Sam Stringer rounds up the transfer window action for Colchester…
In what was Tony Humes’ first ever transfer window as a professional manager, January saw the Colchester boss considerably reshape the squad he had inherited from Joe Dunne.
Having spent the entirety of the window still stuck in League One’s relegation zone it was clear to all that the Essex outfit needed to change if they are to avoid the drop for a third straight season.
So when U’s fans heard the news that top scorer and fan favourite Freddie Sears was off to local rivals Ipswich, hope of survival was considerably dampened.
Sears had scored 14 goals in 29 appearances this season which was his most prolific since signing from West Ham, with his contract due to run out in Summer Colchester cashed in.
However, the hole left by Sears was soon plugged with experienced Sheffield United striker Chris Porter who had plenty of joy scoring against Colchester in the past.
The 31-year old joined on a free and was straight into U’s starting line-up midway through January; his first two starts providing a goal and an assist which earned U’s a vital four points.
The strike force was soon bolstered by Jack Marriott, a young striker who had flourished at the U21 level for Ipswich Town and now looking to prove himself on loan for the remainder of the season.
Fellow Ipswich teammate Elliott Hewitt has been a familiar face in the U’s line-up since initially joining on loan in October, and January saw him agree on a new one-month deal extending his stay.
With goals scarce Tony Humes also secured the loan signing of Tottenham winger Kenneth McEvoy who’s also out to prove himself with a remainder-of-season loan deal at Colchester.
Going on the other way was the rock at the back Kaspars Gorkss; the veteran defender had made nine appearances and scored one goal during his short stay before signing for Greek side Ergotelis.
Again Humes had utilised the free transfer market and already covered his defensive options with the acquisition of Alex Wynter from Crystal Palace, who was quick to step into Gorkss’ place.
The versatile defender had previously enjoyed a loan spell with U’s late last season and was happy to make the switch to back to League One, signing an 18-month deal.
West Ham defender Jamie Harney made a similar move to Colchester; having already been on loan since November he had impressed for the U21 side and made his switch permanent.
The final defensive change of the window for U’s saw full back Mathew Briggs join straight into the first team and earn a clean sheet in his first start, joining on loan from Millwall for four months.
The Colchester boss also saw fit to part ways with several out-of-favour players, the first of which was Marcus Bean who cancelled his contract and signed for League Two leaders Wycombe.
Injury-stricken Josh Thompson was a Joe Dunne signing and had been out on loan at Tranmere in the first half of the season before the Merseyside outfit signed him permanently.
Deadline day also saw former Arsenal midfielder Craig Eastmond leave U’s by mutual consent; having lost his place in the side he sought first-team football which Tony Humes couldn’t give him.
Elsewhere striker Dan Holman moved on loan to Vanarama Conference side Dover Athletic, following loans to Wrexham and Aldershot already in what is his debut season at Colchester.
IN
- Alex Wynter; free transfer (Crystal Palace)
- Jamie Harney; free transfer (West Ham United)
- Elliott Hewitt; loan (Ipswich Town)
- Chris Porter; free transfer (Sheffield United)
- Jack Marriott; loan (Ipswich Town)
- Mathew Briggs; loan (Millwall)
- Kenneth McEvoy; loan (Tottenham)
OUT
- Marcus Bean; released (signed for Wycombe Wanderers)
- Freddie Sears; undisclosed transfer (Ipswich Town)
- Josh Thompson; free transfer (Tranmere Rovers)
- Kaspars Gorkss; free transfer (Ergotelis)
- Craig Eastmond; released
- Dan Holman; loan (Dover Athletic)