Colchester Utd

Colchester Utd
Bowditch released by Colchester Colchester United boss Phil Parkinson has released midfielder Ben Bowditch after just one season at Layer Road. Bowditch, 21, signed for the U's at the start of the season but had a number of injuries which have restricted his first team opportunities. Parkinson told the club's website: \"Ben is injured at the moment but we feel that we have plenty of cover in that part of the squad. \"He needs to be playing first team football once he's back to full fitness

Caley Thistle impressed by Cade
Inverness Caledonian Thistle are considering offering a contract to Colchester United striker Jamie Cade. He has impressed on trial with the Scottish Premier League club. And Inverness's Craig Brewster told the Daily Express: "Jamie is only 21 and has a wee bit of pace, which would give us something different up front." The Caley Thistle player-boss denied suggestions that he wants to sign Aberdeen left-back Scott Morrison and Ross County midfielder John Rankin. Cade started his career at Middlesbrough but failed to score in his 29 appearances since joining League One outfit Colchester in 2003, and is not being offered a new contract at Layer Road.

Halford is shocked after call-up
Colchester's Greg Halford was surprised to be called into the England Under-20 squad for the Toulon Tournament. "I was shocked when the call came and didn't know what to say," the U's utility man, 20. "I'm really pleased to have be included - I knew I had an outside chance, but seven players (from the initial squad) were going to be disappointed. "When you look at the quality of the squad I'm just pleased to get a chance. Hopefully I'll get to play out there

Colchester release veteran Bowry
Colchester boss Phil Parkinson says he had no choice but to release experienced midfielder Bobby Bowry. The 34-year-old former and Crystal Palace and Millwall made 117 appearances for the U's. "We did try to make room for him in the budget because he's a great character to have around," manager Phil Parkinson told the club's website. "Bobby is also a good player but with the midfielders we have here, I had to let him go."

Hunt agrees new Colchester deal
Colchester United left-back Stephen Hunt, 20, has agreed a new one-year contract with the Layer Road club. Hunt made 25 appearances for the U's last season after joining from Southampton in the summer of 2004. Boss Phil Parkinson was impressed with the youngster, who scored his first goal for the club in the 5-0 home victory over walsall in January. And Hunt has told him he is happy to stay and has promised to sign on the dotted line by the end of the week.

Cade set to train with Darlington
Former Colchester striker Jamie Cade is set to join pre-season training with Darlington after a move to Inverness Caledonian Thistle fell through. The 21-year-old was hoping to rebuild his career in Scotland after being released by the Layer Road club. But former Middlesbrough trainee Cade told the U's official website: "It seems Inverness would have to get a striker out to accommodate me. "At the moment, the manager there is not sure he can do that."

Johnson calls time on Colchester
Midfielder Gavin Johnson has quit League One side Colchester. The 34-year-old has been offered a six-month contract with League two side Boston United. He told BBC Essex: "I felt by playing 44 games last season, I'd done enough to get another year - and the manager said he wanted to keep me. "But I don't think the chairman wanted to up the offer of six months. I've signed for another club, but I'm sorry to be leaving Colchester."

White hoping for first-team spot
Defender John White wants to nail down a regular place in Colchester's first team next season. The 18-year-old made 24 appearances for United last campaign in a number of different positions. He was particularly effective in the man-marking role assigned to him away from home by manager Phil Parkinson. White said: "I'm looking to be in the first team regularly next season and, having signed a pro deal, this is a massive year for me."

Hull boss rules out Halford move
Hull City boss Peter Taylor has ruled out making a move for Colchester star Greg Halford, but says there is plenty of interest in the young utility man. As England Under-20 boss, Taylor worked with the 20-year-old in this month's Toulon tournament in France. "We could not afford him now because of his England call-up," Taylor told the Hull Daily Mail. "From what I'm hearing there are four Premiership teams looking at him, so we have probably missed out on that one."

No Halford offers, says Parkinson
Colchester manager Phil Parkinson says he is yet to receive an offer for Greg Halford despite reports linking him with a move away from Layer Road. "It's just speculation, nothing more," he said. "I have had my phone on all summer and nobody has called me with regards to Greg. "I can fully understand why there is speculation after how well he did in France with the England Under-20s. "But speculation is one thing, it actually happening is another."

Cherries miss out on Keith deal
Former Colchester midfielder Joe Keith has rejected a move to Bournemouth - after receiving a more lucrative offer from an unnamed League Two club. The 26-year-old was offered a contract by Cherries boss Sean O'Driscoll after being released by the U's. But O'Driscoll told his club's website: "There was room for negotiation on the deal we tabled, but we couldn't match the money he's been offered elsewhere." Keith scored 28 goals in 247 league and cup appearances for Colchester. He also spent the end of last season on loan at Bristol City. O'Driscoll has been looking for left-sided cover for his squad as midfielder Garreth O'Connor joined Burnley last month, while left-back Warren Cummings will miss the start of the season after breaking his leg in March.

Orient snap up midfielder Keith
Former Colchester midfielder Joe Keith has joined Leyton Orient after rejecting the a move to Bournemouth. The 26-year-old was offered a contract by Cherries boss Sean O'Driscoll after being released by the U's. "I'm a local boy and this is a club whose fortunes I've always followed," he told Orient's website. "The gaffer really sold the club to me and now I've got the chance to help make a difference myself by helping them get promoted." Keith scored 28 goals in 247 league and cup appearances for Colchester. He also spent the end of last season on loan at Bristol City

Bees manager looking at trialists
Barnet boss Paul Fairclough is running the rule over strikers Zema Abbey and Mark Rawle and midfielder Ben Bowditch. Abbey, 28, played for four clubs last season after leaving Norwich - and ended the campaign at Torquay. Rawle, 26, has rejected a new contract at Kidderminster, while Bowditch, 21, was released by Colchester. Fairclough, who has named former Bees keeper and manager Gary Phillips as reserve team boss, is also looking at ex-Charlton youngster Adam Gross, 19.

Colchester complete Iwelumo deal
Colchester United have completed their first signing of the summer, with the acquisition of striker Chris Iwelumo. The 26-year-old has signed on a free from German second division outfit Alemannia Aachen and cannot wait to get started for the League One side. "The club's ambition is what sold the move. The manager and the players are heading in the same direction so I'm looking forward to it," said Iwelumo. "It's good to know the manager wants you and I'll perform on the pitch."

Colchester in talks with Farrell
Peterborough have revealed they are in negotiations to sell midfielder David Farrell to Colchester. The 33-year-old was left out of Posh's friendly at Doncaster on Saturday. Boss Mark Wright told the club's website: "Dave wasn't involved with us because he was at Colchester in talks over a move. "They have offered him a chance to play at a higher level and we can not stand in his way. We will see what happens with that deal in the next few days."

View Full Version: Colchester Utd