Colne United FC

Well done to all of our 2025/26 award winners 👏

Special congratulations to the evergreen Jamie Holmes who also scooped the coveted Premier League Player of the Year award.

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We are delighted to announce Dave Swarbrick as the new first team manager. He brings a wealth of experience both as a former player and manager. His number two is Jack Simmonite. They have worked incredibly hard already this year behind the scenes and have announced an extensive pre-season fixture list

The news we’ve all been waiting for ….

𝐒𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝟑-𝟑 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐧𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 [𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 & 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 - 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫]

Colne finished their season with a share of the spoils as they twice came from behind to earn a much-needed point.

Colne started slowly and found themselves a goal down after 15 minutes following a well-worked Sutton move. That setback appeared to wake the visitors up, and they dominated the remainder of the half, drawing level midway through when Lee Hartley scrambled the ball over the line after neat play from Charlie Sharples.

Colne could have gone in ahead at the break, but a mixture of missed half-chances and fine goalkeeping kept the score at 1–1.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Colne again starting slowly despite looking the more likely side to score next. Sutton gradually grew into the game, and a defensive mix-up allowed their striker a clear run at goal to make it 2–1 on the hour. A third soon after appeared to put the points beyond Colne.

However, a fine comeback in the final ten minutes changed the game. First, Olly Whiteoak fired home, before Man of the Match Jamie Holmes nodded in Shayne Howard’s long throw to make it 3–3.

The final five minutes were end to end, with both sides creating glorious chances to sn**ch all three points, but a draw was a fair result.

As the curtain comes down on another season – one which has, in large parts, been disappointing – there is plenty of excitement for what lies ahead. The final two games gave Colne the opportunity to field no fewer than eight teenagers, as they freshened up their personnel and showed what a bright future the club has.

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𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝟏-𝟑 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐧𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 [𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 & 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 - 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫]

Colne United reignited their fight against relegation with an impressive 3–1 victory away at Clayton, following a long trip to Bradford that proved well worth it.

After a recent dip in form, Colne made several changes both in personnel and shape – and the impact was immediate. From the outset, the visitors dominated proceedings, playing some excellent football despite the difficult pitch and against a physical Clayton side. While the hosts attempted to use their physicality to disrupt the game, Colne’s quality on the ball consistently shone through.

Despite their control, Colne went into the break just 1–0 ahead, a scoreline that barely reflected their superiority. The breakthrough came after a superb piece of play from Harry Swarbrick, who slipped in Jamie Holmes. Holmes showed great composure to lift the ball over the advancing goalkeeper. Colne could easily have extended their lead further before half-time, but the Clayton keeper produced a series of strong saves to keep his side in the contest.

Clayton altered their shape at the interval in an attempt to stem the flow, but Colne remained firmly in control. On the hour mark, Olly Whiteoak, who was outstanding throughout, doubled the advantage with an excellent solo effort, weaving his way through the defence before finishing confidently.

Colne effectively sealed the result soon after when Swarbrick flicked a header home from an Ashley Southworth free-kick, making it 3–0 and ending any realistic hopes of a Clayton comeback.

To their credit, the home side continued to battle and were rewarded with a stunning consolation goal – one that will be talked about for a long time. A Clayton centre-half unleashed an audacious strike from inside his own half, finding the top corner in spectacular fashion.

The match finished 3–1, a crucial victory for Colne as they continue their push to avoid relegation. A big challenge awaits on Thursday, as they travel away to Sutton, but this result provides real momentum and belief.

Man of the Match: Jamie Holmes

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Colne United is saddened to hear the news that former player Colin Bailey passed away earlier this month.

Well known in Earby, particularly for his time playing for Earby Town, Colin was a player and coach for teams across Pendle for many years.

Here he is pictured (front row, far right) with the First team during the 1990s.

A funeral to celebrate his life will take place on Friday 1 May at All Saints Church Earby at 1pm, prior to a cremation at Skipton Crematorium at 2pm. Following the service, those who knew Colin are invited to join his family at Earby Conservative Club.

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𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐧𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝟐-𝟏 𝐁𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 [𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 & 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 - 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏]

Colne United returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Baildon Trinity Athletic FC, securing a much-needed three points after three successive defeats.

It was an even first half in terms of chances, but Colne went into the break two goals to the good thanks to two excellent strikes from Carney and skipper Danny Hammerton. Hammerton’s effort was the pick of the bunch, an absolute thunderbolt from 25 yards that flew into the top corner. Pat Ennis then had a golden opportunity to make it three, but was denied in a one-on-one by the league’s top keeper.

Baildon always looked dangerous, but Colne controlled much of the possession in the opening half. The second period was a very different story, with Colne forced onto the back foot as the midfield dropped deeper and possession became increasingly sloppy.

Defensively, though, Colne were superb. Man of the match Blake Bartram was outstanding at the heart of the defence as the home side stood firm under sustained pressure. Baildon did pull a goal back with 20 minutes remaining to halve the deficit, but Colne held on resolutely to see out the win.

The result lifts Colne up to 4th in the league, a fantastic achievement for a squad in which, for many players, this is only their second season in adult football.

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