JOHNNIE Jackson has scooped the Colchester United and Gazette Player-of-the-Year award.

And the consistent midfielder has handed U's fans a huge boost by pledging his immediate future to the club.

The 25-year-old was voted Colchester's best player this season in a joint-poll conducted by the club and the Gazette, with goalkeeper Dean Gerken runner-up and leading goalscorer Kevin Lisbie third.

Jackson succeeds Jamie Cureton as Colchester United's Player-of-the-Year.

Cureton quit the U's a matter of weeks after receiving the award.

But despite their relegation from the Coca-Cola Championship, Jackson insisted he is not about to follow in his former team-mate's footsteps by leaving the U's.

He told the Gazette: "I'm in a different situation to Jamie.

"A club came for him but I've got two years left on my contract so there's no reason to think that I'll be going anywhere else next season.

"I'm in no rush to go anywhere."