[2] He joined the U's during the club's brief stint outside of the Football League, making his debut on 16 December 1991 in 6–2 home defeat by Wycombe Wanderers.
Ultimately, the U's gained promotion back to the Football League at the end of the season.
[2] Partner made two Football League appearances for Colchester,[4] and in his final appearance during a 1–0 away defeat to Exeter City on 30 August 1994[5] he suffered a broken knee cap.
This was the last time that he would play professional football or feature in the Colchester first-team.
[2] Partner's injury kept him out of action for two and a half years, returning to action with the United reserves in March 1997 and featured in a number of reserve games until the end of the 1996–97 season, when he severed his ties with the club after six years.