Colchester United – Home is where the heart is...

As the dust settled on a roller coaster Season 1 in TFF, Rob Harris reflected on the events of the past season as he acclimatised himself in familiar territory after a brief break from the game. Colchester United had just just clinched the Div 4 title with 3 games to spare, a record breaking 109 goals scored which rose to 114, and a joyous party should have ensued. However, events were to transpire that rocked Colchester and the TFF GW to its core. Harris tended his shock resignation after a furious behind the scenes row with the board over future investment and the direction of the club. Fans were dismayed that this could happen at what should have been the happiest period of the club's history. Blame was apportioned to both Harris and the Board for allowing the situation to escalate and cloud what was a fantastic season. “I was in hindsight wrong to make such an impulsive decision which affected many others and I want to restore the faith and trust that the supporters had bestowed upon me during season 1.”

To see out the final remaining 3 matches, Colchester appointed interim manager Doc who ensured the club completed their final fixtures with 2 wins and a draw. Meanwhile, Rob Harris was in talks with the vacant post at Brentford, the recently promoted Division two side that had sacked their manager Roland Ratz after an identity scandal. Harris helped the club identify some early targets and was responsible for clearing out a lot of dead wood at Brentford following Ratz' departure. However, in an ironic twist of events, Brentford played away to Colchester in the final friendly in season 1. Harris was back at the Community Stadium less than a month after his departure and he received a rapturous ovation from the crowd. Colchester continued to sing his name and this pulled at the heart strings.

Colchester entertain Brentford in the final friendly of Season 1

“I spoke to Doc beforehand and thanked him for steadying the ship. We walked out with the teams and the reception I got overwhelmed me. I realised in that second the wrench it was leaving my hometown club and a massive sense of unfinished business started to enter into my psyche. I knew I had to return. I spoke to the Brentford board and said this isn't going to work, and Doc and I, over a couple of beers in the players lounge ,discussed the idea of swapping jobs. I was keen, Doc saw an opportunity to build a club up from scratch in his own identity, and after getting the OK from the boards (relieved they were not having to pay compensation to anybody) we got the decision ratified by CEO Nick Justice."

"On to Season 2, it wont be easy. Doc did sign 2 players that wont be featuring in the club's long term plans and ideally that money would still be there ready to invest in other areas. Some of the experienced players will be moved on and the short term plan is to bring the wage bill down, stabilise the club in Div 3 and continue to scout and develop young players and move them on for small profits. Colchester is a small club from a provincial town. We are not Real Madrid or Man City and never will be. We know our place. But we can compete. We can have dreams. We do dare to dream. The passion and fire is burning brightly inside me and I want the players to take their passion into Div 3. We have nothing to fear. It is a step up in class, and we are downsizing. But we can grow, step by step, brick by brick. There is a journey here and we not even halfway. Longterm I want to take Colchester to Div 1, I want to win cups, I want to take Colchester into Europe. Achieving any of this with any other club would feel hollow. I am back where I belong. Home”.