Colchester United fans on Steve Ball's departure

U's fans have been providing their reaction to the news of Ball's departure.

Malachi

Sound like a lovely bloke and most importantly a Colchester man he just wasn’t good enough lacked the experience but wish him all the best

Si

Steve is a top bloke. Who you could see had the the passion and drive for the job. He gave his all and sadly it wasn’t to be. I really had everything crossed that he would do well. But sadly wasn’t to be. But I think the problems run deeper than this and the system is at fault.

Elvin King

Bless him, but a very poor money-saving appointment John. No substance to suggest he had the wherewithal to succeed. Concerned now that my pre-season bet at 16-1 on Colchester being relegated may not now pay off.

Michael Richards

Sacking managers isn't the route to success, the real question to be asked is was he ever the right man for the job?... Wish him well for the future... Our manager/coach recruitment has to be better than it was last time around.

Brad

really liked steve ball in terms of a guy, clearly always positive and tried to get the best out of a game. there was only so much of a job he could do with his hands tied behind his back. as a manager though, not up to scratch but only wish the best for him in the future.

Charlie Smith

Yes he was out of his depth but didn’t deserve to be scapegoated like this. Not the problem at all - it does seem like humes picks the team and runs the show. I’d say get him out but I’d be surprised if there’s literally any money left after ball’s compensation

Joshua Crysell

Bitter sweet. Was a lovely bloke and most importantly a Colchester man but he just wasn't good enough and it would be ignorant to keep him for any longer. Wish him nothing but the best for the future

GCtiger07

It’s the internal route every time that’s the problem. Hard to know truth but if manager doesn’t have full control we’ll struggle to get decent external appointment so will continue in this cycle unless get lucky with internal inexperienced option hitting success.

Andy Glenister

Shouldn’t have been given the job due to his clear lack of experience, maybe a good coach, but not up to the top job. He isn’t the real issue though, Cowling shouldn’t have appointed him. Humes is the problem in this club and I’m so happy that everyone is now catching on to this.

adamwalker CUFC

It’s the right thing to do. We still need to get rid off humes and de Souza because the system dose not work at all. We can’t afford to go internal again. We need an experienced manager because this the only way we’re going to get out of this situation.

Herbie

Feel no joy at him being sacked. Yes it was the right decision but it was the wrong decision to give him the job in the first place. The bigger issue is those above the manager. Constant poor decisions and blind refusal to change the "philosophy" is killing this club.

Michael O'Brien

Was out of his depth, but his appointment also reflects the failings of the current structure in the club which has failed. Time for an external appointment, or give Mullins the job until the end of the season and then appoint externally.

Ryan Fairhead

Unfortunately it was wrong time, he could have been a good manager but coming off the back of 2 promotion pushes we needed some to take us up to that next level and unfortunately he wasn’t the man!!

Ben Harrison

Shame it hasn't worked out for a guy who is a Colchester man but ultimately results just haven't been good enough we cant be doing another cheap internal appointment we have to go outside the club with our League status in genuine danger

Steve Lowe

Nice bloke and I know he’s been at the club in different roles but never management material. We need someone from outside to be the new boss

Dan Devine

Can we please hire an actual experienced manager instead of whoever fancies it at the club and hoping they manage it?

Euan Shepherd

Nice guy but he was never ready from the start, lacked experience and was hung out to dry by the board.

Oli Boylan

Nice bloke and passionate about the club we all love. He should never have been put in that position for head coach but you can’t blame him for snapping up the opportunity. Best decision all round to let him go and wish him well for the future wherever that may lead him.

Matt

I feel for the man because he was way out of his depth and this is what happens when cowling hires from within controlling him like a puppet... Steve done the right thing for the sake of the club which I respect him for he did have to go but nothing will change with humes as DoF

Harry

Was never good enough, nothing personal against him

Sean

A decent bloke who I hope gets another job, maybe even at the club, but the results and performances spoke for themselves. Most players seemed to regress under him as well.

Dave B

Wanted him to succeed being a Colchester man and its never nice to see someone lose their job. For the clubs sake it was the right decision as we haven't performed well enough this season. I don't envy RC as the next appointment is massive.

Dr Steve Wood

Great shame it didn't work out as Steve is a ColU man through & through. He was always on the backfoot with the fans after the shambolic announcement of his appointment and the non-signing of a striker

David

Good! Well out of his depth, Humes and De Souza both need to leave.

John Munson

Getting rid of ball will be pointless if we are just going to replace him with another puppet to implement the 'philosophy' the whole structure is rotten from top to bottom and has slowly choked everything that was good out of this club.

Anthony Clachan

He sounded like a really nice bloke but lack of experience and poor subs and that were just not good enough as well as the football being very bad but the blame has to go on Cowling as well for appointing someone inside of the club instead of outside.

Carlchester United

It had to happen, but like so many before him you wonder how much freedom to manage he had

Priesty

I almost feel bad for Ball, but it was definetely the right decision for the club. However it will be pointless sacking him if we appoint someone internal as his replacement. I think we need new ideas from external managers.

Stuart Garrard

Sadly a manager out of his depth. I wish him well but we need a strong, experienced man to get us out of this division in the RIGHT direction.