olver 72' |
Stadium: Layer Road |
| 24 April 1939 40 | Chelmsford City | 0–0 | Colchester United | Chelmsford |
| Report | Stadium: New Writtle Street Attendance: 7,000 |
| 27 April 1939 41 | Worcester City | 1–0 | Colchester United | Worcester |
| Burns 80' |
Report | Stadium: St George's Lane |
| 29 April 1939 42 | Colchester United | 4–0 | Ipswich Town Reserves | Colchester |
| 15:15 | Hodge 28' Wallis 33', 55'Birch 70' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road |
| 1 May 1939 43 | Colchester United | 2–2 | Chelmsford City | Colchester |
| Astill 32' Morris 88' |
Report | Palethorpe 13' Wright 70' |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 5,000 |
| 6 May 1939 44 | Ipswich Town Reserves | 2–3 | Colchester United | Ipswich |
| Lawrence 26' O'Leary 72' |
Report | Cheyne 20' Wallis 21'Astill 82' |
Stadium: Portman Road Attendance: 12,000 |
Southern League Mid-Week Section edit
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GR | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tunbridge Wells Rangers (C) | 16 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 37 | 18 | 2.056 | 23 | Southern League Midweek Section champions |
| 2 | Colchester United | 16 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 36 | 21 | 1.714 | 20 | |
| 3 | Norwich City Reserves | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 40 | 26 | 1.538 | 18 | |
| 4 | Millwall Reserves | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 23 | 1.435 | 18 | |
| 5 | Portsmouth 'A' | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 21 | 29 | 0.724 | 14 |
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Number of goals scored. The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used up until the 1976–77 season. The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.
(C) Champions
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Number of goals scored. The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used up until the 1976–77 season. The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.
(C) Champions
Matches edit
| 22 September 1938 1 | Norwich City Reserves | 0–2 | Colchester United | Norwich |
| Report | Astill 9' Cassidy 43' (o.g.) |
Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 2,505 |
| 28 September 1938 2 | Folkestone | 1–2 | Colchester United | Folkestone |
| Appleby 32' |
Report | Hodge 5' Pritchard 53' |
Stadium: Cheriton Road Referee: J. Farmer |
| 6 October 1938 3 | Colchester United | 2–2 | Tunbridge Wells Rangers | Colchester |
| Wallis 27' Astill 29' |
Report | Wood 31' Grainger 63' |
Stadium: Layer Road |
| 20 October 1938 4 | Colchester United | 4–1 | Portsmouth 'A' | Colchester |
| Cheyne 60', 83', 89' Thacker |
Report | Jepson 80' |
Stadium: Layer Road |
| 27 October 1938 5 | Colchester United | 1–3 | Aldershot Reserves | Colchester |
| Smith 42' |
Report | Turner 3', 86' Gray 32' |
Stadium: Layer Road |
| 14 December 1938 6 | Aldershot Reserves | 1–2 | Colchester United | Aldershot |
| Curtis 25' |
Report | Matthews 34' Hodge 68' |
Stadium: Recreation Ground |
| 9 January 1939 7 | Millwall Reserves | 1–2 | Colchester United | Millwall |
| Daniels 10' |
Report | Crisp 48' Pritchard 65' |
Stadium: The Den |
| 2 February 1939 8 | Colchester United | 3–1 | Folkestone | Colchester |
| Wallis 10', 42' Astill 88' |
Report | Birch 49' (o.g.) |
Stadium: Layer Road |
| 8 February 1939 9 | Guildford City | 1–0 | Colchester United | Guildford |
| Woolf 47' |
Report | Stadium: St Joseph's Road Attendance: 750 |
| 15 February 1939 10 | Tunbridge Wells Rangers | 2–1 | Colchester United | Royal Tunbridge Wells |
| Archibald 57' Robinson 80' |
Report | Pritchard 18' |
Stadium: Down Farm |
| 23 February 1939 11 | Colchester United | 3–0 | Guildford City | Colchester |
| Morris 30' Cheyne 78'Astill 88' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road |
| 16 March 1939 12 | Colchester United | 8–0 | Dartford | Colchester |
| Hodge 2' Cheyne 34'Murray 49'Wallis 65'Pritchard 75', 80'Crisp 89' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road |
| 22 March 1939 13 | Portsmouth 'A' | 1–0 | Colchester United | Portsmouth |
| Candy 49' |
Report | Stadium: Fratton Park |
| 23 March 1939 14 | Colchester United | 2–1 | Millwall Reserves | Colchester |
| Astill |
Report | Walsh 15' |
Stadium: Layer Road |
| 2 May 1939 15 | Dartford | 2–2 | Colchester United | Dartford |
| Heathcote 30' Kitchener |
Report | Pritchard 6' Wallis 85' |
Stadium: Watling Street |
| 4 May 1939 16 | Colchester United | 2–4 | Norwich City Reserves | Colchester |
| Murray 64' Wallis 89' |
Report | Bates 5', 15' Maskell 25' |
Stadium: Layer Road |
Southern League Cup edit
| 17 September 1938 1st round | Colchester United | 5–0 | Ipswich Town Reserves | Colchester |
| 15:15 | Hodge 17' Cheyne 19'Pritchard 65'Astill 71', 84' |
Report | Shufflebottom  60' |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 10,000 Referee: S. Flaxman |
| 28 January 1939 2nd round | Colchester United | 3–1 | Arsenal 'A' | Colchester |
| 15:00 | Wallis 4' Astill 21'Pritchard 72' |
Report | Bremner 20' |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 10,000 |
| 13 April 1939 3rd round | Colchester United | 2–0 | Folkestone | Colchester |
| Cheyne 6' Pritchard 75' |
Report | Stadium: Layer Road |
FA Cup edit
| 12 November 1938 4th qualifying round | Colchester United | 4–1 | Ilford | Colchester |
| 14:30 | Pritchard 15' Wallis 53'Crisp 60'Hodge 69' |
Report | Robinson 48' |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 6,100 |
| 26 November 1938 1st round | Folkestone | 2–1 | Colchester United | Folkestone |
| Ashley 76' Birch (o.g.) |
Report | Leslie 87' |
Stadium: Cheriton Road Attendance: 4,700 |
Squad statistics edit
Appearances and goals edit
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Southern League | FA Cup | Southern League Mid-Week Section |
Southern League Cup | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| GK | ENG
|
Ronnie Dunn | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| GK | ENG
|
Billy Light | 42 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| GK | ENG
|
Don Youngs | 20 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| DF |  NIR
|
Cecil Allan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| DF | WAL
|
Jimmy Baker | 21 | 1 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Joe Birch | 62 | 1 | 44 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Syd Fieldus | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Ian Haley | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
George Leslie | 58 | 1 | 40 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Alf Worton | 64 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG
|
Robert Morris | 65 | 5 | 44 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| MF | SCO
|
George Ritchie | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| MF | WAL
|
George Smith | 36 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| FW | ENG
|
Len Astill | 41 | 21 | 27 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 3 | |
| FW | SCO
|
Alec Cheyne | 40 | 21 | 29 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| FW | WAL
|
George Crisp | 31 | 11 | 20 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| FW | ENG
|
Jack Hodge | 60 | 17 | 42 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| FW | ENG
|
Ernie Matthews | 7 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| FW | ENG
|
George Merritt | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| FW | SCO
|
Robert Murray | 29 | 6 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| FW | WAL
|
Arthur Pritchard | 59 | 44 | 40 | 34 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 3 | |
| FW | ENG
|
Ivan Thacker | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| FW | ENG
|
George Wallis | 63 | 24 | 43 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 1 | |
| Players who appeared for Colchester who left during the season | |||||||||||||
| FW | ENG
|
Ken Mayes | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Goalscorers edit
| Place | Nationality | Position | Name | Southern League | FA Cup | SL Mid-Week Section | Southern League Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
CF | Arthur Pritchard | 34 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 44 |
| 2 |
|
IF | George Wallis | 16 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 24 |
| 3 |
|
IL/OL | Len Astill | 12 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 21 |
|
|
IH | Alec Cheyne | 14 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 21 | |
| 5 |
|
OR | Jack Hodge | 12 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 17 |
| 6 |
|
WG | George Crisp | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| 7 |
|
IF | Robert Murray | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 8 |
|
LH/RH | Robert Morris | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 9 |
|
CF | Ernie Matthews | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 |
|
CB/RH | Jimmy Baker | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
|
LB/RB | Joe Birch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
|
|
CB | George Leslie | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
|
|
RH | George Smith | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
|
|
CF | Ivan Thacker | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Own goals | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |||
| TOTALS | 110 | 5 | 36 | 10 | 161 | |||
Captains edit
Number of games played as team captain.[24]
| Place | Nationality | Position | Player | Southern League | FA Cup | SL Mid-Week Section | Southern League Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
CB | George Leslie | 38 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 54 |
Not recorded
|
6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 11 | |||
| TOTALS | 44 | 2 | 16 | 3 | 65 | |||
Clean sheets edit
Number of games goalkeepers kept a clean sheet.[25]
| Place | Nationality | Player | Southern League | FA Cup | SL Mid-Week Section | Southern League Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Billy Light | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 16 |
| 2 |
|
Don Youngs | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| 3 |
|
Ronnie Dunn | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TOTALS | 20 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 25 | ||
Player debuts edit
Players making their first-team Colchester United debut in a fully competitive match.[26]
| Position | Nationality | Player | Date | Opponent | Ground | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK |
|
Billy Light | 28 August 1938 | Gillingham | Layer Road | |
| LB/RB |
|
Joe Birch | 28 August 1938 | Gillingham | Layer Road | |
| LH/RH |
|
Robert Morris | 28 August 1938 | Gillingham | Layer Road | |
| LB |
|
Alf Worton | 28 August 1938 | Gillingham | Layer Road | |
| IL/OL |
|
Len Astill | 28 August 1938 | Gillingham | Layer Road | |
| CF |
|
Ernie Matthews | 28 August 1938 | Gillingham | Layer Road | |
| LB |
|
Cecil Allan | 22 September 1938 | Norwich City Reserves | Carrow Road | |
| IF |
|
George Merritt | 8 October 1938 | Aldershot Reserves | Recreation Ground | |
| IF |
|
Robert Murray | 2 February 1939 | Folkestone | Layer Road |
See also edit
References edit
General edit
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.
Specific edit
- ^ 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 1–0 Guildford City". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ "Colchester Utd 5–1 Barry". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ "Average Attendance Figures Per Season". Coludaybyday.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ Hudson, Matt (11 August 2013). "The 1930s and 1940s". Colchester United FC. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Appearances". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ "Len Astill". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Ernie Matthews". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Cecil Allan". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Alf Worton". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Bill Light". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Joe Birch". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Robert Morris". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "George Merritt". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Bob Murray". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Cliff Fairchild". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Jimmy Collins". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Bill Barraclough". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Will Pendergast". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Alex Wood". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Albert Bennett". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- ^ "Kenny Mayes". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ a b "Goals". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
- ^ "All matches". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ "Clean sheets (1st team)". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
- ^ "Alltime- List of Debuts". Coludaybyday.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.