Ward has support of Colchester United board

9:14am Tuesday 18th September 2012 in Sport By Jonathan Waldron

Backing - manager John Ward has the full support of the Colchester United board, despite the U's disappointing start to the season. Backing - manager John Ward has the full support of the Colchester United board, despite the U's disappointing start to the season.

John Ward has the full support of the Colchester United board - despite the club’s dire start to the season.

U’s chairman Robbie Cowling and his directors remain fully behind their manager, according to general manager Tim Waddington.

Some Colchester supporters have called for Ward to be replaced in the U’s hot seat, after they failed to win any of their first six league games.

Struggling Colchester head into tonight’s home game against Crawley Town bottom of League One, after their worst start to a season in decades.

However, Waddington insisted that Cowling and his fellow directors are fully behind Ward, despite their lowly league position.

Waddington said: “We’re not looking to replace John.

“He has the support of Robbie Cowling, the board and everyone at the club.

“The merry-go-round will not be starting here and the club has a structure to stick to.

“John will be feeling a certain amount of pressure but that’s only the pressure that he puts on himself.

“We firmly believe that what we are doing throughout the football club, in terms of our philosophy throughout the age groups, is the right one.

“We won’t be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

“We’ve had a fairly hard start to the season but the results have been pretty fair, so far.

“We have to get that first win - John knows that and everybody knows that.

“But both he and Joe Dunne will be working extremely hard to find ways to get it tonight.”

See Tuesday's Gazette for more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, including a full preview of the U's clash with Crawley Town.

Comments(32)

We're not singing anymore!!! says...
9:18am Tue 18 Sep 12

Thanks for confirming that. I was undecided about going to the match tonight and this has made my mind up.

I'm not going to waste any more money while Ward is in charge.

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Feisty CBC says...
9:42am Tue 18 Sep 12

He has had more than a "fair crack of the whip". Supporters opininons are not based solely on the dire start to this season (worst in 37 years) but the one win in the past 20 competitive matches and the awful football that is being served up as "entertainment" over the past two seasons.

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ranter125 says...
10:03am Tue 18 Sep 12

"but the results have been pretty fair, so far"

Ok - so if we extrapolate the results over the rest of the season - we'd have 23 points!

I know it's not all about results, but it is about entertainment.

Robbie finances the club and it's his baby, and he has every right to make whatever decision he feels is right.

I don't agree with him, and I, along with many others, will not be attending games until decisions which will improve the value for money supporters receive are taken.

That's the consequence of his decision.

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Surb says...
10:10am Tue 18 Sep 12

“We’ve had a fairly hard start to the season but the results have been pretty fair, so far."

HAHA! So fair is bottom of the league is this really what the club wants?
As a General Manager it suprises me that you can't see the crowds decreasing in numbers very surprising. Also to the fact that customers (supports/fans) and not getting their voice heard.

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Surb says...
10:11am Tue 18 Sep 12

are*

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itsawedge says...
10:16am Tue 18 Sep 12

I know I'm not there to watch the team I've supported since the 60's, wish i could get back for all the home games.
Most of the posts are against Ward which personally I don't agree with, some of the blame must be directed at the players for the poor start, for example was it Wards fault that Cousins made a hash of his clearance, was it Wards fault that Bond headed an own goal, was it Wards fault that in recent games both Bean and Sears have hit the crossbar, had none of these mistakes happened and both Bean and Sears scored we would have a possible 6 more points, so I say get off Wards back and give both him and the team the support they need.

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United we stand says...
10:17am Tue 18 Sep 12

Along with "we're not singing", "ranter" and countless others...I will not be attending tonight's match following this sorry confirmation of JW's position.
I do not intend wasting my time and money any further than the six games that I have already signed up to through my Quarter-Season ticket - and now I wish I hadn't been so rash about that, either!!

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totallyfootball says...
10:32am Tue 18 Sep 12

Kiss of death usually?

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Matthegame says...
10:48am Tue 18 Sep 12

Ok this statement has come 24 hours earlier than it should have really.
I don't doubt the clubs ethos of concentrating on building every department and age group to the same set of principles. I applaud that. Cowling and team know how to run an operation and I don't doubt that.
The concern I have and I'm sure the majority of fans share, is that the man at the footballing head of this pyramid isn't up to task.
Ward has never inspired the fans both on the pitch and through his defensive and poorly delivered interviews. PR is a big part of the job, the manager needs to instil confidence in the supporters that they're going to see a good game of football. He neither does that, and certainly doesn't deliver even the basic results a club with our squad quality should expect.
His principles I think are right, he wants the team to play the right way. Do the team look motivated and signed up to the ethos? No, not really. 1 win in 20 proves that.
I haven't been this depressed with the team since the last days of Whitton. How long can the board support this level of form and supporter disenchantment?
You don't have to reinvent the wheel or change the club ethos, but you can recruit someone at the top of the footballing pyramid more suited to delivering that message.

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Colchesterlad says...
10:50am Tue 18 Sep 12

I have to say, i also have signed up for the quarter season ticket offering but have exchanged tonight's game and further games going forward. The attendance against Doncaster was just under 3,400 approx with Doncaster bringing 434 supporters. Colchester were getting more when in the Confrence!

John Ward's record speaks for its self 1 win in 20 games!!! that is just horrendous....it is his own fault with only 2 recognised strikers........

Morrison - who is to be fair is at the end of his career and Young Freddie

Sears - who last year was not given a chance in the team.

John Ward on the touchline has lost all respect from the fans and players he offers nothing on the sidelines apart from a clap which is uninspiring, the players tend to listen to Joey Dunne more.... Please get rid off the Chocolate Teapot!!

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We're not singing anymore!!! says...
10:52am Tue 18 Sep 12

itsawedge wrote:
I know I'm not there to watch the team I've supported since the 60's, wish i could get back for all the home games. Most of the posts are against Ward which personally I don't agree with, some of the blame must be directed at the players for the poor start, for example was it Wards fault that Cousins made a hash of his clearance, was it Wards fault that Bond headed an own goal, was it Wards fault that in recent games both Bean and Sears have hit the crossbar, had none of these mistakes happened and both Bean and Sears scored we would have a possible 6 more points, so I say get off Wards back and give both him and the team the support they need.
Without being rude, as you've been a lifelong U's supporter and I fully respect that. How can you comment on Ward if you haven't attend many home games recently ? The comments made about Ward are generally from people who have seen the match. Seen his poor and boring tactics, his mistakes like not using Subs and his general body language.

Yes Ward can't control the throw out from Cousins or the own goal from Bond. Or Bean and Sears hitting the post. But as a manager it is his job to LEAD and MOTIVATE his players.

When the U's got relegated from the Championship they went down fighting and I think most people recognised that.

At the moment we look Boring, Clueless, Predictable and certain for relegation.

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Feisty CBC says...
11:16am Tue 18 Sep 12

If we get stuffed by Creepy tonight, just watch the attendances drop like a stone.

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RB, Lexden says...
11:18am Tue 18 Sep 12

Carlisle supremo David Allen today
insisted that John Ward is the right man to turn around their season,despite the Blues hitting their worst losing run for
five years.
"Our thoughts are very clear on this.We think John is 100 per cent the right guy" said Allen "We think he is the best manager in the league and he wants to turn this around more than anybody.The team are deflated and confidence has gone,but we have to get behind them"
Source : The Cumberland News,October 13,2008.
Three weeks later ,on November 3,2008,John Ward left Carlisle
"by mutual consent."

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Feisty CBC says...
11:27am Tue 18 Sep 12

RB, Lexden wrote:
Carlisle supremo David Allen today
insisted that John Ward is the right man to turn around their season,despite the Blues hitting their worst losing run for
five years.
"Our thoughts are very clear on this.We think John is 100 per cent the right guy" said Allen "We think he is the best manager in the league and he wants to turn this around more than anybody.The team are deflated and confidence has gone,but we have to get behind them"
Source : The Cumberland News,October 13,2008.
Three weeks later ,on November 3,2008,John Ward left Carlisle
"by mutual consent."
Groundhog day coming for Mr.Ward?

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25414nora says...
12:22pm Tue 18 Sep 12

So refreshing to see..Loyalty, Faithfulness, and confidence is still alive and well in the sporting world.

I applaud Mr Cowling and his board
for expressing their complete confidence in manager Ward.

Regardless of what happens to our fortunes in the short term, Colchester united will survive and thrive, thanks
to careful guidence of mr Cowling and his board.

One can understand (to a degree)
the negative feelings of some supporters,..But as the Chairman says lets not throw out the baby with the bathwater...Up the U's...
.

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We're not singing anymore!!! says...
12:46pm Tue 18 Sep 12

One win in twenty !! Over how many weeks is that ? So how old is this baby ? I'd say a toddler by now.

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Surb says...
1:13pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Nora, why do you think what the board are doing is good? I take you you dont go to watch the games or see the performances? Maybe you should and see what the rest of us supporters see, the lack of ambition, fitness, motivation, drive in the players all down to the manager. Hes history in management says it all.

Plus it wasn't the Chairman that said that it was Tim Waddington.

"itsawedge" I have to disagree with you here, it is the manager's fault and not so much the players. The players are obviously told to play defensive (even that they can't even do properly), also whoes idea is it for 451 formation... yes the managers so thats why we are struggling we have no form of attack mentality.

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Feisty CBC says...
1:31pm Tue 18 Sep 12

It's because fans clearly care about their club they have obviously had a gut full of Mr. Ward & co. As for throwing the baby out with the bath water this is exactly what Mr. Cowling intends to do regarding the youth set up if the appeal doesn't go "our" way. Which indeed is more worrying than the current debacle regarding the management.
Don't know why we can't comment on Jon Waldron's latest article. Suffice to say, you can't keep flogging a dead donkey.
Up the U's!

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smith66 says...
1:33pm Tue 18 Sep 12

I am another one of many who refrain from going while Ward is in charge. Unfortunately, Mr Cowling has painted himself into a corner with his arrogant 'safest job in football' comment. It's the entertainment on offer as much as the results in my opinion. Every season follows the same path; Ward sticking with 4-5-1 until the fan power gets him to change to 4-4-2. I think the final straw came in the Brentford game, when no changes were made in hot conditions. I was very disappointed with BBC Essex for not aking about it after the game. Finally, what has happened to Drey Wright? He sounded very promising at the very start of the season.

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smith66 says...
1:33pm Tue 18 Sep 12

I am another one of many who refrain from going while Ward is in charge. Unfortunately, Mr Cowling has painted himself into a corner with his arrogant 'safest job in football' comment. It's the entertainment on offer as much as the results in my opinion. Every season follows the same path; Ward sticking with 4-5-1 until the fan power gets him to change to 4-4-2. I think the final straw came in the Brentford game, when no changes were made in hot conditions. I was very disappointed with BBC Essex for not aking about it after the game. Finally, what has happened to Drey Wright? He sounded very promising at the very start of the season.

Report this post »

smith66 says...
1:33pm Tue 18 Sep 12

I am another one of many who refrain from going while Ward is in charge. Unfortunately, Mr Cowling has painted himself into a corner with his arrogant 'safest job in football' comment. It's the entertainment on offer as much as the results in my opinion. Every season follows the same path; Ward sticking with 4-5-1 until the fan power gets him to change to 4-4-2. I think the final straw came in the Brentford game, when no changes were made in hot conditions. I was very disappointed with BBC Essex for not aking about it after the game. Finally, what has happened to Drey Wright? He sounded very promising at the very start of the season.

Report this post »

smith66 says...
1:33pm Tue 18 Sep 12

I am another one of many who refrain from going while Ward is in charge. Unfortunately, Mr Cowling has painted himself into a corner with his arrogant 'safest job in football' comment. It's the entertainment on offer as much as the results in my opinion. Every season follows the same path; Ward sticking with 4-5-1 until the fan power gets him to change to 4-4-2. I think the final straw came in the Brentford game, when no changes were made in hot conditions. I was very disappointed with BBC Essex for not aking about it after the game. Finally, what has happened to Drey Wright? He sounded very promising at the very start of the season.

Report this post »

colutdoldoaktree says...
1:34pm Tue 18 Sep 12

John Ward is clueless....
I have more passion in my big toe than he has in his entire body.
1 win in 20 speaks volumes..

If he made 1 correct delivery in 20 as a courier would he still be in a job...

A plea to Mr Cowling and the board:
Please get rid of John Ward and get in a manager that has passion and not archaic in his tactics..
Now in his 3rd season at The U's and we are worse than he took over.
1-11 we have a good team used right..
No wonder the likes of Clinton Morrison questions the tanned man..

I too will no longer be attending matches whilst this man is in charge..
I have always been told as a player when things are not going well you look at the manager for divine inspiration...
By throwing your hands in the air or sitting on the bench with head in your hands just isn't the way to act..

Ward Out!!

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smith66 says...
1:36pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Sorry about the duplicate posts. It's not worth reading three times!

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United we stand says...
1:42pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Well done smith66 - you have just managed something that col utd fans and so-called col utd strikers can only dream of: A HAT-TRICK!

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Feisty CBC says...
1:50pm Tue 18 Sep 12

United we stand wrote:
Well done smith66 - you have just managed something that col utd fans and so-called col utd strikers can only dream of: A HAT-TRICK!
bahahahaha :)

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wellnow says...
1:56pm Tue 18 Sep 12

it is of no account now wether u's win or lose.any gild that was present at wards appointment has dimmed and will not brighten again.he must be changed,it would be better if on reviving the clubs fortunes,if that be possible,he then just walked away.

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smith66 says...
2:21pm Tue 18 Sep 12

United we stand wrote:
Well done smith66 - you have just managed something that col utd fans and so-called col utd strikers can only dream of: A HAT-TRICK!
Very good, I asked for that! I should add that I'm not really having a go at the players, I think that we have a reasonable bunch in general. I think that most fans will concur on that.

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25414nora says...
3:40pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Surb wrote:
Nora, why do you think what the board are doing is good? I take you you dont go to watch the games or see the performances? Maybe you should and see what the rest of us supporters see, the lack of ambition, fitness, motivation, drive in the players all down to the manager. Hes history in management says it all.

Plus it wasn't the Chairman that said that it was Tim Waddington.

"itsawedge" I have to disagree with you here, it is the manager's fault and not so much the players. The players are obviously told to play defensive (even that they can't even do properly), also whoes idea is it for 451 formation... yes the managers so thats why we are struggling we have no form of attack mentality.
S.U.R.B...Is it true. Your call sign stands for...
S ouhend. U nited. R eject. B oo-boy ?

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super waluigi says...
4:52pm Tue 18 Sep 12

I am pleased that the board has come out and said something.
I am pleased that it is positive too.

As I have said before, I think you have to give John Ward 6 weeks now to rescue our season.

I think all fans of Colchester united want only what is best for the club. I just wish that the same mundane fans would stop the same boring lines about Ward!!!! GET OVER IT OR DON'T GO.

Oh and stop telling us that you are not going till Ward has gone WE KNOW

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crazy comments says...
5:10pm Tue 18 Sep 12

I have blogged on here so many times during the last couple of seasons in comparing how other teams that I had seen play,were far superior to us,in the way they played football. Not one game at home in the last few seasons, can I honestly remember us having complete domination,plus we never seem to be able to defend leads when we do get them. Last year when we won at Charlton, must have been the most luckiest game we will ever win. Everyone thought it was a fantastic result but in reality Charlton should have won 6 0 which would have been a better reflection on the game. I never fellt elated then because I knew it was a fluke result and that we had played awful, which was pretty much the same at every away game that I watched the U's last season. When I mentioned other teams like Swindon and Crawley that I had seen play with passion and fire I was knocked by a few people on this site. Through having the kind of management in place that installs this,you can see why they were successfull. I will still be going to this evenings game to support the lads though I am highly dissapointed with Mr Cowlings response to the supporters of Col Utd.

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We're not singing anymore!!! says...
5:19pm Tue 18 Sep 12

super waluigi wrote:
I am pleased that the board has come out and said something. I am pleased that it is positive too. As I have said before, I think you have to give John Ward 6 weeks now to rescue our season. I think all fans of Colchester united want only what is best for the club. I just wish that the same mundane fans would stop the same boring lines about Ward!!!! GET OVER IT OR DON'T GO. Oh and stop telling us that you are not going till Ward has gone WE KNOW
Six weeks could be to long too to be able to make a comeback from whatever damage Ward has done. A new manager will need several weeks to make changes.

You're right about all fans of Colchester United wanting what's best for the club.

Do you not think that your same mundane comments are boring too ? If people want to moan about Ward on here they have as much right as you do. Your comments generally sit on the fence or defend him. I try to see it from your point view but quite honestly your views seem to be the minority compared to everyone else on here. But you are still entitled to them.

I'm not going tonight, not even to chant WARD OUT.

Up the U's

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