Breaking News Ben Goodliffe Signs On Loan.

[thenobster]

We have plenty of other central defenders and Ben despite only being here since June last year seems to have fallen out of favour with the Cowley's. They still rate him however but want to get him some games hence his loan to you guys. Our pitch is terrible and will need totally replacing at the end of the season. Robbie Cowling spent a lot of money on it last summer it was dug up and new drainage was put underneath, but it took so long there was no time left to bed in a decent pitch hence the state you see today.

It took me back to a 1970’s pitch… aah, memories.
From first showings, he’s a good lad.

 

[PIERS]

I wouldn’t knock the state of your pitch too much. It did for Adam Barrett

 

[Colchester and proud!]

I wouldn’t knock the state of your pitch too much. It did for Adam Barrett

It was even worse then! The pitch is built on a clay soil base and that is always going to be an issue despite many 1000's being spent on drainage etc.

 

[mattytheshrimper]

This could be more of a long term signing looking to buy. I don't rate Gubbins or Crowther.

Gubbins is a dreadful football player!

 

[Evening Echo]

COLCHESTER United head coach Danny Cowley says Ben Goodliffe has joined Southend United on loan with the intention of the defender getting some game time under his belt.

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[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

New arrival - Ben Goodliffe has joined Southend United on loan (Image: Lucy Copsey)
Southend United FC.

COLCHESTER United head coach Danny Cowley says Ben Goodliffe has joined Southend United on loan with the intention of the defender getting some game time under his belt.

The 25-year-old has signed for the Shrimpers until the end of the season and made his debut in their 2-0 victory at Dagenham and Redbridge, on Saturday.

Goodliffe, who joined the U's on a two-year deal from Sutton United last summer, has made 14 appearances for Colchester this season, with eight of them league starts.

However, the centre-back has found a starting spot hard to come by of late, with his last league start for the U's in the 0-0 draw at Fleetwood Town in November and Cowley says it was the right thing for Goodliffe to go out and play games.

Cowley said: "Sometimes when we look at footballers, we look at the 23-24 season, then we look at the 24-25 season and sometimes, you look at the calendar year.

"When I looked at the calendar year of 2024, he just hadn't played enough football and to play at his best, Ben's a boy that needs rhythm.

"Unfortunately, when he first came in, in the first game he did great but he got injured through no fault of his own at Wimbledon, with a horrible facial injury.

"Then he came off with a calf injury against Morecambe and more recently, against Fleetwood, so he hasn't had a run and Kells (Fiacre Kelleher) has come in and done brilliantly and has done everything we knew Kells would do, because he's a great kid.

"Central defence is about partnerships and relationships and having the right players play together.

"We would like to bring a left footer in because we need four in that position and it's such a specialist position.

"We just felt 'let's go and get him a run of games' and it'll be better for him.

"If he can get 20 games between now and the end of the season, then I think we'll be very pleased about that.

"There's a rivalry obviously between the two clubs but it's about doing the right thing by the player really and that's always at the forefront of our minds."

 

[Colchester and proud!]

New arrival - Ben Goodliffe has joined Southend United on loan (Image: Lucy Copsey)
Southend United FC.

COLCHESTER United head coach Danny Cowley says Ben Goodliffe has joined Southend United on loan with the intention of the defender getting some game time under his belt.

The 25-year-old has signed for the Shrimpers until the end of the season and made his debut in their 2-0 victory at Dagenham and Redbridge, on Saturday.

Goodliffe, who joined the U's on a two-year deal from Sutton United last summer, has made 14 appearances for Colchester this season, with eight of them league starts.

However, the centre-back has found a starting spot hard to come by of late, with his last league start for the U's in the 0-0 draw at Fleetwood Town in November and Cowley says it was the right thing for Goodliffe to go out and play games.

Cowley said: "Sometimes when we look at footballers, we look at the 23-24 season, then we look at the 24-25 season and sometimes, you look at the calendar year.

"When I looked at the calendar year of 2024, he just hadn't played enough football and to play at his best, Ben's a boy that needs rhythm.

"Unfortunately, when he first came in, in the first game he did great but he got injured through no fault of his own at Wimbledon, with a horrible facial injury.

"Then he came off with a calf injury against Morecambe and more recently, against Fleetwood, so he hasn't had a run and Kells (Fiacre Kelleher) has come in and done brilliantly and has done everything we knew Kells would do, because he's a great kid.

"Central defence is about partnerships and relationships and having the right players play together.

"We would like to bring a left footer in because we need four in that position and it's such a specialist position.

"We just felt 'let's go and get him a run of games' and it'll be better for him.

"If he can get 20 games between now and the end of the season, then I think we'll be very pleased about that.

"There's a rivalry obviously between the two clubs but it's about doing the right thing by the player really and that's always at the forefront of our minds."

Great comments from DC as normal he cares a lot about his players! Fiacre is a very decent defender slightly taller than Ben and very vocal, the problem is he is a bit injury prone but a great lad and well liked here. His younger brother Caoimhín Kelleher plays in goal for Liverpool, there are 3 other brothers who all play Hurling, 5 brothers and all big lads!

 

[Barry.C]

Does anyone know what exactly Crowther's injury is ? and whether he needs an op, or what the treatment is an d timescale

Hopefully he can come back stronger before the end of the season. Always handy to have the extra cover

and I still rate him

 

[SUFCGoals]

Does anyone know what exactly Crowther's injury is ? and whether he needs an op, or what the treatment is an d timescale

Hopefully he can come back stronger before the end of the season. Always handy to have the extra cover

and I still rate him

No clue, he got hooked off against York after probably not doing good enough from each of the three corners. Since then he's been nowhere near the team. Is the injury real or is going to leave?

 

[NZamba Legend]

After playing for us he won't want to go back to the Fitzwimarc PE department.

 

[Holy Joe]

No clue, he got hooked off against York after probably not going good enough from each of the three corners. Since then he's been nowhere near the team. Is the injury real or is going to leave?

He did go down injured and received treatment in the minutes before being subbed so injury is certainly plausible imho.

 

[SUFCGoals]

He did go down injured and received treatment in the minutes before being subbed so injury is certainly plausible imho.

Ahh that makes sense. I'll stop being a conspiracy theorist.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Does anyone know what exactly Crowther's injury is ? and whether he needs an op, or what the treatment is an d timescale

Hopefully he can come back stronger before the end of the season. Always handy to have the extra cover

and I still rate him

It's a knee problem. They hope it will come good with rest, to avoid any operation. He's due another scan in 1 or 2 weeks, depending.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

Does anyone know what exactly Crowther's injury is ? and whether he needs an op, or what the treatment is an d timescale

Hopefully he can come back stronger before the end of the season. Always handy to have the extra cover

and I still rate him

I still rate him too and I do think he is another victim of being played out of position. Playing in the middle of a back 3 is so difficult for many and I believe his attributes best suit RCB. It's not his fault he was being asked to play games in a position he isn't best suited to for so long, simply because Kensdale had gone.

I hope he doesn't go the way of Lomas and his torrid time with injury's.

 

[Streaky]

Although we have a dislike for those up the A12, it seems as though the two clubs have a healthy relationship. Being in different divisions helps but there is no reason why these types of deals shouldn’t happen and be mutually beneficial. It’s gives these Col Ewe lads a chance to play infront of a decent crowd

 

[Liam AAS]

Ahh that makes sense. I'll stop being a conspiracy theorist.

I don't think you're that far off.

 

[Barry.C]

I still rate him too and I do think he is another victim of being played out of position. Playing in the middle of a back 3 is so difficult for many and I believe his attributes best suit RCB. It's not his fault he was being asked to play games in a position he isn't best suited to for so long, simply because Kensdale had gone.

I hope he doesn't go the way of Lomas and his torrid time with injury's.

I think it was also noted how well he was doing at his previous club because he was alongside such an old, experienced Pro as Josh Coulson, constantly in his ear

Obviously the club saw his potential but he was used to help fill Kensdales boots and Ralph is maybe not as " shouty " as Coulson and the two got on very well as the old boy took Crowther under bis wing

Certainly wonder if he would perform better alongside a Goodliffe?

 

[Smiffy]

Would be a real shame for the lad. But, I wouldn't be surprised if we never see Crowther in a Southend shirt again. As has been mentioned, Lomas vibes unfortunately...

Regards Goodliffe, I liked his short cameo on Saturday. Early days but he looked Lopata-esque. Big unit, aerially dominant, fearless and a good organiser.

 

[Barry.C]

Would be a real shame for the lad. But, I wouldn't be surprised if we never see Crowther in a Southend shirt again. As has been mentioned, Lomas vibes again...

Would be a shame, the Lomas thing was weird and still is?
He was picked up by Braintree last July and quickly loaned out to Slough. Then back to Braintree in September and quickly loaned out again to Hornchurch , back to Braintree last October for whom I dont think hes ever played a game?
i thought he did quite well in his 21 appearances for us. Something odd there?

Anyway back to Goodliffe , pleased to have his experience on board, just what we needed and hes only 25 years old and has the same birthday as my youngest daughter so is bound to be a cracking personality !
Just thought Id throw that into the mix of positives !

 

[rigsby]

No clue, he got hooked off against York after probably not doing good enough from each of the three corners. Since then he's been nowhere near the team. Is the injury real or is going to leave?

Difficult for him to defend the 3rd whilst sitting on the bench.