All was not well behind the scenes when Managing Director Steven Gage resigned on the eve of the 1999–2000 season. Within two weeks Mick Wadsworth also departed. He lived in Pontefract and declared that Colchester was too far south to drive - then, directly after a League Cup tie at Selhurst Park, he joined Crystal Palace . In reality, he had got rid of fans favourites and brought in a bunch of highly paid mercenaries, blowing the entire playing budget - most were linked to controversial football agent Barry Silkman. When midfielder Brian Launders was sacked for gross misconduct, Silkman took United to Court and this exposed the influence agents had on the game, something Steve Wignall had pre-empted.

As a result, United, now led by Chairman Peter Heard, invoked a policy of not dealing with agents ever again. Promoting from within, Heard appointed Steve Whitton as manager in August 1999. One win in eleven including a 5-2 mauling at Cambridge saw United bottom by October. Whitton re-instated Joe Dunne, Tony Lock and Richard Wilkins and re-signed Steve McGavin. A thrilling 5–4 January 2000 win over Bristol Rovers was the highlight of the season and the emergence of the skilful Lomana Lua Lua, with 14 goals, complimented 16 from McGavin.

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

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Wikipedia