Heroes & Villains – Colchester United
Heroes – 1971 FA Cup Team
The most memorable team in Colchester United’s history has to be the one that defeated Leeds United in 1971.
Colchester were in the Fourth Division and reached the Fifth Round of the FA Cup. They were drawn at home to high-flying Leeds United of the First Division. No one gave them a chance as the Leeds side had many international players including Jack Charlton, Peter Lorimer, Johnny Giles, Norman Hunter.
The home side raced into three-goal lead thanks to a first half double from Ray Crawford and a goal from Dave Simmons after 54 minutes.
Leeds got back into the tie with Norman Hunter scoring on the hour and Johnny Giles netting after 78 minutes.
The Fourth Division side held on though for one of the FA Cup’s biggest ever giantkillings.
They were comprehensively beaten 5-0 by Everton in the next round but the win over Leeds United lived long in the memory of those who were at Layer Road.
Villain- Paul Lambert
Who would have thought that a former Champions League winner would feature as Colchester United’s villain?!
Paul Lambert gets the award despite beating nearby Norwich City 7-1 away from home in his last match in charge of Colchester. The reason why he is the villain is simple….he left Colchester a couple of days after the demolition at Carrow Road to become manager of Norwich!
Many Colchester fans have never forgiven Lambert for leaving one game in to the 2009/10 season, mainly for the reason that he was on to something quite special. The squad that he had put together were starting to look good and Lambert gave it all up to join Norwich.
To rub salt into the wound, Lambert lead Norwich to back-to-back promotions, guiding City to the Premier League in his first two seasons in charge. It left United fans thinking of what could have been.
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