COLCHESTER United legend Micky Cook has picked his best-ever U’s XI.

The 65-year-old spent his entire career at Layer Road, holding the all-time club record for appearances.

During his illustrious career he was part of the side that won the Watney Cup and beat Leeds United in the FA Cup.

After retiring he became a youth coach at Colchester, as well as having a brief spell as caretaker manager in 1999.

With such a strong connection to the club, he admits picking his all-time best team was a difficult task.

“It was so difficult, given that I played with so many fantastic players,” he said.

In his own words, here is a rundown of Cook’s team: My goalkeeper would be MIKE WALKER.

He was such a strong character - physically and mentally tough - and he bossed his 18-yard box. He was a consistent performer with a winning mentality.

My first defender would be BOBBY CRAM, because he was a sound player and natural leader, as well as being an effective communicator, always offering good advice to the younger pros.

Bobby was captain for our famous game against Leeds.

MICKY PACKER would also feature in my back four because he was fiercely competitive, with a quality left foot.

Either the ball would go by Pack or the player - but never the two at the same time!

STEVE WIGNALL was strong and athletic, dominant in the air in both boxes.

He was an intelligent footballer who took this on to successfully manage Colchester in later years.

My last defensive spot goes to JOHN KURILA - a craggy Scot who dominated his opponents, uncompromising in the tackle and strong in the air.

He was outstanding against Leeds in the FA Cup.

Onto midfield and my first choice is Mark Kinsella - a talented playmaker with a tremendous appetite for the game.

He was always looking to open up the opposition defence with pinpoint accuracy and he was a consistent performer.

STEVE LESLIE was a highly-competitive midfielder and an intelligent footballer with a great fitness base.

He had a knack of scoring goals from midfield.

LAMANO TRESOR LUA LUA has to get the nod because he was such a highly-talented dribbler of the ball - a game-changer with an array of tricks.

He was a good crosser of the ball, as well as a goal-scorer.

MICK MAHON was lightning-quick and another good crosser of the ball.

He was also another star performer against Leeds, who, at the time, was scientifically recorded to have had one of the hardest shots in football.

RAY CRAWFORD was a cultured striker, always available to receive the ball, and a consistent goal-scorer.

He was another who was outstanding against Leeds in the FA Cup, enhancing the U’s reputation for being giant-killers.

Lastly, BOBBY SVARC was a fox in the box, consistently converted those half-chances with numerous types of finishes.

He was a great foil for Ray.

So that completes my team but three other players I’d like to mention are ROY McDONOUGH, IAN ALLINSON AND TONY ENGLISH.

Roy was a consistent goal-scorer and versatile, in that he could play equally well as a centre-back.

He was an excellent target man who would get under the skin of the opposition. He led the club back into the league as manager later in his career.

Ian had good dribbling skills and was an effective crosser of the ball.

He was always good for a goal and went on to play for the Arsenal.

Tony was also a very accomplished player - a solid defender and equally effective in midfield.

Known to lead by example, he was a reliable and consistent footballer.

As for the boss, we’ve had many really good young managers who started their careers at Colchester and went on to be successful at other clubs.

My choice would always be DICK GRAHAM.

He was hard but always fair, with a knack of getting the best out of his players.

In his time at the club, he put the U’s firmly on the map.