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Colchester sack their manager with immediate effect

Colchester United sack their manager with immediate effect following yet another defeat in League Two on Tuesday night against Exeter.

Head coach Steve Ball has left the club after a run of 13 League Two games without a win.

The U’s suffered a 2-1 defeat by the Grecians, which left them 21st in the League Two table, nine points above the relegation zone.

Ball previously played for the Essex side and took charge in July after previously being assistant to his predecessor John McGreal.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Colchester United can confirm that Steve Ball has left his role as U’s Head Coach.

Owner and Chairman Robbie Cowling said: “Following the game tonight and a discussion I had with Steve, it was decided that the best way forward was for him to leave his position as Head Coach.”

“Steve has been with the club in different capacities for a long time and I would like it placed on record our thanks to him for his hard work and dedication.”

“The club will make no further comment at this time.”

www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies

It was on the 14th of July that the U’s announced parted company with their manager John McGreal after four years in charge.

The U’s ended up finishing in sixth position in the League Two table, however, they lost out to Exeter City in the playoff semi-finals.

In the same season, he also managed to take them to the League Cup quarter-finals for only the second time in the club’s history, before getting eliminated by Manchester United.

Ball was number two to McGreal for the past four years and previously played for the club between 1989 and 1990, before going on to spend a number of years as part of the academy.

STEVE BALL’S PLAYING CAREER:

1987–1989 – Arsenal
1989–1990 – Colchester United – 4 games (0 goals)
1990–1992 – Norwich City – 2 games (0 goals)
1992 – Cambridge United
1992–1996 – Colchester United – 64 games (7 goals)
1996–1998 – Sudbury Town – 77 games (14 goals)
1998 – Heybridge Swifts
2003 – Long Melford
Total – 147 games (21 goals)

BALL’S MANAGERIAL CAREER:

1998–2003 – Stanway Rovers
2006 – Clacton Town
2013–2014 – Leiston
2015–2016 – Maldon & Tiptree
2016 – 2020 – Colchester United (assistant/caretaker)
2020-2021 – Colchester United

Fans reacted after seeing that Colchester sack their manager with immediate effect, see what they had to say below…

@Jake_henley96: Gave it his best go – Good luck in your future endeavours Steve.

@Jamie_Hudson_: Finally, thanks Steve for your efforts but the Philosophy needs to change and that should start here, Humes go tomorrow and an external manager in

@ChrisAd71317281: Good luck Steve Ball I am sure you gave of your best but that wasn’t enough. Now Robbie C do us all a favour and walk away too!

@jladbrook6: Finally, maybe Robbie does care after all – just needed to act more promptly

@EJShepherd6: Robbie does care he’s a great chairman he does a lot for us just wanted Steve to do well.

@hazsquires1: announce Humes

@iammozza_: Club is desperate for a change

@colujohn1980: Best news in 13 weeks

@jaymeeteewhu98: Right decision. Gave it a real go, but just wasn’t meant to be. Best wishes though Steve.

@h_frost10: Get in there you beauty

@adamwalkercufc: Good riddance need humes and de Souza to go as well because the system does not work

@jgrantham18: Thank god.. please now please get someone outside of the club with experience in

@Clachan1GK: Finally about time

@tommo06515335: Too late and who the hell has he in mind?

@pmMarty: … and now please no appointment from within!! … and for god sake, let’s pray it won’t be another humes’ spell

@HOLLY3RD: Was on a hiding to nothing but tried his best. Hope he is involved with the club further down the line in some capacity. For once appoint a manager with experience and leave it up to him, too many people like Humes and co offering little.

@OliverMorley8: Feel for Steve, couldn’t turn the job down but was out of his depth would be a good manager down the pyramid and to gain some experience and work his way up.

@DN35GTFC: Colchester realising they’re in the shit. A club up until 2 years ago were losing £65k a week and are £27million in debt. #GTFC

@MatthewV_ENG: At least two months overdue. I’d be more excited if I thought that anything would actually change though. #ColU

@ColUBryn: Sad for Steve Ball as he was hampered by COVID driven player sales but there was no other way in the end. I hope it’s not too late to save the #ColU as it’s looking like a very tough end to our season!

@_fennerbache: Let the Mullins era begin… #colu

@amcloughlin08: No one wanted it to end this way, thanks for trying Steve. Can’t help but feel this was the right decision. #ColU

@viewsontheu: Had to be done, was never cut out for it. The next appointment is vital, can’t be internal (including Mullins). Tisdale, Curle, Holloway, Ricketts. Plenty of options out there!

@will_cooper03: Holloway in, Humes out #colu

@Jamie_Hudson_: Finally! Thanks for the efforts Steve, now no more excuses, external manager, but finally Robbie makes the right decision #ColU

@jackmcpherson0: now time to sack the board, change will only happen for the better when that happens #colu

@jodypryke: Ian Holloway or riot #colU

@maaxaaam: Feel very deep saying this but who’s got a bottle of champagne

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