The Dugout Diaries: Colchester preview
Last updated : 02 August 2005 By Dugout Doug
Hi, Doug here!
Welcome to League One! After the disappointment at the City Ground, it didn’t take me long to start looking forward to the new season.
This pre-season has been a tough one for both the club and us fans, with all the uncertainty for the weeks following the Forest defeat as to who was staying and who was going. Stan Ternent decided that was his lot, and caught the first bus back up North. His replacement, Neale Cooper, has joined with much praise being sung about him from various quarters. In this month’s FourFourTwo magazine, Chris Kamara has singled out Cooper to make a big impression down here - and I must admit I am quietly confident that it’s going to be a great season.
So, let’s have had a look at who will be in the dugout for Colchester this Saturday.
Phil Parkinson – Manager
Reading legend Phil Parkinson took over the managerial reigns at Layer Road in February 2003. Despite his links with the Royals where he was a player for over 10 years, the lure of a managerial post was too strong. Parkinson has established Colchester as a mid-table team since he joined them.
Geraint Williams – Assistant Manager
Williams has had two stints as caretaker manager at Layer Road, most recently relinquishing duties to Parkinson. The former midfielder however, stayed on to assist the new man. His playing career took him from Bristol Rover, to Derby, Ipswich, and finally Colchester where he hung up his boots in 2000.
One member of the U’s backroom staff who cannot wait to come to Priestfield this weekend is their Youth Team Manager, Joe Dunne. Former Gills favourite Dunne came through the youth ranks and spent six years with us until his move to Colchester.
Look out next week for all the news from the dugouts. The weekend cannot come quickly enough!
Until then,
Doug … Out!!!
