Teddy Bishop is making his mark at Colchester United in more ways than one, taking on an unusual role alongside his midfield duties.
The 29-year-old, who joined the U’s from Lincoln City in 2024, has become the club’s unofficial barber while adapting to a deeper on-field position under manager Danny Cowley.
🎥 Teddy Bishop reflects on his return to the starting line-up and reacts to Monday’s result in South Yorkshire.#ColU | #WeAreUnited
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) April 22, 2025
What Happened and Why It Matters
Bishop, who began his career at Ipswich Town, has revealed that he spends part of his time cutting teammates’ hair after teaching himself during the Covid lockdown. The midfielder told BBC Essex Sport he had been experimenting with clippers at home and now trims several members of the squad.
“I’ve been cutting Jack Payne’s hair for over a year now – I think in that time he’s had one haircut from a different barber because I couldn’t do it (that time).”
Bishop said his confidence has grown as he has gained more experience.
“I’m lining up Kane’s (Vincent-Young) beard and it’s all experience, it’s something I may want to go into in the future. The lads have let me trial on them and they’re very happy with what they’re getting, so I think it works all round. I
“No (they don’t pay me) but only because there’s a chance I could still mess them up – they take a chance on me while giving me the experience, so I think it’s a fair deal at the moment.”
While his sideline has drawn light-hearted attention, Cowley’s main concern is Bishop’s influence in midfield. The U’s have started to find form in League Two, and the manager is counting on Bishop’s calm control as they look for a third successive win when Harrogate Town visit this weekend.
🗑 Top bins from Ted!#WeAreImps | @Ted10Bishop pic.twitter.com/yab8ps1mx0
— Lincoln City FC 🇺🇦 (@LincolnCity_FC) April 1, 2024
Reaction, Impact, and What Comes Next
Bishop’s career has taken him through three clubs and more than 240 senior appearances. A Cambridge-born midfielder, he rose through the Ipswich Town academy, debuting in 2014 and quickly becoming one of Mick McCarthy’s most promising young players.
In July 2021 he joined Lincoln City, where he rediscovered consistency, making 93 league appearances and scoring 11 goals across three seasons. His spell at the LNER Stadium saw him operate in a more attacking role at times, particularly under Michael Appleton and later Mark Kennedy, before his departure in 2024 when contract talks broke down.
At Colchester, Bishop has embraced a new responsibility in Cowley’s reshaped midfield.
“I’ve probably played the deepest I’ve played in my career so far,” he explained. “I’m almost like a defensive midfielder because the gaffer wants me to go and get on the ball and control games. That then makes it harder to be on the end of attacks because I’m most likely starting them.”
Cowley’s side are targeting a strong autumn after a mixed start to the campaign, and Bishop’s fitness and form will be central to that effort.
Having endured long injury lay-offs earlier in his career, he now looks settled and influential both on and off the field, blending his passion for football with a growing flair for the barbershop chair.
