1984–85 Colchester United F.C. season

Despite chairman Maurice Cadman announcing the removal of win bonuses for the season, only three of the eight out-of-contract players chose to move on despite the new scheme. Steve Wignall however decided to leave for Brentford.

Colchester were paired with Gillingham in the first round of the League Cup, where they were beaten 5–2 over two legs. The U's were then drawn against them in the second round of the FA Cup after seeing off Southend United in the Essex derby following a replay. Again, Gillingham won, on this occasion scoring five in a single match and inflicting the heaviest ever home defeat on Colchester.

In-form forward Tony Adcock continued his scoring form, with 28 goals to his name by January. However, with Liverpool rumoured to be interested in signing him and Bobby Hunt's 38-goal record in sight, he suffered a serious knee injury which ruled him out for almost the remainder of the season.

Once more Colchester fell just short of promotion in seventh place, but ten points adrift of automatic promotion in fourth position. The club equalled its record away win with a 5–1 victory at Exeter City on 23 March.

Meanwhile, Maurice Cadman found a new buyer for the club, with Jonathan Crisp paying the £150,000 asking price. He promised Second Division football within five years, but in light of the Bradford City stadium fire on 11 May, a move away from the timber-constructed Layer Road stands meant fabricating a move away or redevelopment of the stadium was of utmost importance.{{cite web |url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2012/july/the-1970s-and-1980s/ |title=The 1970s and 1980s |last=Hudson |first=Matt |date=11 July 2012 |publisher=Colchester United FC |access-date=1 May 2018 }}

{{updated|match played 10 May 1985.}}{{cite web |url=http://www.coludata.co.uk/content.php?pg=appearances&pd=1010#frmft=True&pg=appearances&pd=1010&fsea=45&fplist=all&flgcup=all&fcompstShowAll=&fdfaShowAll= |title=Appearances |publisher=Coludata.co.uk |access-date=1 July 2018 }}

{{notelist}}

• Total spending: {{loss}} ~ £0

{{notelist}}

• Total incoming: {{gain}} ~ £0

{{notelist}}

{{notelist}}

{{Main|1984–85 Football League}}

{{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|legendpos=b

|header=Round

|label1= Ground

|res1=H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/A/H/A/H

|label2= Result

|res2=D/D/D/L/W/W/W/W/L/L/W/W/L/D/L/W/D/W/L/W/D/W/D/W/W/W/W/W/D/L/D/L/W/D/W/D/L/W/L/D/D/L/W/D/L/W

|label3= Position

|res3=10/10/15/18/14/8/7/4/7/8/7/6/6/10/11/9/10/8/9/8/9/7/7/7/7/5/6/3/3/5/6/6/6/6/6/6/6/6/6/6/6/6/6/6/8/5

|text_H=Home|text_A=Away

|color_W=green2|text_W=Win

|color_D=yellow2|text_D=Draw

|color_L=red2|text_L=Loss

|color_-4=green1|color_21-=red1

|source=[https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-four/1985/ 11v11.com]

|date=8 July 2018

}}

{{:1984–85 Football League|transcludesection=Fourth Division|only_totals=y|showteam=COL}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|8|25|df=y}}

|time = 15:00 BST

|round = 1

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 3–3

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2099 Report]

|team2 = Southend United

|goals1 = Adcock {{goal|9||32||44}}

|goals2 = Whymark {{goal|21}}
Phillips {{goal|22}}
Ferguson {{goal|80}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,378

|referee = Brian Hill

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|8|31|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 2

|team1 = Scunthorpe United

|score = 2–2

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2101 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Cammack {{goal|31}}
Cowling {{goal|90}}

|goals2 = Bowen {{goal|4}}
Adcock {{goal|77}}

|stadium = Old Showground

|location = Scunthorpe

|attendance = 1,818

|referee = T Curtis

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|9|8|df=y}}

|time = 15:00 BST

|round = 3

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 1–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2103 Report]

|team2 = Blackpool

|goals1 = Adcock {{goal|83}}

|goals2 = Deary {{goal|35|pen.}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 1,772

|referee = M Cotton

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|9|15|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 4

|team1 = Bury

|score = 4–3

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2104 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Entwistle {{goal|15}}
Madden {{goal|71||87}}
White {{goal|74}}

|goals2 = Adcock {{goal|79}}
Houston {{goal|84}}
Hull {{goal|90}}

|stadium = Gigg Lane

|location = Bury

|attendance = 2,145

|referee = P Vanes

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|9|19|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 5

|team1 = Mansfield Town

|score = 0–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2105 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Bowen {{goal|34}}

|stadium = Field Mill

|location = Mansfield

|attendance = 2,084

|referee = L Robinson

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|9|22|df=y}}

|time = 15:00 BST

|round = 6

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 2–0

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2106 Report]

|team2 = Aldershot

|goals1 = Adcock {{goal|4||39}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 1,641

|referee = Ian Borrett

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|9|29|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 7

|team1 = Northampton Town

|score = 1–3

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2107 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Hayes {{goal|24}}
Mundee {{sent off|0|64}}

|goals2 = Parkinson {{goal|70}}
Adcock {{goal|74}}
Bowen {{goal|78}}

|stadium = County Ground

|location = Northampton

|attendance = 1,595

|referee = J Martin

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|10|2|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 8

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 2–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2108 Report]

|team2 = Torquay United

|goals1 = Bowen {{goal|81}}
Hull {{goal|83}}

|goals2 = Barnes {{goal|64}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 1,813

|referee = Tony Ward

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|10|13|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 9

|team1 = Darlington

|score = 4–0

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2109 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Forster {{goal|11||75}}
McLean {{goal|61|pen.}}
Airey {{goal|72}}

|goals2 = Groves {{sent off|0|38}}

|stadium = Feethams

|location = Darlington

|attendance = 2,021

|referee = J McAulay

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|10|16|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 10

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 3–4

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2110 Report]

|team2 = Exeter City

|goals1 = Adcock {{goal|6}}
Hull {{goal|35}}
Groves {{goal|52}}

|goals2 = Sims {{goal|4}}
Smith {{goal|51}}
Harrower {{goal|54}}
Pratt {{goal|55}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 1,846

|referee = Martin Bodenham

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|10|20|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 11

|team1 = Chester City

|score = 1–2

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2111 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Fox {{goal|60}}

|goals2 = Adcock {{goal|23||45}}

|stadium = Sealand Road

|location = Chester

|attendance = 1,400

|referee = Roger Dilkes

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|10|23|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 BST

|round = 12

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 3–0

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2112 Report]

|team2 = Stockport County

|goals1 = Hull {{goal|27||87}}
Groves {{goal|55}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,153

|referee = Colin Downey

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|10|26|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 BST

|round = 13

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 1–3

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2113 Report]

|team2 = Halifax Town

|goals1 = Adcock {{goal|9}}

|goals2 = Lowe {{goal|16}}
Ayre {{goal|57}}
Gallagher {{goal|86}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,295

|referee = Tom Bune

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|11|3|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 14

|team1 = Chesterfield

|score = 1–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2114 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Moss {{goal|75}}

|goals2 = Adcock {{goal|45}}

|stadium = Saltergate

|location = Chesterfield

|attendance = 3,614

|referee = George Courtney

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|11|6|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 15

|team1 = Tranmere Rovers

|score = 3–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2115 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Clayton {{goal|34||54}}
Clarke {{goal|36|pen.}}

|goals2 = Godbold {{goal|90}}

|stadium = Prenton Park

|location = Birkenhead

|attendance = 1,587

|referee = T Mills

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|11|9|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 GMT

|round = 16

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 1–0

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2116 Report]

|team2 = Hartlepool United

|goals1 = Adcock {{goal|78}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,136

|referee = Alf Buksh

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|11|24|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 17

|team1 = Rochdale

|score = 1–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2119 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Cooke {{goal|90}}

|goals2 = Groves {{goal|84}}

|stadium = Spotland Stadium

|location = Rochdale

|attendance = 1,012

|referee = R Bridges

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|12|1|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 18

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 3–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2120 Report]
{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080517035542/http://www.uptheposh.com/matches/1292/ Report]}}

|team2 = Peterborough United

|goals1 = Irving {{goal|22}}
Groves {{goal|24}}
Adcock {{goal|38}}

|goals2 = Kelly {{goal|41}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,070

|referee = M James

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|12|15|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 19

|team1 = Swindon Town

|score = 2–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2122 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Coyne {{goal|18}}
Gordon {{goal|41}}

|goals2 = Adcock {{goal|33}}

|stadium = County Ground

|location = Swindon

|attendance = 2,263

|referee = Keith Cooper

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|12|21|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 20

|team1 = Crewe Alexandra

|score = 1–4

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2123 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Allatt {{goal|16}}

|goals2 = Adcock {{goal|31}}
Groves {{goal|33}}
Bowen {{goal|59||90}}

|stadium = Gresty Road

|location = Crewe

|attendance = 1,529

|referee = J Bray

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|12|26|df=y}}

|time = 15:00 GMT

|round = 21

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 2–2

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2124 Report]

|team2 = Hereford United

|goals1 = Adcock {{goal|79}}
Bowen {{goal|80}}

|goals2 = S Phillips {{goal|31}}
I Phillips {{goal|89|o.g.}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,525

|referee = D Reeves

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|12|28|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 GMT

|round = 22

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 3–2

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2125 Report]

|team2 = Port Vale

|goals1 = Groves {{goal|4}}
Bowen {{goal|32|pen.|56|pen.}}

|goals2 = Brown {{goal|50}}
Smith {{goal|66}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,014

|referee = E Scales

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|1|1|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 23

|team1 = Wrexham

|score = 2–2

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2126 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Edwards {{goal|61}}
Horne {{goal|85}}

|goals2 = Phillips {{goal|21}}
Irving {{goal|75}}

|stadium = Racecourse Ground

|location = Wrexham

|attendance = 1,376

|referee = R Banks

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|1|26|df=y}}

|time = 15:00 GMT

|round = 24

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 1–0

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2128 Report]

|team2 = Bury

|goals1 = Osborne {{goal|46}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,028

|referee = Rob Lewis

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|1|29|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 25

|team1 = Southend United

|score = 2–5

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2153 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Hadley {{goal|64}}
Pennyfather {{goal|80}}

|goals2 = Adcock {{goal|8}}
Groves {{goal|11||23}}
Bowen {{goal|62||73}}

|stadium = Roots Hall

|location = Southend-on-Sea

|attendance = 2,401

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|2|1|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 GMT

|round = 26

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 4–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2130 Report]

|team2 = Northampton Town

|goals1 = Hedman {{goal|63}}
Adcock {{goal|70}}
Day {{goal|72}}
Parkinson {{goal|83|pen.}}

|goals2 = Mundee {{goal|85}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,314

|referee = Tony Ward

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|2|22|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 27

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 3–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2132 Report]

|team2 = Chesterfield

|goals1 = Adcock {{goal|33||60||77}}

|goals2 = Newton {{goal|56}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,303

|referee = N Butler

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|2|26|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 28

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 2–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2133 Report]

|team2 = Mansfield Town

|goals1 = Day {{goal|4}}
Groves {{goal|82}}

|goals2 = Vinter {{goal|38}}
Kearney {{sent off|1|84}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,267

|referee = D Letts

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|3|1|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 29

|team1 = Halifax Town

|score = 0–0

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2134 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium = The Shay

|location = Halifax

|attendance = 1,022

|referee = M Peek

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|3|4|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 30

|team1 = Stockport County

|score = 1–0

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2135 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Evans {{goal|88}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Edgeley Park

|location = Stockport

|attendance = 1,561

|referee = A Seville

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|3|8|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 GMT

|round = 31

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 1–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2136 Report]

|team2 = Chester City

|goals1 = Irving {{goal|75}}

|goals2 = Rimmer {{goal|31}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,224

|referee = K Baker

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|3|15|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 GMT

|round = 32

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 1–2

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2138 Report]

|team2 = Darlington

|goals1 = Irving {{goal|40}}

|goals2 = McLean {{goal|22}}
Airey {{goal|38}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 1,739

|referee = Alan Gunn

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|3|23|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 33

|team1 = Exeter City

|score = 1–5

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2139 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Morgan {{goal|49}}

|goals2 = Bowen {{goal|32||55}}
Parkinson {{goal|61}}
Irving {{goal|83||87}}

|stadium = St James Park

|location = Exeter

|attendance = 1,828

|referee = Roger Milford

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|3|26|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 34

|team1 = Blackpool

|score = 1–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2140 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Pashley {{goal|68}}

|goals2 = Tony English {{goal|7}}

|stadium = Bloomfield Road

|location = Blackpool

|attendance = 4,057

|referee = D Shaw

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|3|29|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 GMT

|round = 35

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 2–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2141 Report]

|team2 = Tranmere Rovers

|goals1 = Day {{goal|80}}
Tony English {{goal|84}}

|goals2 = Clarke {{goal|22}}
Sinclair {{sent off|0|65}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,044

|referee = D Hedges

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|4|2|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 BST

|round = 36

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 1–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2142 Report]

|team2 = Scunthorpe United

|goals1 = Day {{goal|49}}

|goals2 = Broddle {{goal|51}}
Graham {{sent off|1|30}}
Lees {{sent off|1|87}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,409

|referee = M James

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|4|6|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 37

|team1 = Hereford United

|score = 2–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2143 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Phillips {{goal|11}}
Price {{goal|25}}

|goals2 = Bowen {{goal|75|pen.}}

|stadium = Edgar Street

|location = Hereford

|attendance = 3,485

|referee = P Tyldesley

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|4|8|df=y}}

|time = 15:00 BST

|round = 38

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 4–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2144 Report]

|team2 = Wrexham

|goals1 = Bowen {{goal|17}}
Irving {{goal|32||80}}
Hubbick {{goal|90}}

|goals2 = Edwards {{goal|25}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,204

|referee = Ian Borrett

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|4|13|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 39

|team1 = Hartlepool United

|score = 2–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2145 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Dobson {{goal|32||77}}

|goals2 = Parkinson {{goal|76}}

|stadium = Victoria Park

|location = Hartlepool

|attendance = 1,512

|referee = N Glover

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|4|16|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 40

|team1 = Torquay United

|score = 1–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2146 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Walsh {{goal|54}}

|goals2 = Bowen {{goal|34}}

|stadium = Plainmoor

|location = Torquay

|attendance = 1,191

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|4|19|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 BST

|round = 41

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 1–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2147 Report]

|team2 = Rochdale

|goals1 = Parkinson {{goal|15}}

|goals2 = Diamond {{goal|13|pen.}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 1,853

|referee = J Ball

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|4|23|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 42

|team1 = Aldershot

|score = 1–0

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2148 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = McDonald {{goal|76}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Recreation Ground

|location = Aldershot

|attendance = 1,624

|referee = D Brazier

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|4|27|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 43

|team1 = Peterborough United

|score = 0–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2149 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Hedman {{goal|30}}

|stadium = London Road Stadium

|location = Peterborough

|attendance = 1,624

|referee = L Robinson

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|5|4|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 44

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 1–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2150 Report]

|team2 = Swindon Town

|goals1 = Tony English {{goal|77}}

|goals2 = Ramsey {{goal|43}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 1,867

|referee = G Napthine

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|5|6|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 45

|team1 = Port Vale

|score = 3–2

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2151 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Brown {{goal|40}}
Kellock {{goal|65}}
Earle {{goal|71|pen.}}

|goals2 = Shinners {{goal|85}}
Groves {{goal|89}}

|stadium = Vale Park

|location = Burslem

|attendance = 2,526

|referee = G Aplin

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|5|10|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 BST

|round = 46

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 4–1

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=13&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2152 Report]

|team2 = Crewe Alexandra

|goals1 = Osborne {{goal|35}}
Bowen {{goal|66}}
Parkinson {{goal|70}}
Irving {{goal|89}}

|goals2 = Allatt {{goal|20}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 1,864

|referee = Brian Hill

|result = W

}}

{{Main|1984–85 Football League Cup}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|8|28|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 1st round 1st leg

|team1 = Gillingham

|score = 3–2

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=7&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2100 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Weatherly {{goal|31}}
Mehmet {{goal|49}}
Leslie {{goal|90}}

|goals2 = Bowen {{goal|54}}
Houston {{goal|87}}

|stadium = Priestfield Stadium

|location = Gillingham

|attendance = 2,689

|referee = Rob Lewis

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|9|4|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 BST

|round = 1st round 2nd leg

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 0–2

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=7&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2102 Report]

|team2 = Gillingham

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Weatherly {{goal|68||86}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 2,162

|referee = Keith Hackett

|result = L

|note = Gillingham won 5–2 on aggregate.

}}

{{Main|1984–85 FA Cup}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|11|17|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 1st round

|team1 = Southend United

|score = 2–2

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=5&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2117 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Clark {{goal|14}}
Phillips {{goal|51|pen.}}

|goals2 = Irving {{goal|3}}
Houston {{goal|21}}

|stadium = Roots Hall

|location = Southend-on-Sea

|attendance = 2,935

|referee = E Scales

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|11|21|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 GMT

|round = 1st round replay

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 3–2

|aet = yes

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=5&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2118 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Adcock {{goal|29}}
Pennyfather {{goal|74|o.g.}}
Groves {{goal|104}}

|goals2 = Shepherd {{goal|13}}
Phillips {{goal|31}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 3,907

|referee = E Scales

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1984|12|8|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 2nd round

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 0–5

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=5&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2121 Report]

|team2 = Gillingham

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Robinson {{goal|30}}
Shearer {{goal|31||61||90}}
Cascarino {{goal|86}}

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 4,487

|referee = Colin Downey

|result = L

}}

{{Main|1984–85 Football League Trophy}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|1|23|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 1st round 1st leg (southern section)

|team1 = Gillingham

|score = 2–2

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=6&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2127 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Oakes {{goal|62}}
Shinners {{goal|89}}

|goals2 = Groves {{goal|22}}
Adcock {{goal|29}}

|stadium = Priestfield Stadium

|location = Gillingham

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|2|5|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 GMT

|round = 1st round 2nd leg (southern section)

|team1 = Colchester United

|score = 2–0

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=6&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2131 Report]

|team2 = Gillingham

|goals1 = Adcock {{goal|34||43}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Layer Road

|location = Colchester

|attendance = 1,762

|referee = Colin Downey

|result = W

|note = Colchester won 4–2 on aggregate.

}}

{{football box collapsible

|date = {{Start date|1985|3|12|df=y}}

|time =

|round = 2nd round (southern section)

|team1 = Walsall

|score = 1–0

|report = [http://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?frmft=True&pg=match&pd=1022&fsea=45&fdfaShowAll=&frefShowAll=&fcomp1=6&fcomp1ShowAll=&frt=all&fhan=all&it=2137 Report]

|team2 = Colchester United

|goals1 = Childs {{goal|15}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Fellows Park

|location = Walsall

|attendance = 4,108

|referee = K Nixon

|result = L

}}

{{cite web | url=http://www.coludata.co.uk/content.php?pg=goals&pd=1014#frmft=True&pg=goals&pd=1014&fsea=45&fplist=all&flgcup=all&fcompstShowAll=&fdfaShowAll= | title=Goals | publisher=Coludata.co.uk |access-date=5 July 2018 }}

{{Efs start|Fourth Division|FA Cup|League Cup|Football League Trophy}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Alec Chamberlain|nat=ENG|pos=GK |46|0|3|0|2|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Keith Day|nat=ENG|pos=DF |45|4|3|0|2|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Tony English|nat=ENG|pos=DF |20+2|3|0|0|0|0|2+1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Rudi Hedman|nat=ENG|pos=DF |29+1|2|1+2|0|0|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Stewart Houston|nat=SCO|pos=DF |28+1|1|2|1|2|1|1+1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Ian Phillips|nat=SCO|pos=DF |37|1|3|0|2|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Andy Farrell|nat=ENG|pos=MF |35+3|0|3|0|2|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Jeff Hull|nat=ENG|pos=MF |18|5|3|0|2|0|0+1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Roger Osborne|nat=ENG|pos=MF |39+1|2|2|0|2|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Noel Parkinson|nat=ENG|pos=MF |44|6|3|0|0+1|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Tony Adcock|nat=ENG|pos=FW |27+1|24|3|1|2|0|2|3}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Keith Bowen|nat=WAL|pos=FW |41+1|17|0+1|0|2|1|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Simon Burman|nat=ENG|pos=FW |8+1|0|0|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Perry Groves|nat=ENG|pos=FW |44|10|3|1|2|0|3|1}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Russell Irving|nat=ENG|pos=FW |34+7|9|3|1|0+1|0|3|0}}

|-

!colspan="16"|Players who appeared for Colchester who left during the season

{{Efs player|no=|name=Daryl Godbold|nat=ENG|pos=DF |4+2|1|1|0|2|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Stuart Youngman|nat=ENG|pos=MF |0+1|0|0|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Tommy English|nat=ENG|pos=FW |0|0|0|0|0|0|0+1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Dave Hubbick|nat=ENG|pos=FW |1+4|1|0|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=|name=Paul Shinners|nat=ENG|pos=FW |6|1|0|0|0|0|0|0}}

|}

{{cite web | url=http://www.coludata.co.uk/content.php?pg=discipline&pd=1013#frmft=True&pg=discipline&pd=1013&fsea=45&fplist=all&flgcup=all&fcompstShowAll=&fdfaShowAll= | title=Discipline | publisher=Coludata.co.uk |access-date=5 July 2018 }}

Number of games goalkeepers kept a clean sheet.{{cite web |url=http://www.coludata.co.uk/content.php?pg=cleansheets&pd=1035#frmft=True&pg=cleansheets&pd=1035&fsea=45&fplist=all&flgcup=all&fcompstShowAll=&fdfa=1 |title=Clean sheets (1st team) |publisher=Coludata.co.uk |access-date=5 July 2018 }}

Players making their first-team Colchester United debut in a fully competitive match.{{cite web |url=http://coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayersDebuts/Alldebut.html |title=Alltime- List of Debuts |publisher=Coludaybyday.co.uk |access-date=5 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626101319/http://coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayersDebuts/Alldebut.html |archive-date=26 June 2015 |url-status=dead }}

{{notelist|2}}

• List of Colchester United F.C. seasons

Books

• {{cite book |last1=Whitehead |first1=Jeff |last2=Drury |first2=Kevin |title=The Who's Who of Colchester United: The Layer Road Years |year=2008 |publisher=Breedon Books |location=Derby |isbn=978-1-85983-629-3 }}

Websites

• {{cite web |url=http://www.11v11.com/teams/colchester-united/tab/matches/season/1985/ |title=Colchester United football club match record: 1985 |publisher=11v11.com |access-date=5 July 2018 }}

{{Reflist}}

{{Colchester United F.C. seasons}}

{{1984–85 in English football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Colchester United F.C. Season 1984-85}}

1984-85

Category:English football clubs 1984–85 season