1972–73 Colchester United F.C. season

Colchester United

1972–73 season

Chairman

Roy Chapman

Manager

Dick Graham
(Until 8 September 1972)

Dennis Mochan
(8 September 1972 -
1 October 1972)

Jim Smith
(From 1 October 1972)

Fourth Division

22nd

FA Cup

2nd Round

League Cup

1st Round

Top goalscorer

League:
Mick Mahon (12)
All:
Mick Mahon (12)

Highest home attendance

6,083 (Hereford United)

Lowest home attendance

2,437 (Peterborough United)

Average home league attendance

3,330

← 1971–72

1973–74 →

The 1972–73 season was Colchester United's fifth consecutive season in the Football League Fourth Division. After finishing 22nd in the league, Colchester had to seek re-election from The Football League, which was accepted.

When the club held its AGM in September 1972, manager Dick Graham was so incensed of the questioning, by a shareholder, of his team and tactics that he tendered his resignation. The shareholder, it was alleged, had won his five shares in a raffle but his actions put United in chaos. A month later an unknown Jim Smith was appointed manager. He had led Boston United to the Northern Premier League title and one of his first signings was Boston striker Bobby Svarc for £6,000 but United had just six points from 13 games and sat bottom of the entire League. Smith's arrival gave an initial boost and he actually collected the Manager of the Month award for lifting United off the bottom.

It was not to be and United had to go to The Football League to seek re-election. Just as their Cup heroics in 1948 had helped them into the League then the 1971 FA Cup campaign ensured the U's earned a maximum 48 votes from their fellow clubs.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GAv = Goal average; Pts = Points

Source: 1972-73 Season Colchester United Results - coludata.co.uk

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