FAN'S VIEW: awards night showed how lucky we are to support Colchester United

Yahoo

02-05-2025

COLCHESTER United's End of Season Dinner was a nice fitting way to end the season – admittedly with one or possibly more games to go – with a chance for staff, fans, and sponsors to get together to celebrate achievements and discuss the highs and lows of the season in a relaxed atmosphere.
I have been to a number of these, and it was an event that was missed when it got stopped by that COVID season and never returned - admittedly, you could say that was a good thing with the seasons that followed.
But on the back of a good season, it was nice to be able to come together and show appreciation.
🏆 Colchester United Player of the Season: Jack Payne. PFA POTM ✅ L2 Team of the Season ✅ Players' Player ✅ CUSA POTS ✅ CUFC POTS ✅ A stellar debut season for our No.10, congratulations, Jack! 👏#ColU | #WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/rboKofhv5F
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) May 2, 2025
We arrived at the stadium to welcome drinks and a chance to mingle with the backroom staff, those who do not get the limelight, but as Danny Cowley was keen to point out, they are the people that the club rely on to keep everything ticking along behind the scenes, day to day keeping the machine working.
It was nice to see Chris Saward from the ticket office and have the opportunity to thank him for all he has done for the many supporters over the years, as he moves on to a new career in the insurance sector. A man who will be missed, for sure.
Once we were all seated, the players were introduced as they arrived into the room and this year for the first time, some of Colchester United Women's team were included in this. It was a nice touch and shows the club are really taking them onboard and adding to the feeling we are a Club United.
🏆 Colchester United Players' Player of the Season: Jack Payne. A standout campaign, recognised by his teammates. 20 goal contributions: 11 assists and 9 goals. A class act both on and off the pitch. 👏#ColU | #WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/IrOT07vkfu
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) May 2, 2025
The three-course dinner was served, after a speech from Robbie Cowling - and the food itself was worth the ticket price alone.
While it was all very nice, the main course of Slow Braised Beef is particularly worth a mention, as it was cooked to perfection.
The other choices must have been just as good, given the number of empty plates in the room.
During dinner, it was a chance to chat to the players on the table and while most of the conversation was football related, it was also nice to be able to see their more personal side, something that is sometimes overlooked when we see them week in, week out on the pitch.
We had Tom Flanagan, Oscar Thorn and Teddy Bishop on our table, all really down to earth and willing to chat away.
🏆 Colchester United Young Player of the Season: Jamie McDonnell. What a season this man has had, and what a future he's set to have in the game. Well deserved, Jamie! 👏#ColU | #WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/BL4e9sWTUO
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) May 2, 2025
It was funny watching a Tottenham-supporting Bishop and Man United fan Thorn looking at the Europa League scores as the respective games went on. It proves they are just the same as us as football fans, always wanting to know how their team is getting on, no matter what.
After dinner, there was a light-hearted game of Goal or No Goal followed by the reason we were all there - the presentation of awards for success achieved both on the pitch and off it.
Much has already been said about who won what, but the feeling in the room was that the right awards went to the right people.
But, even though she will hate me for this, a special mention must go to Jamie Newstead.
🏆 Colchester United Young Player of the Season: Jamie McDonnell. What a season this man has had, and what a future he's set to have in the game. Well deserved, Jamie! 👏#ColU | #WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/BL4e9sWTUO
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) May 2, 2025
A diehard U's fan and one of the mainstays of the Women's team, she has played more than 100 games for the club, both in the current team and the previous incarnation of the side.
She was presented an award for special recognition, and I could not think of a more deserving winner than Jamie.
With that done and dusted, Danny took to the stage to discuss the season and how he has seen it.
It was really interesting to see it and hear his thoughts on it all, the process was split into three parts and a short video was played before he explained how it went and more importantly how he was feeling at all stages.
It was a very interesting insight into his way of thinking and just how he approaches the high and lows of a season.
🏆 @CUSAsupporters Player of the Season: Jack Payne. A midfield maestro and fan favourite. Another well-earned honour in an outstanding debut season with the U's. 🔥#ColU | #WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/0uP0QqItix
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) May 2, 2025
After the season review, Danny did a Q and A but before this, he briefly switched into manager mode and for a better way of describing it, sent the players home to bed.
Danny and Nicky, in fact all the players and staff, were really appreciative of the support and took the time to speak to all.
Rubbing shoulders with the first team, managers and chairman does show how lucky we are to support a club lower down the pyramid. It still feels like we are all part of the club, instead of the sterile environment that the Premier League sides exist in.
No matter what happens in the Barrow game, it was an excellent night, with good food, great company and the chance to celebrate in a relaxed environment on a personal level with everyone that makes Colchester United the club it is.