Baldwin snubs rivals (From Gazette)

Baldwin snubs rivals

10:56am Thursday 2nd July 2009 in

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Pat Baldwin has revealed he snubbed several offers from rival clubs in deciding to stay at Colchester United.

The long-serving U’s defender is on the verge of penning a new deal to remain at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Baldwin, 26, has been a free agent this summer, after his contract expired.

However, after discussions with Colchester, he is ready to ink a new deal with the U’s.

Baldwin told the Gazette: “I always said that I wanted to sign again.

“There were one or two things that needed to be ironed out.

“But I hope that I will sign it in the next few days.

“I had quite a few offers and I owed it to myself to think about them.

“But I went on my holiday and knew that I’d be happiest being a Colchester player.”

Baldwin and the rest of the Colchester squad begin pre-season this morning with their first training session of the summer.

However, aside from a brief break, the U’s players have been working hard on their fitness since the end of last season.

Baldwin is feeling particular fit, having successfully completed the Three Peaks Challenge, last weekend.

The former Chelsea trainee was part of a group of walkers who conquered Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon, so far raising £800 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Now he is ready to embark on another long season – his eighth as a Colchester player.

“Pre-season is very hard work and it’s shattering,” said Baldwin.

“As you get older, it gets a little bit harder but it’s part and parcel of being a footballer.

“We have been given programmes to work on and I’ve had the walking, too.”

Colchester will have several new faces on show at Five Lakes today.

New signings Magnus Okuonghae, David Fox and Lee Beevers will all be present.

And Alan Maybury and Ashley Vincent – who played for the U’s last season – have committed themselves to Paul Lambert’s side on longer deals.

Baldwin believes the newcomers will only enhance the club’s chances in Coca-Cola League One.

He added: “It’s good to have competition for places.

“It’s something we lacked a bit last year.

“It was difficult with the injuries and with Coyney’s international commitments.

“But with the new signings coming in, we will only benefit from that next year.

l U’s striker Scott Vernon has been linked with Carlisle United, as part of the deal to take goalkeeper Ben Williams to the Community Stadium.

Vernon, 25, found his first-team opportunities limited under manager Lambert last season.