2025–26 Colchester United F.C. season

Colchester United
2025–26 season
ChairmanRobbie Cowling
Head CoachDanny Cowley
StadiumColchester Community Stadium

The 2025–26 season is the 89th season in the history of Colchester United Football Club and their tenth consecutive season in League Two. In addition to the domestic league, the club would also participate in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the EFL Trophy.

Transfers and contracts

In

Date Pos. Player From Fee Ref.
CF Jaden Williams Tottenham Hotspur Free [1]
1 July 2025 DM Dominic Gape Shrewsbury Town [2]
CB Jack Tucker Milton Keynes Dons [3]
9 July 2025 CM Ben Perry Nottingham Forest Undisclosed [4]
11 July 2025 CF Makise Evans Stevenage Free [5]
26 July 2025 LB Kurai Musanhi Crystal Palace [6]
1 August 2025 LW Adrian Akande Reading [7]
7 August 2025 CB Jack Baldwin Northampton Town [8]

Out

Date Pos. Player To Fee Ref.
8 July 2025 CB Ben Goodliffe Southend United Undisclosed [9][10]
26 August 2025 RW Oscar Thorn Lincoln City Undisclosed [11]

Loaned in

Date Pos. Player From Date until Ref.
9 July 2025 CF Will Goodwin Oxford United 31 May 2026 [12]
6 August 2025 LB Josh Powell Nottingham Forest [13]
29 August 2025 CB Harvey Araujo Fulham [14]
1 September 2025 CF Micah Mbick Charlton Athletic [15]

Loaned out

Date Pos. Player To Date until Ref.
8 August 2025 CB Samuel Kuffour Jr. Hornchurch 26 September 2025[a] [16][17]
CB Frankie Terry Braintree Town 11 December 2025[b] [18][19]
26 September 2025 CB Frankie Edwards Hornchurch 23 October 2025 [20]
CDM Max Jolliffe Billericay Town [21]
23 October 2025 CDM Yeovil Town 31 May 2026 [22]
6 December 2025 CDM Ronnie Harvey Chelmsford City 3 January 2026 [23]
20 December 2025 LW Dwayne Campina Do Vale Carshalton Athletic 17 January 2026 [24]
CF Makise Evans Bishop's Stortford [25]
RW Owen Moore Concord Rangers [24]
CB Herbie Shaw Takeley [24]
24 December 2025 CB Fela Abidekun Grays Athletic 21 January 2026 [26]
CDM Daniel Banjoko White Ensign [26]
CF Leo Makatta Heybridge Swifts [26]
CF James Sasere Grays Athletic [26]
GK Jack Sexton White Ensign [26]
  1. ^ On 26 September, Kuffour Jr. was recalled back from his half-season loan at Hornchurch.
  2. ^ On 11 December, Terry was recalled back from his loan at Braintree

Released / Out of Contract

Date Pos. Player Subsequent club Join date Ref.
30 June 2025 CB Fiacre Kelleher Cork City 1 July 2025 [27]
CM Alfie Bendle Spalding United August 2025 [28]
CF Oliver Godziemski [28]
RW Hakeem Sandah Farnborough 9 August 2025 [29]
CF Lyle Taylor Chelmsford City 7 August 2025 [30]

New Contract

Date Pos. Player Contract until Ref.
24 June 2025 RB Elkanah Akor 30 June 2026[a][b] [31]
CB Alfie Newby [32]
AM Kai Martin [33]
8 July 2025 CB Tom Flanagan 30 June 2026 [34]
26 July 2025 LW Kaion Lisbie Undisclosed[a] [35]
31 July 2025 CB Frankie Terry 30 June 2027 [36]
1 August 2025 RB Kane Vincent-Young 30 June 2026 [37]
  1. ^ a b First professional contract
  2. ^ Club option for a further year

Pre-season and friendlies

On 12 June, Colchester United announced two pre-season fixtures, against Maldon & Tiptree and Dagenham & Redbridge.[38] Five days later, a third friendly was confirmed against Peterborough United.[39]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

12 July 2025 Friendly Maldon & Tiptree 0–3 Colchester United Maldon
15:00 BST Report
  • Bishop 19'
  • Edwards 41'
  • Anderson 87'
Stadium: Park Drive
15 July 2025 Friendly Luton Town 4-1 Colchester United Luton
Report Stadium: The Brache (Luton Training Ground)
Attendance: 0
Note: 2 x 60 minute games
22 July 2025 Friendly Dagenham & Redbridge 0-5 Colchester United Dagenham
19:30 BST
Stadium: Victoria Road
25 July 2025 Friendly Colchester United 2–2 Peterborough United Colchester
19:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
29 July 2025 Friendly Ipswich Town 0–1 Colchester United Rushmere St Andrew
13:00 BST Report
Stadium: Playford Road
Attendance: 0 (behind-closed-doors)

Competitions

League Two

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
9 Fleetwood Town 21 9 6 6 32 28 +4 33
10 Crewe Alexandra 21 9 5 7 34 28 +6 32
11 Colchester United 21 8 7 6 35 26 +9 31
12 Gillingham 21 7 9 5 29 24 +5 30
13 Barnet 21 7 7 7 28 25 +3 28
Updated to match(es) played on 20 December 2025. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[40]

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
21 8 7 6 35 26  +9 31 4 4 3 19 13  +6 4 3 3 16 13  +3

Last updated: 20 December 2025.
Source: Soccerway

Results by round

Round123456789101112131415161718192021
GroundHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAH
ResultDDWLLDDLDLWWWDLWWWDLW
Position9151014171716192020191614141614131091211
Points12555677881114171818212427282831
Source: EFL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed

Matches

On 26 June the League Two fixtures were revealed.[41]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

2 August 2025 1 Colchester United 1–1 Tranmere Rovers Colchester
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 5,981
Referee: David Rock
9 August 2025 2 Oldham Athletic 1–1 Colchester United Oldham
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 7,799
Referee: Craig Hicks
16 August 2025 3 Shrewsbury Town 0–2 Colchester United Shrewsbury
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: New Meadow
Referee: Michael Barlow
19 August 2025 4 Colchester United 1–2 Cambridge United Colchester
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 6,834
Referee: Richard Eley
23 August 2025 5 Colchester United 0–2 Barrow Colchester
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,512
Referee: Aaron Bannister
30 August 2025 6 Barnet 1–1 Colchester United Edgware
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: The Hive Stadium
Attendance: 3,098
Referee: Tom Reeves
6 September 2025 7 Colchester United 1–1 Crewe Alexandra Colchester
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,572
Referee: Greg Rollason
13 September 2025 8 Accrington Stanley 1–0 Colchester United Accrington
12:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Crown Ground
Attendance: 2,107 (199 U's fans)
Referee: Martin Coy
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved live Sky Sports broadcasting.[42]
20 September 2025 9 Colchester United 1–1 Bristol Rovers Colchester
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 5,050
Referee: Abigail Byrne
27 September 2025 10 Fleetwood Town 4–2 Colchester United Fleetwood
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Highbury Stadium
Attendance: 2,298 (151 away fans)
Referee: Edward Duckworth
4 October 2026 11 Colchester United 6–2 Chesterfield Colchester
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,879
Referee: Lee Swabey
11 October 2025 12 Grimsby Town 1–2 Colchester United Cleethorpes
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Blundell Park
Referee: James Bell
18 October 2025 13 Colchester United 3–1 Harrogate Town Colchester
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,913
Referee: Seb Stockbrige
25 October 2025 14 Swindon Town 0–0 Colchester United Swindon
15:00 BST Report Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 8,542
Referee: Leigh Doughty
8 November 2025 15 Colchester United 0–2 Bromley Colchester
12:30 GMT
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 5,169
Referee: Andrew Humphries
15 November 2025 16 Walsall 0–2 Colchester United Bescot
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 6,251
Referee: James Durkin
22 November 2025 17 Notts County 1–3 Colchester United Nottingham
15:00 GMT Report
Stadium: Meadow Lane
Attendance: 9,477
Referee: Simon Mather
29 November 2025 18 Colchester United 2–0 Cheltenham Town Colchester
15:00 GMT
Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,684
Referee: Elliott Bell
6 December 2025 19 Colchester United 0–0 Gillingham Colchester
12:30 GMT
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,832
Referee: Oliver Mackey
Note: Fixture was initially scheduled for 9 December, but both clubs were in agreement to bring it forward as both were knocked out of the FA Cup.[43]
13 December 2025 20 Salford City 4–3 Colchester United Kersal
12:30 GMT
Report
Stadium: Moor Lane
Attendance: 2,536
Referee: Scott Oldham
20 December 2025 21 Colchester United 4–1 Newport County Colchester
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 4,717
Referee: Harry Wager

FA Cup

Colchester were drawn at home to Milton Keynes Dons in the first round.[44]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

1 November 2025 First round Colchester United 2–3 Milton Keynes Dons Colchester
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,639
Referee: Abigail Byrne

EFL Cup

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

12 August 2025 First round Oxford United 1–0 Colchester United Littlemore
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 3,452
Referee: Jacob Miles

EFL Trophy

Colchester were drawn against Gillingham, Wycombe Wanderers and Fulham U21 in the group stage.[45] After winning the group, The U's were drawn at home to West Ham United U21 in the round of 32.[46][47]

Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 L2 Colchester United (A) 3 3 0 0 0 6 2 +4 9 Advance to Round 2
2 L1 Wycombe Wanderers (A) 3 2 0 0 1 7 3 +4 6
3 L2 Gillingham (E) 3 1 0 0 2 5 6 −1 3
4 ACA Fulham U21 (E) 3 0 0 0 3 2 9 −7 0
Updated to match(es) played on 11 November 2025. Source: EFL
(A) Advance to next round; (E) Eliminated

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

2 September 2025 Group G Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Colchester United High Wycombe
19:00 BST Williams, Tucker Stadium: Adams Park
7 October 2025 Group G Colchester United 2–1 Gillingam Colchester
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 1,467
Referee: Carl Brook
11 November 2025 Group G Colchester United 2–0 Fulham U21 Colchester
19:45 GMT
Report
  • White  57'
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 1,061
Referee: Isaac Searle
9 December 2025 Round of 32 Colchester United 0–1 West Ham United U21 Colchester
19:45 GMT
  • Harvey  38'
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,913
Referee: Richie Watkins

Statistics

Appearances and goals

As of match played 20 December 2025

Players with no appearances are not included on the list

No. Pos Nat Player Total League Two FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK  ENG Matt Macey 22 0 20+0 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
2 DF  ENG Rob Hunt 21 0 11+6 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 3+1 0
3 DF  ENG Ellis Iandolo 12 1 11+0 1 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
4 MF  ENG Ben Perry 4 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
5 DF  ENG Jack Tucker 27 4 21+0 2 1+0 0 1+0 0 2+2 2
6 DF  NIR Tom Flanagan 11 0 9+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 1+0 0
7 FW  ENG Harry Anderson 20 8 17+0 7 1+0 1 0+0 0 0+2 0
8 MF  ENG Teddy Bishop 21 0 18+1 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
9 FW  ENG Samson Tovide 24 4 13+6 3 0+1 0 0+1 0 1+2 1
10 MF  ENG Jack Payne 17 5 12+2 5 0+0 0 1+0 0 2+0 0
11 FW  ENG John-Kymani Gordon 14 0 2+8 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 3+0 0
12 GK  ENG Tom Smith 7 0 1+2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 4+0 0
14 FW  ENG Kyreece Lisbie 27 8 14+7 8 1+0 0 0+1 0 2+2 0
15 MF  ENG Dominic Gape 8 0 1+5 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
16 MF  ENG Arthur Read 27 3 18+3 2 1+0 0 1+0 0 0+4 1
17 FW  ENG Jaden Williams 22 1 2+14 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 4+0 1
19 FW  ENG Will Goodwin 9 1 1+6 1 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
20 DF  ENG Jack Baldwin 3 0 1+1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
21 FW  ENG Owura Edwards 21 0 7+9 0 0+1 0 0+1 0 2+1 0
23 FW  NGA Adrian Akande 8 0 1+5 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 1+0 0
24 DF  ENG Harvey Araujo 18 0 14+1 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 1+1 0
26 DF  ENG Josh Powell 14 0 6+3 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 4+0 0
30 DF  GRN Kane Vincent-Young 20 0 14+3 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 1+0 0
33 FW  ENG Micah Mbick 18 8 12+3 6 1+0 1 0+0 0 0+2 1
34 FW  ENG Kaion Lisbie 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
40 DF  ENG Frankie Terry 1 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
42 MF  ENG Milton Oni 2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+1 0
44 DF  GHA Samuel Kuffour Jr. 4 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 3+0 0
47 MF  ENG Ronnie Harvey 5 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 3+0 0
Player(s) who featured but departed the club permanently during the season:
18 FW  ENG Oscar Thorn 5 0 2+2 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0

References

  1. ^ "U's Sign Williams". Colchester United FC. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  2. ^ "U's Sign Gape". Colchester United FC. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  3. ^ "U's Sign Tucker". Colchester United FC. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  4. ^ "U's Sign Perry". Colchester United FC. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  5. ^ "Evans Signs Pro Deal". Colchester United FC. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  6. ^ "Musanhi Signs Pro Deal". Colchester United FC. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  7. ^ "U's Snap Up Akande". Colchester United FC. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  8. ^ "U's Grab Jack Baldwin". Colchester United FC. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Goodliffe Departs". Colchester United FC. 8 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Ben Goodliffe Signs Permanent Deal As A Shrimper". Southend United FC. 8 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Oscar Off To Lincoln". Colchester United FC. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  12. ^ "U's Sign Goodwin". Colchester United FC. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  13. ^ "U's Take Powell On Loan". Colchester United FC. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  14. ^ "U's Sign Araujo". Colchester United FC. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  15. ^ "U's Grab Mbick On Loan". Colchester United FC. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  16. ^ "Kuffour Jnr Joins Hornchurch On Loan". Colchester United FC. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  17. ^ @ColU_Official (26 September 2025). "Samuel Kuffour Jr has been recalled from his loan at Hornchurch" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 September 2025 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ "Terry Joins Braintree On Loan". Colchester United FC. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  19. ^ @ColU_Official (11 December 2025). "We can confirm that Frankie Terry has been recalled from his loan spell with Braintree Town in the National League" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 December 2025 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ @ColU_Official (26 September 2025). "Frankie Edwards has joined Hornchurch on loan" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 September 2025 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ @ColU_Official (26 September 2025). "Max Jolliffe has joined Billericay Town on a month-long loan" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 September 2025 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ @ColU_Official (23 October 2025). "Max Jolliffe has been recalled from Billericay Town and will now join National League side Yeovil Town for the remainder of the season" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 October 2025 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ "Ronnie Harvey is a Claret". Chelmsford City FC. 6 December 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  24. ^ a b c @ColU_Official (20 December 2025). "We can confirm that three of our second-year scholars have gone out on short-term loans" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. ^ @ColU_Official (20 December 2025). "We can confirm that Makise Evans has joined Bishop's Stortford on a one-month loan" (Tweet). Retrieved 20 December 2025 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ a b c d e @ColU_Official (24 December 2025). "We can confirm that a further five of our Under-18s have gone out on short-term loans over the festive period" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 December 2025 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ @ColU_Official (12 June 2025). "The club would like to wish Fiacre Kelleher all the best as he returns home to join Cork City" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 June 2025 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ a b "Retained List Summer 2025". Colchester United FC. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  29. ^ Lloyd, Dom (9 August 2025). "Sandah added to Boro squad". www.farnboroughfc.co.uk. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  30. ^ https://chelmsfordcityfc.com/lyle-taylor-is-a-claret/
  31. ^ "Akor Signs Pro Deal". Colchester United FC. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  32. ^ "Newby Signs Pro Deal". Colchester United FC. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  33. ^ "Martin Signs Pro Deal". Colchester United FC. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  34. ^ "Flanagan Extends U's Stay". Colchester United FC. 8 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  35. ^ "Lisbie Signs Pro Deal". Colchester United FC. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  36. ^ "Terry Signs New U's Deal". Colchester United FC. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  37. ^ "KVY Pens New U's Deal". Colchester United FC. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  38. ^ "Pre-Season News". Colchester United FC. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  39. ^ "Pre-Season News | Peterborough". Colchester United FC. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  40. ^ "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". EFL. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  41. ^ "League Two 2025/26 fixtures, dates, schedule & how to watch: Barnet host Fleetwood in opening day clash live on Sky". Sky Sports. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  42. ^ "Accrington Game Live On Sky". Colchester United FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  43. ^ "Gillingham Game Moved To December 6th". Colchester United FC. 5 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  44. ^ "U's To Take On MK Dons In FA Cup". Colchester United FC. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  45. ^ "Under-21 teams and Group Stage draw confirmed for 2025/26 Vertu Trophy". English Football League. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  46. ^ "U's To Face West Ham In Vertu Trophy". Colchester United FC. 13 November 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  47. ^ @ColU_Official (19 November 2025). "Our Vertu Trophy Round of 32 clash with West Ham U21s has been confirmed for Tuesday 9th December" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 November 2025 – via Twitter.