Football Season Guide

It was second time lucky for head coach Wayne Brown, who guided Colchester United to safety in his second spell as interim boss. His first spell was something a disaster but he made a better fist of it this time around. The appalling form of Oldham Athletic and Scunthorpe United did play a significant part in their eventual survival but Brown did enough to persuade owner Robbie Cowling to make his appointment permanent this summer. There isn’t a great deal of cause for optimism heading into the new campaign however with influential midfielder Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu having joined Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee. There are rumours goalkeeper Shamal George could be on the move too with interest from Scottish Premiership side Livingston. Goalkeeper Sam Hornby has returned on a permanent deal from Bradford City following a loan spell last season, whilst the only other additions to date are wingers Alex Newby and Ossama Ashley, formerly of Rochdale and West Ham United respectively. The Colchester Community Stadium resembled an Ipswich Town retirement home with half-a-dozen former Tractor Boys regulars in the side. They are now a year older and struggled to make any real impact last season, with the exception of striker Freddie Sears. It was a volte-face of a policy with Cowling claiming he wanted more youngsters in the side just two years ago. Brown has plenty of work to do before the transfer window closes if the U’s are not face another battle to retain their Football League status.