During the 2000–01 and 2001–02 seasons, Colchester United achieved steady, incremental progression under manager Steve Whitton while consolidating their position in the English Football League Second Division. The 2000–01 campaign was defined off the pitch by the high-profile £2.25 million sale of star striker Lomana LuaLua to Newcastle United, helping secure the club's financial future; on the pitch, despite an embarrassing 5–1 FA Cup exit to non-league Yeovil Town, the U's improved slightly on the previous year to finish 17th in the league with Mick Stockwell finishing as top scorer. The following 2001–02 season saw further forward momentum, beginning with a thrilling 6–3 victory over Chesterfield and a brief spell at the top of the table in August. Spearheaded by Scott McGleish’s 16 goals in all competitions, Colchester pulled off a notable League Cup upset against First Division Portsmouth before ultimately securing a comfortable 15th-place league finish, continuing their gradual year-on-year climb.