Dunne unveiled as the U's new boss

8:53am Thursday 27th September 2012 in Sport By Jonathan Waldron

Joe Dunne: Picture: WARREN PAGE Joe Dunne: Picture: WARREN PAGE

Joe Dunne is Colchester United’s new manager.

The 39-year-old has been unveiled as the successor to John Ward, who was sacked on Monday, at a press conference at the Weston Homes Community Stadium this morning.

Dunne was originally placed in temporary charge of the U’s, following Ward’s departure and has been given the role on a permanent basis.

His first game in charge will be the U’s home clash with Hartlepool United on Saturday.
Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling is a big admirer of Dunne, who has been on the coaching staff at the U’s for more than ten years.

And it seems as though he has put his faith in the Irishman to get Colchester back to winning ways, following their disastrous start to the season when they have failed to win any of their opening nine league and cup games.

The likes of Sean Dyche, George Burley and Mark Kinsella have been linked to the Colchester job this week, but Dunne was the bookmakers’ favourite to take over.

And he is a figure well-known to Colchester’s fans.

The tenacious full-back was signed by former boss Steve Wignall and made his first appearance as a U’s player in March 1996.

Ironically his debut came against Hartlepool, the same team who his team will face this weekend.

The Irishman went on to make 188 appearances and scored seven goals before a knee injury brought his playing career to a premature halt in 2001.

But his association with Colchester was far from over and Dunne has held jobs as head of the club’s youth section, reserve-team boss and first-team coach over the last 11 years.

He had four games in charge as caretaker boss after the departure of Paul Lambert to Norwich City, winning one game, drawing one and losing two, and was made assistant manager to Ward in June 2010.

And he has now been fully handed the reins with the task of turning the team’s fortunes around after their difficult start to the campaign.

See more on this story at www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport throughout the day and tomorrow’s paper for all the latest news and reaction on a memorable day at the U’s.

Comments(38)

Mr Honest says...
9:34am Thu 27 Sep 12

Well thats it for me now. No more attending games at this joke club. Yet again the club have gone for a cheap option. What happened to him being in charge temporarily to see how results go? Another embarrassment to the club. Laughingstock.com.

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TheExiledRat says...
9:57am Thu 27 Sep 12

An Open Letter to Robbie Cowling

We are third from bottom in the League, you sacked our Manager and have now employed a gentleman (and no offence to Joe Dunne...he is a U's Legend) with no managerial experience whatsoever. This is purely a monetary decision and has no basis on the skill and experience of the candidate. Mr. Cowling, having spent years of my life following this club, and literally having poured my heart, soul and tears into Colchester, you are now systematically ruining the only true passion that I have ever had. You talk about fans taking ownership of the club and getting behind the team, but it's pretty hard when we are having to watch our club play the way that they have been, week in week out. Let's look at some of the stupid errors that you have made....your friend Teddy Sheringham and his ridiculous wages being at the forefront of the many, many errors in judgement that spring to mind. The distance in which I am from Colchester right now, and the fact that I cannot watch the team I love live hurts, but what pains me even more is the way you are managing the 'business' that is Colchester United! You may not care about this club but I do, so thank you, from the bottom of my heart for this fantastic and ambitious appointment. I wish my season ticket was still a few rows from you so I could vent my views on you as I came out of the canteen that you call a hospitality section.....I am, and forever will be Colchester until I die, but you Sir have no understanding of the passion of a Colchester United football fan. How you manage a recruitent company with your history of recruitment is something I will never trully understand.

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Surb says...
10:07am Thu 27 Sep 12

Oh dear, rushed into yet another decision Mr Cowling.

You should of at least given him a try instead of appointing. Now if we get trashed (I hope we don't) on saturday. Then Joe dunne wouldn't be an ideal manager. In my eyes this appointment is very silly and the fans that left because of Ward, will not be coming back in a hurry.

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shaun_daw says...
10:20am Thu 27 Sep 12

cannot believe this news good luck to joe dunne but there are other managers outhere cowling bloody joke!!!!!

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Clacc says...
10:33am Thu 27 Sep 12

No offence to Joe ,just as with Ward you can't blame either for their appointment. It's just another "pragmatic" decision by a West Ham supporter with no passion for the Colchester United. apart from being the projection of his own ego.

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25414nora says...
10:36am Thu 27 Sep 12

As one door closes....another one
slams in your face.....

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Originally from ... says...
10:36am Thu 27 Sep 12

Cant believe some of these posts. For weeks now on here people have been asking for management that CARES about the club. We now have not one but two U's legends running things so surely that is good news in that respect. Lets face it this might be a "cheap" option but in reality this club is never going to be able to attract (and keep) a big name manager is it? We had names in the past and one did not stay and the other had us playing a brand of football everyone hated. Yes, it might be a gamble due to the lack of experience but then again Parky had little or none and look what he achieved for us.

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totallyfootball says...
10:43am Thu 27 Sep 12

Easy option again, League Two here we come!!!!!

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Layer Road Exile says...
10:57am Thu 27 Sep 12

Quite unfathomable. Cowling had the perfect opportunity to give Dunne six weeks or so to stake a real claim for the permanent position. And I have no doubt he would have pulled out all the stops to get the position in that time. If the signs after that period were not good, he would have been able to bring in a new manager and Dunne could have remained a part of the set up. Instead, Cowling rushes into a permanent appointment which, if it fails will mean that a great servant of the U's will undoubtedly have to leave. This ranks as possibly Cowlings most ridiculous decision and there have been a great number. I am beginning to wonder if the fortune that Cowling is squandering at Colchester United was not a case of being in the right place at the right time because he has shown a quite extraordinary lack of business acumen since taking over from Peter Heard. I sincerely hope that Dunne can turn things around and I wish him all the very best but I fear for the very future of the club whilst Cowling remains at the helm.

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jpis247 says...
10:59am Thu 27 Sep 12

Big names don't mean we're going to do well or play better football. Aidy Boothroyd was terrible. I think its better to have guys who actually care about the club, which Joe and Mark definitely do. Robbie knows its a gamble, hence the 1 year rolling contract, but it could turn out to be just what this club is after. All the week I've seen articles of passion within the camp, be it Morrison going off on one, Cowling attacking MP's or the Dunne/Kinsella appointment. At a club our size maybe its these type of passion that will get us through. Needless to say by Christmas I might be eating my own words but for now lets get behind our team.

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U's fan says...
11:08am Thu 27 Sep 12

Lots of West standers on here today!

Give the guys some support for Gods sake.

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crazy comments says...
11:26am Thu 27 Sep 12

For goodness sake give Joe a break. He has not even had one game in charge, so dont start judging him just yet. He took orders when working under J.W.and respected what he was asked to do. Im sure you will find things will change and he has his own ideas.. It wont happen over night neither. We all jumped up and down me included when Lambert was first appointed. We did not even know much about him. Just look what he has achieved. Joe is honest,has passion,vision and any good business man will tell you if you have that, your halfway to success. If Mark Kinsella is his number two then I think we have two very good people. Any true supporter will support the team whoever is in charge. I have done for 58 years now.

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norwood70 says...
11:36am Thu 27 Sep 12

Those people who are questioning Joe's experience. How many jobs had Phil Parkinson had before managing us - none! Joe had been involved in coaching for 10years he deserves a chance. Most importantly he loves the club; would rather him than a lambert, boothroyd type who will only be here for half a season.

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Swifty Morgan says...
11:51am Thu 27 Sep 12

Joe Dunne should be given a fair crack of the whip but as caretaker rather than a rushed permanent appointment. Smacks of the cheap option but could be an inspired appointment by Mr Cowling especially if the next fortnight goes to plan. However, if it goes pear shaped then a lot of the comments posted so far will have a ring of truth. Mark Kinsella coming as assistant is a good appointment though - played at the highest level, been to a World Cup and one of the best U's midfielders. Wordsworth would do well to look, learn and listen from the Irishman if he does come on board.

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TheCaptain says...
12:03pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Prove these idiots wrong Joe. I think you are the right man and the right time especially with the right right hand man, Mark.

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smith66 says...
12:12pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Everyone will be giving Joe Dunne a break and be fully behind him but what a strange decision. Surely you'd give him a few games so that you can make a more informed decision and see what the calibre of other applicants were like. After all, he was a part of the previous unsuccessful regime.

If it goes wrong (hope it doesn't), then I'm afraid Robbie is fully to blame for being so rash. Decision now been made though, so let's get behind the team.

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CVShrimper says...
12:19pm Thu 27 Sep 12

I'm a Southend fan and reading these comments reminds me of how i felt when we appointed Steve Tilson,the press had been saying we were getting Collymore,then Tilson was announced! Cheap option,no ambition etc,but look at what he did for us,like Dunne he was an ex player with the club at heart. I hope he does a similar job for you.
Good luck for the rest of the season. Hopefully see you next year in League 1!!!!!

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Ozzie says...
12:20pm Thu 27 Sep 12

What a joke! I thought you would have had more guile than that Mr Cowling, to appoint a new person. You have just gone for the easy option. It will just be 'same old, same old'. What a useless decision! I like Joe but I don't think he has the necessary respect of the players here at Colchester to take the club forward. Just proves you have no interest other than the business/prawn sandwich brigade of your associates you value more than the true football fans at Colchester! I will of course, support my local team, but I am very disheartened at this 'on the rebound' response! Let us all hope for the club's sake your 'cheap option' proves me wrong! Good luck, Joe, you are going to need it!! Division two here we come! Up the U's!!

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Ozzie says...
12:20pm Thu 27 Sep 12

What a joke! I thought you would have had more guile than that Mr Cowling, to appoint a new person. You have just gone for the easy option. It will just be 'same old, same old'. What a useless decision! I like Joe but I don't think he has the necessary respect of the players here at Colchester to take the club forward. Just proves you have no interest other than the business/prawn sandwich brigade of your associates you value more than the true football fans at Colchester! I will of course, support my local team, but I am very disheartened at this 'on the rebound' response! Let us all hope for the club's sake your 'cheap option' proves me wrong! Good luck, Joe, you are going to need it!! Division two here we come! Up the U's!!

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Boris says...
12:23pm Thu 27 Sep 12

How fickle can some people get! They announce they are coming back for the Monkeyhangers game so as to celebrate John Ward being sacked. Then when they hear Joe Dunne has got the job permanently, they say they are not coming after all.
.
They can rest assured that if the U's go another seven straight games without a win, Joe Dunne and Mark Kinsella will be out on their ears, for Cowling can afford to pay them off. But we are going to see some wins now, and Joe and Mark are going to lead us up into mid-table safety.
.
Up the U's.

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Barside1 says...
12:28pm Thu 27 Sep 12

I'm surprised Joe has been appointed this early as I thought Robbie Cowling may have left his decision for at least 4 games or so.

I expected an interview process which would have included Joe Dunne as an applicant.

It would seem that the decision to replace John Ward with Joe Dunne may have been waiting in the wings for some considerable time.

Anyway, Good Luck Joe!

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Colukev86 says...
12:47pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Im actually embarrassed to be associated with you guys.

Call yourself true fans? How about a little support once in a while.

No matter who is manager, they dont stand a chance with fans like ours.

Its you who are making this club the laughing stock.

Total disgrace.

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We're not singing anymore!!! says...
1:08pm Thu 27 Sep 12

I have to say that I was shocked with the appointment of Dunne. I don't doubt that he has the clubs best intensions at heart and will probably show a lot more passion than Ward did on the sidelines. But surely Dunne has to take some responsibility in the poor run of results we had under Ward.

He wouldn't have been my choice for manager.

Saying all that though..... I do promise to give him the benefit of the doubt and cheer him on, as well as the team.

At this moment in time the fans, players and club have to be united. How can we say if he's going to be good or bad when we've not even played a game under him. I can't make Saturday's game but I will be returning to cheer on the U's again in the near future.

Congratulations Joe and Best of Luck.

Up the U's

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Simon1986 says...
1:08pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Colukev86 wrote:
Im actually embarrassed to be associated with you guys.

Call yourself true fans? How about a little support once in a while.

No matter who is manager, they dont stand a chance with fans like ours.

Its you who are making this club the laughing stock.

Total disgrace.
And your views on this article are?

Goodluck Joe, I hope you do well. You have my support.

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U's fan says...
1:23pm Thu 27 Sep 12

More news coming later apparently sounds like a few new faces coming in to the club.

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Simon1986 says...
1:28pm Thu 27 Sep 12

U's fan wrote:
More news coming later apparently sounds like a few new faces coming in to the club.
Like who?

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crazy comments says...
1:56pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Boris wrote:
How fickle can some people get! They announce they are coming back for the Monkeyhangers game so as to celebrate John Ward being sacked. Then when they hear Joe Dunne has got the job permanently, they say they are not coming after all. . They can rest assured that if the U's go another seven straight games without a win, Joe Dunne and Mark Kinsella will be out on their ears, for Cowling can afford to pay them off. But we are going to see some wins now, and Joe and Mark are going to lead us up into mid-table safety. . Up the U's.
Well said Boris

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Boris says...
2:47pm Thu 27 Sep 12

crazy comments wrote:
Boris wrote:
How fickle can some people get! They announce they are coming back for the Monkeyhangers game so as to celebrate John Ward being sacked. Then when they hear Joe Dunne has got the job permanently, they say they are not coming after all. . They can rest assured that if the U's go another seven straight games without a win, Joe Dunne and Mark Kinsella will be out on their ears, for Cowling can afford to pay them off. But we are going to see some wins now, and Joe and Mark are going to lead us up into mid-table safety. . Up the U's.
Well said Boris
Thanks, crazy. I seldom agree with you on politics, but on football you are usually spot on. Let's hope Joe Dunne makes full use of the players he has available, such as John White, and that he gives some others such as Rose, Morrison and Wordsworth a nice long rest on the bench.

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super waluigi says...
4:17pm Thu 27 Sep 12

A big move for Joe Dunne and Mark Kinsella. Congrats to both of them for making it into football league management.

I have no doubt in mind that Joe can be successful at Colchester United. He might need time though.

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super waluigi says...
4:22pm Thu 27 Sep 12

crazy comments wrote:
For goodness sake give Joe a break. He has not even had one game in charge, so dont start judging him just yet. He took orders when working under J.W.and respected what he was asked to do. Im sure you will find things will change and he has his own ideas.. It wont happen over night neither. We all jumped up and down me included when Lambert was first appointed. We did not even know much about him. Just look what he has achieved. Joe is honest,has passion,vision and any good business man will tell you if you have that, your halfway to success. If Mark Kinsella is his number two then I think we have two very good people. Any true supporter will support the team whoever is in charge. I have done for 58 years now.
I think we are starting to get on!!!!

We may not always agree on politics or football. On any levels even. But I agree that you simply cannot judge someone with out any foundation to base it on.

Welcome to my Fence Crazy.

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U's fan says...
4:39pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Simon1986 wrote:
U's fan wrote:
More news coming later apparently sounds like a few new faces coming in to the club.
Like who?
Sorry Simon I have only just seen this the news is out now anyway!

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25414nora says...
4:55pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Boris wrote:
How fickle can some people get! They announce they are coming back for the Monkeyhangers game so as to celebrate John Ward being sacked. Then when they hear Joe Dunne has got the job permanently, they say they are not coming after all.
.
They can rest assured that if the U's go another seven straight games without a win, Joe Dunne and Mark Kinsella will be out on their ears, for Cowling can afford to pay them off. But we are going to see some wins now, and Joe and Mark are going to lead us up into mid-table safety.
.
Up the U's.
You're right there Boris. If the u's go on
another stretch without a win, It will be doom for J.D and ...MARK ANTHONY (Kinsella) and like CAESAR..the knives will be out..BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH!!!!

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Catboy says...
7:32pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Great news! I think it's great that RC hasn't taken the easy option of giving the caretaker a few games (which most Chairman would) - if you think he is the right man for the job sign him up. No-one on this message board (including myself) knows anythin about Joe's credentials as a manager, and that is the same for any manager starting out. So judge him at the end of the season.

Lets get right behind Joe and Mark, and recognise that it will take time to turn this around.

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Eddy D says...
7:35pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Reading the start of this thread I thought "Oh God here we go again...." with the moaners out in force but thankfully common sense has prevailed and more people have gone for the positive approach toward the middle and end of the thread. Some people on here would moan about having to take a winning lottery ticket to a shop to get it verified I think. I have been wary of the possibility of Joe Dunne taking this job at this time, I simply want him in charge when he can really do well and dont want him being our Bryan Gunn. I have ALWAYS wanted him, one day, to lead us to glory. Anyone who complains about emotion, passion or determination and care for our club will need to find somethin else now to cling to because Joe will bring these things in spades. With Mark Kinsella we have not only someone with those same characterisitcs but also someone who is playing the game the right way. We have two genuine legends of our club in charge now. They have my backing 100%. Cheap option it may be but this could be the smartest decision made at this club for a long time. Like it or not give them a chance, turn up on Saturday and get behind OUR club and lets see what we can achieve. Good luck Joe and Mark, I'm with you all the way.

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uptheu's says...
10:59pm Thu 27 Sep 12

I just can't believe the negative and purile comments. Some people just like a good moan. Both Joe Dunne and Mark Kinsella sweated blood for this club. If either of them show half the passion and effort they showed when playing, they'll be absolutely fine. Who was that was shouting at the players when John Ward was manager? Yes, Joe Dunne. If any of the players think they'll be in for an easy ride they can think again. They'll be made to work a **** sight harder than they have done for the past two years under John Ward. Oh, and by the way, I think Robbie Cowling is doing an excellent job. Andy - Up the U's

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Wayland says...
4:27am Fri 28 Sep 12

Mr Honest wrote:
Well thats it for me now. No more attending games at this joke club. Yet again the club have gone for a cheap option. What happened to him being in charge temporarily to see how results go? Another embarrassment to the club. Laughingstock.com.
The only embarrassment here is your response.Parkinson came here without any managerial experience and got us promoted. We now have 2 Colcheter Legends at the helm, and 3 quality signings today.....what do you want? Mancini? Wenger? Ferguson?

Back in the real world we support and give 100% backing to our new management crew. Watch us rise up the table!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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crazy comments says...
5:36pm Fri 28 Sep 12

super waluigi wrote:
crazy comments wrote: For goodness sake give Joe a break. He has not even had one game in charge, so dont start judging him just yet. He took orders when working under J.W.and respected what he was asked to do. Im sure you will find things will change and he has his own ideas.. It wont happen over night neither. We all jumped up and down me included when Lambert was first appointed. We did not even know much about him. Just look what he has achieved. Joe is honest,has passion,vision and any good business man will tell you if you have that, your halfway to success. If Mark Kinsella is his number two then I think we have two very good people. Any true supporter will support the team whoever is in charge. I have done for 58 years now.
I think we are starting to get on!!!! We may not always agree on politics or football. On any levels even. But I agree that you simply cannot judge someone with out any foundation to base it on. Welcome to my Fence Crazy.
Super I never fall out with anyone. Lifes to short to hold grievances. I do know one thing about you which I respect, and that your Col Utd through and through and a true supporter.

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pjhrt says...
4:46pm Wed 24 Oct 12

I hope you mongs are choking on that humble pie.

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