Got news? Tell us!
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting gazette news to 80360, or email us i-witness@nqe.com »
It's not over for Watson
8:22am Tuesday 6th May 2008
KEVIN Watson today insisted he has no intention of hanging up his boots - despite being released by Colchester United.
The cultured midfielder's four-year stint with the U's is over, after he was told by manager Geraint Williams that he is surplus to requirements.
Watson only managed seven starts for Colchester in the Coca-Cola Championship this season after being hampered by injuries.
However, the 34-year-old is determined to prolong his playing career for as long as possible, before contemplating a potential career in coaching.
Watson told the Gazette: "It's very disappointing but I'm not ready to pack the game in just yet.
"It's another challenge for me but it's one that I'm looking forward to.
"Some people have written me off but I won't stop playing.
"I've ended the season fit and it's one season out of 17 that I've had these problems - it's not like I've been injury-prone.
"Coaching and managing is something I want to do but until the day I go out and embarrass myself, I won't stop playing."
Watson is disappointed to be leaving Colchester, for whom he played more than 150 times after joining them from Reading in 2004.
However, he understands boss Williams' decision to let him go.
"I had three-quarters prepared myself for the news," said Watson, who has already received interest from League One and League Two clubs.
"There was always something in the back of my mind that said my three previous seasons might have helped me when the decision was made.
"But I can see where the manager and the club are coming from - I would have found it difficult to give me a contract too.
"It's very rare that a club offers you a contract when you've started only a few games in the season and you're 34.
"The gaffer was clearly upset when he told me his decision and so was I but I have nothing but good words to say about him.
"He said he had missed me being fit this season just as much as he has missed the players who left in the summer.
Your Say YourColchester
taxi, says...
10:22am Tue 6 May 08
Andrew, Oxon says...
11:14am Tue 6 May 08
Say It As It Is, Clackers says...
12:46pm Tue 6 May 08
Bigmouths Strike Again !, Colchester says...
1:59pm Tue 6 May 08
Wakey Wakey, Colchester says...
2:43pm Tue 6 May 08
Say It As It Is, Clackers says...
3:24pm Tue 6 May 08
Jason, Colchester says...
3:31pm Tue 6 May 08
Phil Parkinson once had a go at a few fans who were critical of his team keeping the ball in the corners during an important 1-0 win against Barnsley, I don't recall anyone still having a go at him for that five months down the line though.
Since he did apologise, it comes down to performances on the pitch as far as I'm concerned and this season he hasn't been good enough to warrant retaining. His age and injuries have taken their toll and a major factor in that, but he made a major contribution in his previous three seasons here and for that I thank him and wish him well for the future.
Say It As It Is, Clackers says...
4:03pm Tue 6 May 08
Bigmouths Strike Again !, Colchester says...
4:18pm Tue 6 May 08
Say It As It Is, Clackers says...
4:56pm Tue 6 May 08
Jason, Colchester says...
5:04pm Tue 6 May 08
Geraint Williams, Cloud 'Cuckoo Farm' Land says...
5:10pm Tue 6 May 08
After all, the Street have got Gail Platt and we've got Clive Platt. Now I know Gail's recovering from some nasty injuries, but I reckon she'll be back up and running by August.
I'm going to get on to the Corrie bosses and arrange a swap deal...!
I'm sure the fans would turn up to watch Gail Platt play up front - and I bet you a tenner she can run faster than Clive and has a better first touch.
Cuckoo, Cuckoo, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarr
gh
Mr Colchester, Colchester says...
5:41pm Tue 6 May 08
The gaffer was clearly upset when he told me his decision
Just shows what a drip Williams really is. He should be wielding the axe with relish not sobbing over it. Would Sir Alex Ferguson be upset about releasing a player? No. Williams you really do wind me up. Robbie Cowling you are worth 105 million quid and you have this muppet in charge of your club. Why do you need all that money? Get Paul Ince in and give him 10 million quid to spend. You dont need it do you?
Geraint Williams, Cloud 'Cuckoo Farm' Land says...
6:44pm Tue 6 May 08
I always had a soft spot for Gonzo, but I must admit I now watch more Fraggle Rock. What was the dog called in the lighthouse.
How dare you question my ability. Surely my tactics, signings, incisive post-match comments and general 'couldn't care less' attitude show my total commitment to the cause.
Platt, Duguid, Virgo and McLeod will be the Torres, Scholes, Terry and Ronaldo of League One next year - you mark my words.
Show me the way to Cuckoo Farm...!
Jason, Colchester says...
10:40am Wed 7 May 08
Show me the way to Cuckoo Farm...!
There are plenty that would be more than willing to show you the way to the nearest Job Centre Mr Williams! Or perhaps Mr Cowling can recommend Jobserve to you instead.
Jobserve UK, Colchester says...
4:12pm Thu 8 May 08
Good luck Mr Watson. Come and see us, my boss has recommended you for some work and we may well be able to utilise your skills but you will need to be friendly with Mr Cowling and like watching Coronation Street. There are lots of opportunities for you.
Your sayYourColchester
Add your comment
Register for a FREE Gazette account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
Kevin Watson will not hang up his boots after being released by the U's.
In this section
- Colchester: Patients hit by hospital gas drama
- Thorpe-le-Soken: Singing dentist scoops $1 million record deal
- Harwich, Colchester: Smuggled dogs' fate secured by generous readers
- Jaywick: Securing coastline for 50 more years
- Colchester: Elderly couple battle blaze
- North Essex: Health bosses deny they are "ageist" in their policies
- Colchester: Final farewell to a brave soldier
- Colchester: Police find cannabis factory
- Great Yeldham: New burial ground with a difference
- Colchester: Hero is beefing up leukaemia charity walk
Essential Links
Sponsored Links
Editor's Choice
Colchester: Patients hit by hospital gas drama
Operating theatres were shut down and wards left without heating or hot water after workmen cut through a gas main at Colchester General Hospital.
Thorpe-le-Soken: Singing dentist scoops $1 million record deal
A singing dentist is thrilling instead of drilling after clinching a £1 million record deal.
Colchester: Elderly couple battle blaze
An elderly couple had a lucky escape after arsonists set fire to their front door in the middle of the night.
North Essex: Health bosses deny they are "ageist" in their policies
Health bosses have denied claims they are ageist in their planning of local services.
Colchester: Final farewell to a brave soldier
The family and friends of a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan paid tribute to him at a moving funeral service.
Colchester: Police find cannabis factory
Officers got more than they bargained for when they turned up to a disturbance in Colchester.
Dunne issues a rallying cry
Joe Dunne has issued an impassioned battle-cry ahead of Colchester United’s match at Gillingham tonight.
Identity crisis
There are people out there who would love to be just like you and me – for all the wrong reasons.
What's On Live Travel YourColchester
Hot Jobs
- Manager Grays
- Senior Science Technician Frinton on Sea
- Senior Care Co-ordinator
- Service Engineer Brightlingsea
- Registered Nurse, Assistant Nurse, Receptionist /
- Bus Drivers / PCV Drivers
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
roger, clacton says...
9:49am Tue 6 May 08