The U’s owner and chairman has outlined his ambitions for the club as he continues preparations to eventually pass it into new ownership .

Mr Cowling, who took control of Colchester in the summer of 2006 , has reiterated that finding the right successor is more important to him than simply accepting the highest offer.

And in the final instalment of a four-part series examining the future of the club and football’s finances, he has revealed what he ultimately wants his legacy to be.

Mr Cowling told cu-fc.com: “The greatest legacy I could leave would be a Colchester United that no longer depends upon one individual to secure its future.

“That is what I am working towards, and it is the principle that will guide me as I prepare to pass the club into its next chapter.”

Mr Cowling wants to eventually hand over a club with a thriving academy, strong facilities, an influential Community Foundation and a healthier financial footing.

He also wants his successor to be able to concentrate on moving the U’s forward rather than simply funding ongoing losses.

Mr Cowling said: “I want the next owner to be able to concentrate on taking Colchester United forward rather than continually finding the money to cover its losses.

In Part Four of Colchester United Owner and Chairman Robbie Cowling's reflections on the Independent Football Regulator's Draft 'State of the Game' Report, he further examines the impact the report could have on the possible future sale of Colchester United. Read now ⤵️ ✍️ https://t.co/gPXJUPE8C4 #ColU #ColchesterUnited #IndependentFootballRegulator #StateOfTheGame

— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) November 10, 2026

“And I want supporters to feel confident that the club they care so deeply about has a future worth looking forward to.

“I cannot guarantee success on the pitch. No owner can.

“But I can continue working to give Colchester United the best possible chance of success, both on and off it.”

Mr Cowling acknowledges that he has not achieved the level of on-field success he would have wanted during his two decades at the helm.

But he insists his focus is on ensuring the U’s are in the strongest possible position when the time comes for him to relinquish control.

He said he could not promise supporters the “moonshot” they crave but was determined to get Colchester “onto the launchpad” for his successor.

Mr Cowling has previously made clear his intention to pass the club into new ownership but stressed that he regards the values and intentions of any prospective buyer as being every bit as important as their financial resources.

He wants a new owner capable of bringing fresh ideas and investment while respecting what he regards as the club’s key foundations, including its Category Two academy, facilities, supporter relationships and community work.

Until a change happens, Mr Cowling says he will continue financially supporting the U’s, maintaining a competitive first-team budget, funding the academy and investing in facilities.

Home - Colchester United's JobServe Community Stadium (Image: Newsquest Ltd)

He also believes the Independent Football Regulator could play an important role in both scrutinising future owners and helping create a more sustainable financial model throughout the English game.

Mr Cowling argues lower-league clubs should receive a fairer share of football’s wealth, alongside spending controls designed to prevent clubs simply increasing their expenditure as revenues grow.

His aim is for Colchester’s eventual new owner to be able to invest in players, facilities, technology and commercial development rather than repeatedly covering losses simply to keep the club operating.

And Mr Cowling believes achieving that would represent a more significant legacy than anything he could promise on the pitch.