Colchester United have chosen to unveil their new head coach after initially narrowing their manager search to just two prime candidates.
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.
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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.
His record as manager of Colchester stood at 202 games, 76 wins, 55 draws and 71 defeats, giving him a win percentage of 37.6.
A club statement from chairman Robbie Cowling read: “Colchester United are seeking a new first-team head coach.
“I spoke with John McGreal on Friday July 3 to explain that the club is going to be implementing a new plan that will see the first team being even more tightly aligned to the Academy and that I along with my three other directors, (Tony Humes, Tony Ashby and Jon De Souza), felt a change of first-team head coach was required if our new direction was to be successfully implemented.
“This was a very tough decision for a number of reasons, but not least because John has been First Team Head Coach for the last four years.
“This last season has been one of the club’s best seasons for a number of years and John should be very proud of his time in charge of the first team.”
Now Colchester have since appointed Steve Ball over the other candidate Wayne Brown, who is manager of Maldon & Tiptree.
Steve Ball presented to the media as @ColU_Official new Head Coach pic.twitter.com/NFt6L4BTWm
— Donovan Blake (@DonovanBlakeitv) July 28, 2020
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.
U’s Chairman Robbie Cowling said of the appointment: “Steve was a natural choice for Colchester United to make because as well as being an excellent coach, he knows the club inside out having started as an Academy coach.
“He also understands the demands of the first team, having been John McGreal’s assistant for the last four seasons.”
“Steve is taking the reins as first team coach at a pivotal time for the club. The financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic has forced Colchester United into releasing a number of senior players that I’m sure Steve would have liked us to have kept.
“Steve is likely to have to deal with issues that no First Team Coach or Manager before him has had to endure.
“However, our club is not alone and I trust that everyone is appreciative of our situation and will give Steve their full support.”
Glenn Speller, BBC Essex Sports Editor, said: “This is a surprise, but not a surprise!
“Colchester have a history of appointing from within, but having parted company with McGreal stating they want the first team to be more closely aligned with the academy, the question must be what will Steve Ball do that his predecessor couldn’t?
“This is going to a tough baptism for Ball in his first full-time job as a number one.
“Colchester have lost four senior professionals from the side which got them to the League Two play-offs and a League Cup quarter-final against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
“They are unlikely to be replaced with similar experience and he will be forced to use more of the youngsters.”
Colchester fans were able to see the reveal of their new head coach as the Press Conference was streamed live from the JobServe Community Stadium from 2pm on ColUTickets.com, but had to be a registered user.
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 – Colchester United (caretaker)
Fans reacted as Colchester unveil their new head coach in Steve Ball, majority were left unhappy however…
Ffs
— Daniel D????????? (@danield9898) July 28, 2020
???
— Ryan Mann (@RyanMann15) July 28, 2020
Steve Ball, who would’ve thought eh? Colchester United in dull, uninspiring yet painfully inevitable managerial appointment shocker. #ColU
— Matthew (@MatthewV_ENG) July 28, 2020
This is just painful… long painful season ahead pic.twitter.com/FaYssVFPXK
— Andy Glenister (@andyglenister) July 28, 2020
In house again ?????
— Bradley hipkin (@hipkin_bradley) July 28, 2020
Crying yet?
— Reginald Buttcheek III (@abglanz12) July 28, 2020
@ColU_Official COWLING IS A FUCKING MUG FUCK OFF https://t.co/mWIR2lKdFC
— Stefan (@StefanGeorgiou4) July 28, 2020
Steve Ball it is then! Said before not my choice but will certainly back him! Be recording a pod tomorrow with a co-host! Any questions or comments you want to add let me know ??⚽️ #ColU
— Views On The U’s (@viewsontheu) July 28, 2020
Good luck 2 Steve Ball in his role as the new #colu boss (head coach). A sizzling 25-yarder 2 earn a point in a 2-2 draw at Torquay in April, 1993, is my favourite moment of his U’s playing career during Big Roy’s @RoyMcDonough regime. I remember that shot like it was yesterday
— Carl Marston (@Carl_Marston) July 28, 2020
The burning question on everybody’s lips now – who’s going to be promoted to assistant coach to start their prestigious 3-year apprenticeship with a guaranteed managerial job at the end? #ColU
— Matthew (@MatthewV_ENG) July 28, 2020
What a embarrassment @ColU_Official #notmymanager
— David (@iamappers) July 28, 2020
Another example of Cowling doing business on the cheap ☠️?
— ? Kai ? (@KaiIshaq) July 28, 2020
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