AS Colchester United’s youngsters celebrated winning another trophy, Robbie Cowling was the first to congratulate John McGreal on the Valley Parade pitch.

Two years on from that impressive Youth Alliance Under-18 Final victory at Bradford City, the U’s chairman has now chosen McGreal to become the U’s seventh permanent manager in the space of nearly eight years.

McGreal’s stock has steadily risen year by year since accepting an invitation from former Ipswich Town coaching colleagues Tony Humes and Richard Hall to take over as a young academy coach in charge of Colchester’s under-16 side, back in 2009.

The 43-year-old has quietly and competently gone about his work, helping the U’s academy flourish as part of their Category Two status in the Elite Player Performance Plan.

The current season has arguably been his most effective as a coach; alongside David Wright and more latterly Steve Ball, he guided Colchester’s under-21s to a commendable fourth place finish above clubs such as Crystal Palace, Watford and Ipswich.

An accomplished, ball-playing defender in his playing days, McGreal started his career at home-town club Tranmere Rovers where he made more than 200 appearances before leaving Prenton Park for Ipswich, in the summer of 1999.

McGreal, who regards George Burley as the best manager he has played under, spent five seasons at Town and made 150 league and cup appearances for them.

He treasures his memories at Portman Road, which included being involved in the squad that beat Inter Milan and achieved a fifth-place finish in the Premier League, in the 2001-02 season.

McGreal eventually left Ipswich to join Burnley in 2004 and clocked up more than 100 league and cup appearances for them before leaving Turf Moor in 2007.

He had an unsuccessful trial at Colchester during Geraint Williams’ time as manager before hanging up his boots and going into coaching, returning to his former club Ipswich.

Having been a coach for more than a decade, he has served his apprenticeship and is now ready to step up to a more senior level of football management.

McGreal played his first-ever professional game for Tranmere against Southend United, back in 1996.

Nearly two decades on, he is now ready for a new chapter in his football career and aiming to guide them Colchester United to success in League Two.

JOHN MCGREAL – FACTFILE

AGE – 43

PLACE OF BIRTH – BIRKENHEAD

PLAYING CAREER – TRANMERE ROVERS, IPSWICH TOWN, BURNLEY

TOTAL LEAGUE AND CUP CAREER APPEARANCES – 490

HONOURS - 2000 FIRST DIVISION PLAY-OFF WINNER WITH IPSWICH TOWN