Franck Queudrue battles for possession during Colchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Millwall at the Community Stadium, back in April 2010.

It proved to be the Frenchman’s final appearance for the U’s, the last of only three matches he played for Aidy Boothroyd’s side during his brief spell in north Essex.

Colchester completed something of a coup when they managed to snap former Fulham and Middlesbrough defender Queudrue on a free transfer, in the final weeks of the 2009-10 season.

He had started the campaign playing in the Premier League for Birmingham City at Old Trafford, featuring in a 1-0 reverse at Manchester United.

Queudrue ended up playing a further five times for the Blues in the top flight but then ended up without a club, leading to his move to Colchester who at the time were pushing for a League One play-off place.

He made his debut in a 1-1 home draw with Wycombe Wanderers and also featured in a 2-0 reverse at Exeter City, prior to playing against Millwall in front of a crowd of 7,393 at the Community Stadium.

Colchester fell behind to the Lions when Steve Morison fired the visitors ahead, just before half-time.

Kevin Lisbie equalised for the U’s early in the second half but the visitors went on to score a winner with 12 minutes remaining, thanks to Danny Baath’s own goal.

Along with Queudrue, the Colchester team that day featured the likes of Ben Williams, Marc Tierney and David Prutton but they were a side who were experiencing a poor run of form, just at the wrong time.

The Millwall loss extended the U’s run without a win to eight matches and although they ended that sequence with a 3-0 triumph over Swindon Town five days later, it did not trigger the run of results they needed to clinch a play-off place.

Colchester picked up one point from a possible 12 in the four matches that followed and although they beat Leyton Orient 1-0 on the final day of the season, they ended up finishing in eighth place and eight points off the play-off places.

Millwall went on to triumph in the play-offs, joining Norwich City and Leeds United in winning promotion.

Colchester proved to be Queudrue’s last club in England.

He ended his playing career in France for Lens in May, 2011.