Aidy Boothroyd wants Layer Road legend Dick Graham to help him in his U’s promotion bid.

The Colchester United boss plans to invite Graham – arguably the most popular manager in the club’s history - to future training sessions.

Boothroyd spoke to Graham, who managed the U’s between 1968 and 1972 and led them to a famous FA Cup triumph over Leeds United, at a Legends lunch this week.

And now he plans to get the Hall of Fame inductee involved in Colchester’s present-day quest for success in Coca-Cola League One.

Boothroyd said: “It was great to sit and listen to a guy like Dick and talk through a few things with him.

“I’ve invited him in and hopefully we’ll get him down to a couple of training sessions.

“I had a good chat with him and nothing really changes.

“I was talking to an 88-year-old guy who has been there and done it and is a legend at this club and we’re talking about the same things.”

For more on the U's see today's Gazette.