Kevin Watson says it was always his desire to return to Colchester United after taking up a part-time coaching role in their academy.

The U’s promotion hero will help coach the club’s under-12s, following his decision to go back to the club he served so well as a player.

Watson will coach the U’s youngsters on Wednesdays and some weekends, while also presiding over the under-12s’ games on Sundays.

He said: “This club has always been special to me and I always wanted to come back.

“I walked out of the door for the last time in 2008, so this has been a long time coming.

“Colchester is a club that I know very well and one that I have a lot of infinity with.

“I’ve had a chat with Tony Ashby and Sean Thacker and I’m not just here for the short term.

“I want to grow and progress with the club.

“Hopefully, they’ll listen and learn and it’s my intention to pass on my knowledge to the kids.

“The way you pitch it at under-12 level is different to how you would at under-21 but kids are like sponges.

“Learning good habits at that age should stick with you throughout your playing career.”

Watson enjoyed a successful playing career which started at Spurs, before he represented the likes of Reading, Swindon Town and Rotherham United.

He played under a host of respected managers, including Terry Venables, Alan Pardew and Steve Coppell.

“I’ve learnt from each and every one of them,” said Watson, who played nearly 150 times for the U’s during his four-year stint at Layer Road.

“I was at Spurs from the age of 11 and I learnt some good habits there which helped me throughout my career.

“I’ve been out of coaching for about 14 or 15 months and I’m really looking forward to it.

“There was no point in me going somewhere where the philosophy wasn’t the same as mine.

“It’s very important that they play the game the way I want.”

Watson has been suitably impressed by the way the U’s academy has flourished, over recent times.

And he is glad to see home-grown players such as Alex Gilbey, Drey Wright and Frankie Kent break into the first team.

Watson added: “Everyone I speak to always talks about Colchester’s academy in the highest regard.

“Robbie wants Colchester to be a Category One club.

“He’s extremely aggressive in that respect and has massive vision for the club - they have a lot of talented boys there.

“I’ve been so impressed by what I’ve seen of the players who are coming through the ranks there.”

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