1939–40 Colchester United F.C. season
Encyclopedia
The 1939–40 season was Colchester United's
third season in the Southern Football League
, although the season ended prematurely on 2 September 1939 due to the outbreak of World War Two, although Colchester did play some friendlies during this time. The clubs next full season did not occur until 1945–46.
. But after just three Southern League
games, War was declared and, as with Colchester Town
during World War I, the club closed down and Layer Road
was denied the chance to earn League football after considerable momentum had been made.
United continued to play friendly matches against local opposition up until December 1939, with the Army Fire Fighting Corp taking over the ground for drill practice. Layer Road did not starve of football during hostilities as a number of high profile military encounters took place at the ground. The influx of military personnel through Colchester Garrison
ensured that Layer Road played host to a number of star players.
Source: 1939-40 Season Colchester United Results - coludata.co.uk
Source: 1939-40 Season Colchester United Results - coludata.co.uk
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
third season in the Southern Football League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
, although the season ended prematurely on 2 September 1939 due to the outbreak of World War Two, although Colchester did play some friendlies during this time. The clubs next full season did not occur until 1945–46.
Season Review
Once again War loomed over Europe. Colchester kicked off the 1939-40 campaign by winning the first leg of the delayed Southern League Cup semi-final by 5-1 against Norwich City ReservesNorwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
. But after just three Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
games, War was declared and, as with Colchester Town
Colchester Town F.C.
Colchester Town F.C. was an English amateur football club based in Colchester, Essex. Established in 1873, the club folded in 1937 after the formation of Colchester United.-History:...
during World War I, the club closed down and Layer Road
Layer Road
Layer Road was a Football League stadium in Colchester, England. It was only used for football matches and was the home ground of Colchester United before being replaced by the Weston Homes Community Stadium. The stadium held spectators and was built in 1907, originally for use by Colchester Town...
was denied the chance to earn League football after considerable momentum had been made.
United continued to play friendly matches against local opposition up until December 1939, with the Army Fire Fighting Corp taking over the ground for drill practice. Layer Road did not starve of football during hostilities as a number of high profile military encounters took place at the ground. The influx of military personnel through Colchester Garrison
Colchester Garrison
Colchester Garrison is located in Colchester in the county of Essex. It has been an important military base since the Roman era. The first permanent military garrison in Colchester was established by Legio XX Valeria Victrix in 43 AD following the Claudian invasion of Britain. Colchester was an...
ensured that Layer Road played host to a number of star players.
Squad
First team players until 2 September 1939Player Info
| Pos. | Name | Place of Birth | Date of Birth | Previous Club | Date Joined | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK |  England Bill Light |
England Woolston |
11 June 1913 | England West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
27 August 1938 | £1,500 |
| DF |  Northern Ireland Cecil Allan |
Northern Ireland Belfast Belfast Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly... |
1 January 1915 | England Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
22 September 1938 | £2,000 |
| DF | England Joe Birch Joe Birch Joseph "Joe" Birch was an English professional footballer who made more than 200 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic and Fulham. He played as a full back.... |
England Hednesford Hednesford Hednesford is a small town and civil parish in Staffordshire, England, within Cannock Chase District. It adjoins Cannock Chase to the north, and the town of Cannock to the south. It had a 2010 mid-year estimated population of 16,928.-History:... |
6 July 1904 | England Fulham Fulham F.C. Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season... |
27 August 1938 | Free |
| DF | England Syd Fieldus |
 European Union Unknown |
27 May 1909 | England Brentford Brentford F.C. Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One.... |
9 October 1937 | Free |
| DF | England George Leslie |
England Slough Slough Slough is a borough and unitary authority within the ceremonial county of Royal Berkshire, England. The town straddles the A4 Bath Road and the Great Western Main Line, west of central London... |
7 February 1914 | England Guildford City Guildford City F.C. Guildford City Football Club is a football club based in Guildford, Surrey, England. The club was originally established in 1921, folded in 1974 and were reformed in 1996... |
28 August 1937 | Free |
| DF |  Scotland Bill Main |
Scotland St Monans |
30 November 1915 |  Wales Cardiff CityCardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
26 August 1939 | Free |
| DF | England Robert Morris |
England Hatton Hatton, London Hatton is a small settlement in the London Borough of Hounslow, on the southern perimeter of London Heathrow Airport and on the A30 road.-Etymology:Hatton's name comes from Anglo-Saxon Hǣþtūn = "heath farmstead".-Neighbours:... |
11 March 1913 | England Norwich City Norwich City F.C. Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The... |
27 August 1938 | £500 |
| DF | England Alf Worton |
England Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region... |
4 April 1914 | England Norwich City Norwich City F.C. Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The... |
27 August 1938 | Free |
| FW | England Len Astill Len Astill Leonard Victor Astill was an English footballer who played five games in the Football League.-Career:Astill began his career with hometown club Wolverhampton Wanderers, who he made just 2 appearances for , before joining Blackburn Rovers for £3,000 in 1936... |
England Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region... |
30 December 1916 | England Ipswich Town Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02.... |
27 August 1938 | Free |
| FW | England Ken Burditt |
England Ibstock Ibstock Ibstock is a village and civil parish about south of Coalville in North West Leicestershire, England. The village is on the A447 road Between Coalville and Hinckley.... |
12 November 1906 | England Notts County Notts County F.C. Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system... |
26 August 1939 | £1,000 |
| FW | Scotland Alec Cheyne Alec Cheyne Alexander George 'Alec' Cheyne was a Scottish footballer who played as an inside-forward. He is reputed to have been responsible for the Hampden Roar following his goal in the 'Cheyne International' of 1929.... |
Scotland Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... |
28 April 1907 | England Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
28 August 1937 | £3,000 |
| FW | England George Law |
England Wellingborough Wellingborough Wellingborough is a market town and borough in Northamptonshire, England, situated some from the county town of Northampton. The town is situated on the north side of the River Nene, most of the older town is sited on the flanks of the hills above the river's current flood plain... |
12 May 1912 | England Norwich City Norwich City F.C. Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The... |
26 August 1939 | Free |
| FW | Scotland Bob Murray Robert Murray (Scottish footballer) Robert David Murray was a Scottish footballer. His regular position was as a forward. He was born in Newhaven, Edinburgh. He played for Bath City, Heart of Midlothian, and Manchester United.-External links:*... |
Scotland Newhaven Newhaven, Edinburgh Newhaven is a district in the City of Edinburgh, Scotland, between Leith and Granton. Formerly a village and harbour on the Firth of Forth, it currently has approximately 5,000 inhabitants.... |
27 March 1915 | England Baty City Bath City F.C. Bath City Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Bath, Somerset. They play in the Conference National league after gaining promotion from the Conference South via the play-offs in May 2010... |
2 February 1939 | £800 |
| FW | Wales Arthur Pritchard |
European Union Unknown |
22 October 1917 | England Yeovil & Petters United Yeovil Town F.C. Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05... |
28 August 1937 | Free |
| FW | England Ivan Thacker |
England Lowestoft Lowestoft Lowestoft is a town in the English county of Suffolk. The town is on the North Sea coast and is the most easterly point of the United Kingdom. It is north-east of London, north-east of Ipswich and south-east of Norwich... |
1 January 1914 | England Hoffman's Athletic |
3 March 1938 | Free |
| FW | England George Wallis |
England Sawley Sawley, Derbyshire Sawley is a village and civil parish within the Borough of Erewash, in southeast Derbyshire, England. Around 6,500 people live in the parish. with a slightly higher than average number of people over 65.... |
11 March 1910 | England Bath City Bath City F.C. Bath City Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Bath, Somerset. They play in the Conference National league after gaining promotion from the Conference South via the play-offs in May 2010... |
3 March 1938 | Free |
Transfers In
| Date | Pos. | Player Name | Previous Club | Transfer Fee | Notes |
| 26 August 1939 | DF | Scotland Bill Main |
Wales Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
Free | |
| 26 August 1939 | FW | England Ken Burditt |
England Notts County Notts County F.C. Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system... |
£1,000 | |
| 26 August 1939 | FW | England George Law |
England Norwich City Norwich City F.C. Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The... |
Free | |
Transfers Out
| Date | Pos. | Player Name | New Club | Transfer Fee | Notes |
| 4 May 1939 | DF | England Tim Haley |
European Union Released |
Free | |
| 4 May 1939 | MF | Wales George Crisp |
England Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest F.C. Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship... |
Undisclosed | |
| 4 May 1939 | FW | England George Merritt |
European Union Released for War |
Free | |
| 6 May 1939 | GK | England Don Youngs |
European Union Released |
Free | |
| 6 May 1939 | FW | England Jack Hodge |
England Hereford United Hereford United F.C. Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',... |
Undisclosed | |
| 2 September 1939 | DF | England Joe Birch Joe Birch Joseph "Joe" Birch was an English professional footballer who made more than 200 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic and Fulham. He played as a full back.... |
European Union Released for War |
Free | |
| 2 September 1939 | DF | England George Leslie |
European Union Released for War |
Free | |
| 2 September 1939 | DF | Scotland Bill Main |
European Union Released for War |
Free | |
| 2 September 1939 | DF | England Robert Morris |
European Union Released for War |
Free | |
| 2 September 1939 | DF | England Alf Worton |
European Union Released for War |
Free | |
| 2 September 1939 | FW | England Len Astill Len Astill Leonard Victor Astill was an English footballer who played five games in the Football League.-Career:Astill began his career with hometown club Wolverhampton Wanderers, who he made just 2 appearances for , before joining Blackburn Rovers for £3,000 in 1936... |
European Union Released for War |
Free | |
| 2 September 1939 | FW | England Ken Burditt |
European Union Released for War |
Free | |
| 2 September 1939 | FW | Scotland Alec Cheyne Alec Cheyne Alexander George 'Alec' Cheyne was a Scottish footballer who played as an inside-forward. He is reputed to have been responsible for the Hampden Roar following his goal in the 'Cheyne International' of 1929.... |
European Union Released for War |
Free | |
| 2 September 1939 | FW | England George Law |
European Union Released for War |
Free | |
| 2 September 1939 | FW | Scotland Bob Murray Robert Murray (Scottish footballer) Robert David Murray was a Scottish footballer. His regular position was as a forward. He was born in Newhaven, Edinburgh. He played for Bath City, Heart of Midlothian, and Manchester United.-External links:*... |
European Union Released for War |
Free | |
| 2 September 1939 | FW | Wales Arthur Pritchard |
European Union Released for War |
Free | |
| 2 September 1939 | FW | England George Wallis |
European Union Released for War |
Free | |
Southern League Results
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/08/1939 | Plymouth Argyle Reserves Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
H | 3-1 | 4,200 | Law, Cheyne Alec Cheyne Alexander George 'Alec' Cheyne was a Scottish footballer who played as an inside-forward. He is reputed to have been responsible for the Hampden Roar following his goal in the 'Cheyne International' of 1929.... , Birch Joe Birch Joseph "Joe" Birch was an English professional footballer who made more than 200 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic and Fulham. He played as a full back.... (pen. Penalty kick A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play... ) |
| 31/08/1939 | Chelmsford City Chelmsford City F.C. Chelmsford City F.C. is an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Chelmsford, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Melbourne Stadium.-Chelmsford:... |
H | 1-2 | –– | Cheyne Alec Cheyne Alexander George 'Alec' Cheyne was a Scottish footballer who played as an inside-forward. He is reputed to have been responsible for the Hampden Roar following his goal in the 'Cheyne International' of 1929.... |
| 02/09/1939 | Ipswich Town Reserves Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02.... |
H | 0-0 | –– |
Source: 1939-40 Season Colchester United Results - coludata.co.uk
Southern League Cup
| Date | Round | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28/08/1939 | SF | Norwich City Reserves Norwich City F.C. Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The... |
A | 5-1 | –– | Astill Len Astill Leonard Victor Astill was an English footballer who played five games in the Football League.-Career:Astill began his career with hometown club Wolverhampton Wanderers, who he made just 2 appearances for , before joining Blackburn Rovers for £3,000 in 1936... (2), Birch Joe Birch Joseph "Joe" Birch was an English professional footballer who made more than 200 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic and Fulham. He played as a full back.... , Pritchard, Law |
Source: 1939-40 Season Colchester United Results - coludata.co.uk
Squad statistics
| No. | Nat. | Pos. | Name | Total | Southern League Southern Football League The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales... |
Southern League Cup | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | |||||
All
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| England Len Astill Len Astill Leonard Victor Astill was an English footballer who played five games in the Football League.-Career:Astill began his career with hometown club Wolverhampton Wanderers, who he made just 2 appearances for , before joining Blackburn Rovers for £3,000 in 1936... |
2 |
| England Joe Birch Joe Birch Joseph "Joe" Birch was an English professional footballer who made more than 200 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic and Fulham. He played as a full back.... |
|
| Scotland Alec Cheyne Alec Cheyne Alexander George 'Alec' Cheyne was a Scottish footballer who played as an inside-forward. He is reputed to have been responsible for the Hampden Roar following his goal in the 'Cheyne International' of 1929.... |
|
| England George Law |
|
| Wales Arthur Pritchard |
1 |
League
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| Scotland Alec Cheyne Alec Cheyne Alexander George 'Alec' Cheyne was a Scottish footballer who played as an inside-forward. He is reputed to have been responsible for the Hampden Roar following his goal in the 'Cheyne International' of 1929.... |
2 |
| England Joe Birch Joe Birch Joseph "Joe" Birch was an English professional footballer who made more than 200 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic and Fulham. He played as a full back.... |
1 |
| England George Law |
|
Southern League Cup
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| England Len Astill Len Astill Leonard Victor Astill was an English footballer who played five games in the Football League.-Career:Astill began his career with hometown club Wolverhampton Wanderers, who he made just 2 appearances for , before joining Blackburn Rovers for £3,000 in 1936... |
2 |
| England Joe Birch Joe Birch Joseph "Joe" Birch was an English professional footballer who made more than 200 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic and Fulham. He played as a full back.... |
1 |
| England George Law |
|
| Wales Arthur Pritchard |
|