‘Brand new chapter’ – Fans react to a club statement which confirms a US consortium is in talks to take over Colchester.
U’s chairman Robbie Cowling has confirmed he is in advanced talks to sell the League Two club to a US-based consortium, Lightwell Sports Group, led by businessman Tim Foley.
Cowling, who has owned the club since 2006, stated that discussions have been ongoing for some time, and he believes the prospective owners share his passion for the club and are better positioned to take it forward.
The deal is close to being finalised, with legal and regulatory processes ongoing, and no further comments will be made until completion.
Foley has been the owner of Lightwell since 2020, with prior experience at United World Wrestling, the governing body which oversees the sport for World Championships and Olympics, including Greco-Roman competitions.
Colchester finished 10th in League Two for the 2024/25 season, 3 points behind the playoff places under the Cowley brothers.
Club Statement
Colchester United Chairman Robbie Cowling has today confirmed that he is in advanced discussions to sell the football club to a United States based consortium, Lightwell Sports Group, led by businessman Tim Foley.
Read the full statement below.
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) May 6, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Colchester United Chairman Confirms Advanced Talks with US Consortium
Colchester United Chairman Robbie Cowling has today confirmed that he is in advanced discussions to sell the football club to a United States based consortium, Lightwell Sports Group, led by businessman Tim Foley.
Cowling, who has owned Colchester United since August 2006, stated: “After nearly two decades at the helm of this wonderful football club, I can confirm that I am relatively close to finalising a deal to pass ownership to a US-based consortium led by Tim Foley.”
“These discussions have been ongoing for some time, during which time I have grown to believe that the prospective new owners not only share my passion, and respect for the community, but are much better placed than I am to take Colchester United forward.
“It has been an incredible journey, and I remain committed to ensuring a smooth transition that secures the best possible future for the club, its supporters, and everyone connected with Colchester United. I will provide further updates as soon as I am able to.”
No further comment will be made at this time while the legal and regulatory processes are ongoing.
BBC Essex sport editor Victoria Polley, said: “This is huge news for Colchester United and would certainly mark the end of an era for the U’s.
“Rumours have been swirling since the turn of the year that Robbie Cowling might be looking to end his almost 20-year association with the club, but speaking to BBC Essex back in February, he wouldn’t be drawn on it.
“Cowling has always been a shrewd businessman, not afraid to say what he thinks and has dipped further into his pockets when the U’s have needed it to save their EFL status.
“It’s been a much more positive season on the pitch for Colchester United, narrowly missing out on the League Two play-offs.
“American ownership certainly seems to be a growing trend and we’ll wait to see whether the U’s will benefit.”
‘Brand new chapter’ – As mentioned, fans react to the US consortium being in talks to take over Colchester…
@glenister_andy: As long as they keep Danny & Nicky, which I’m sure they will.. this is very very exciting news! Getting this done early potentially gives a new & hopefully larger, budget for the whole summer to plan & spend! #colu
@Freddie_Laidler: Today I feel American
@GeorgePBishop8: Wait….. Another league 2 club being sold? Won’t happen no one is interested in League 2 clubs. #stfc
@RuytonShrew: What do I see here? A club progressing a takeover, updating supporters and even confirming the identity of the potential buyer?! It’ll never catch on… #Salop
@EagleEyedColU: It’s not your club, it’s our club. #ColU
@LodgieCanarias: This has to be a good thing for the club, it needs a cash injection and some new ideas.
@JIPC76: I cautiously welcome this. I’m always skeptical about overseas consortiums and their motivations, especially after seeing other league clubs being burned by them in the past. I’d like to see fans’ groups consulted over this #colu
@liamb0798: Oh. My. I really never thought this would happen. Starting a brand new chapter, which could be groundbreaking for good or bad. We need to be cautious with optimism, these can go badly wrong but the potential is enormous too. Crazy times ahead #colu
@MattCUFC_: Hoping the consortium will be made up of people knowledgable of football in the UK and if not, have advisors to support. I’m hopeful that Cowling wouldn’t sell to someone unless he knew it was right for the club. Potentially exciting #colu
@roversvision: Any chance of communication like this would be quite nice @markpalios1? #trfc
@ColU_Adam: Come onnnnnnn
@JoshuaCrysell: Excited but also nervous. Could go one of two ways
@colu180: Well I was very vocal about this but being true.. but I was so very wrong… hopefully this will be a great thing for us. Bring it on #colu
@Conall_Kane: ITS REALLLLL
@dabdbdab: Taking ownership of the stadium too and that whole site will be turned into something special. Championship in 5 years? If we keep the Cowleys, keep our best players and only build on with better then we absolutely will be #colu
@ColU_Tom: Honestly, I went to sleep after reading all the tweets last night saying, “Surely this can’t be true.” Well, lo and behold, I wake up to this on my feed, shows how in the know I am 😂 Cautious optimism at this point, could be the next Wrexham – could be the next Carlisle 🤞
@OfficialUpTheUs: Well then, How do you feel about this then, on one hand you look at how the team down the road where treated, but then you look at the Wrexham story and think, could this be us What are you thinking after hearing this news? #Colu | #WeAreUnited
@Jamie_Hudson_: Oh my! It’s true! This is the right time. It’s absolutely key that the new owners have good communication with the fans. A lot of overseas investment has gone wrong and we Ofcourse don’t want that. I really hope this is the start of some real change at the club #ColU
@MattBell1986: Any idea of how fast it moves from this point? Assume it must be close if it’s being spoken about by RC publicly, and would assume they would want an instant handle on the club for pre-season/contract handling etc? #ColU
@TylerKint1: Very nervous. Have disagreed with some of Cowling’s decisions, but he has always acted in the best interests of the club. Will a consortium do the same? I do trust that RC will have done due diligence on the new owners. Whatever happens, the Cowleys must stay #ColU
@amcloughlin08: Huge news, whilst extremely exciting it’s another step in to the unknown – fingers crossed the futures bright and we keep Danny and Nicky in charge! They’re the best thing to happen to us in a long time! #ColU
@Liam1937: Been bloody waiting 10+ years for this to happen and it’s finally happened, get the fuck in🎉
@HarryPeace15: Oh my god
@davioburchio: As ever with a takeover, we go into a new unknown. Always a case of be careful what you wish for. However, I do hope these guys take us into an exciting new era. RC has been a safe pair of hands & has probably taken us as far as he could. Let’s see what happens!
@ryanwsortwell: My initial reactions is buzzinggggg 👀 Not to be that guy BUTTT Is the grass always greener ??? Fingers crossed they give us what we want as a club and fans deserve. #TEAMFORME #ColU 💙
On repeat pic.twitter.com/nmVBVd1yL7
— Harry Chambers (@harrychambers42) May 6, 2025
Yesssss pic.twitter.com/MQBm8xkNJd
— malachi (@malachi21328432) May 6, 2025
Huge news.
Feel as though the last year has led some to lose perspective on Cowling. Took over when we were in the Championship, not too long ago were at the bottom of League Two.
Handled the business side well, but these Americans look the real deal. Exciting times.#ColU https://t.co/LwbR0qKloV
— Sam Matthews Boehmer (@BoehmerSam) May 6, 2025
