John McGreal believes the philosophy chairman Robbie Cowling has instilled at Colchester United has made them the envy of other clubs.

The U’s eventful League Two game at Leyton Orient last weekend, which was halted for two hours because of a pitch invasion by home fans protesting against owner Francesco Becchetti, brought into sharp focus again the way football clubs are run.

Cowling has now been in charge at Colchester for more than a decade and while results have not always been positive on the field in that time, he has ensured they are a sustainable club and ploughed cash into the club’s academy to produce home-grown players, in addition to funding their Florence Park state-of-the-art training facility in Tiptree.

Colchester's game at Orient saw the club surpass the 200 mark for appearances made by academy graduates, this season.

As head coach McGreal attempts to lead his U’s side to this season’s play-offs, he says Cowling’s time and investment has created something that has attracted admiring glances from rival clubs.

McGreal said: “We have a good philosophy as a club and I think you’re really seeing this year the fruits of people’s labours with young lads coming through. More so of late than ever.

“Robbie is not a knee-jerk person and he has a lot of trust in what he has around him.

“He brings a lot of support, especially when things weren’t going so well.

“He’s been a pillar of strength for myself and (assistant manager) Steve (Ball).

“It’s a great club. I have good mates within football and we really are the envy of other clubs.

“With what we are doing, the chairman we have and the facilities we have, we are an envy of other clubs and I think that’s something to be proud of.”

McGreal says the determination his players have shown over recent weeks has been key in their on-going play-off push.

Colchester were languishing in the bottom two last November but a home win over Yeovil Town this weekend – coupled with other results going for them elsewhere – will seal them a play-off place.

He said: “They’ve got themselves in this great position and a lot of hard work and determination has gone into it, to keep on the coat-tails of the top seven.

“There’s been a real intensity in training.

“My glass is half full - when you’re managing a group of players, you have to keep that positive vibe going.

“There’s no point in a manager coming in and being all doom and gloom. I’ve seen that as a player and it does have an adverse effect. It rubs off on you.”