COLCHESTER United new boy Rene Gilmartin insists he is still hungry to play competitive football – despite embarking on a new coaching career.

The 30-year-old has arrived on a free transfer from Watford as the U’s new goalkeeper coach, where the 6ft 5in shot-stopper will challenge Sam Walker and Dillon Barnes for a place in their League Two starting line-up while also coaching within the first-team set-up.

Gilmartin, who has succeeded Ademola Bankole as Colchester’s goalkeeper coach, says he had no hesitation in taking them up on their offer of coaching, despite potentially having a decade of playing years remaining in his career.

Gilmartin said: “I absolutely still have the hunger to be playing – you train for a reason and you want to impress in training.

“But also there’s the side of me now that wants to make sure that Sam is improving and developing and that he’s feeling good going into the new season.

“The fact that I’m a young goalkeeper coach can also be of benefit because I’m still in the game, I know what suits me and Sam and I are very similar physically.

“I know the types of things that we need to work on, being strong, physical characters.

“The training so far has shown that and both Sam and Dillon have been outstanding and their application has been brilliant.

“It’s up to me to manage my time then between my training and my coaching.

“People say I’m young to be a coach and that I’ve got another ten years to play.

“That’s true but I also have a lot to offer.

“If the opportunity is there and a club like Colchester come in for you, then why wait?

“It’s perfect and I never feel like it’s too early – it fits for me at this moment in time in my life.

“I’m a fully qualified coach so it made sense to me and I’ve always wanted to coach - even when I was 20 I was coaching.

“Yes, I want to continue playing and training and offer that side of it.

“But I also want to start my coaching career and it’s a great club to do that.”

Gilmartin is no stranger to coaching – he has his qualifications and spent time nurturing Watford’s youngsters during his time at Vicarage Road.

However, the Irishman’s new position at Colchester is his first full-time coaching role.

“As a coach, it’s perfect and somewhere where you want to start,” added Gilmartin.

“The objective is just to build on what’s already been here and be a part of it as much as I can.

“That’s in terms of coaching and also the playing side by offering a bit of experience around the group and a bit of pressure for Sam and Dillon and develop them, as a coach.

“I know about Colchester and I know how good their academy is – they beat Watford’s academy twice last year and have such a great reputation, in terms of youth football and developing players.”