COLCHESTER United legend Karl Duguid is back in football management.

The U's legend, who made more than 450 appearances for Colchester during two spells at the club, has taken over as joint manager of Coggeshall Town with former Spurs defender, Stuart Nethercott.

Duguid. who had previously worked with Nethercott at Heybridge Swifts in the last few seasons, had most recently been working as assistant manager at Essex Senior League club Stanway Rovers.

The U's double promotion winner will now link up with Nethercott at Pitching In Isthmian League division north side Coggeshall, who are jointly owned by pop star Olly Murs.

The Seed Growers are currently 12th after nine games and are hoping to move up the table, with the play-offs still their main objective.

Duguid told the Coggeshall website: “The opportunity to manage Coggeshall Town and build on their recent successes and the excellent foundations Graeme, Olly and John have built in such a short space of time is something that excites me and I can’t wait to get going.

 

“The squad is in great shape and there’s a real excitement amongst the boys of what we can push on and achieve this season.

“I’m pleased to be working alongside Neths (Stuart Nethercott) and Pully (Michael Pulford) as I did at Heybridge and as a management team we feel we have the experience and attributes to take Coggeshall to the next level and beyond.”

Duguid, who won promotion with Colchester in both 1998 and 2006, enjoyed a superb professional playing career, helping Colchester achieve the highest-ever finish in their history back in 2007.

He has been coaching and holding one-to-one sessions for a number of years following his last professional game for the U's in May, 2014.

He has joined forces with Nethercott, who has previous managerial experience at Maldon Town, Ware, Heybridge Swifts and Coggeshall, when they won the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties title and promotion to the Isthmian League.

The duo will be assisted by Michael Pulford, who will work in the role of Head of Recruitment and Scouting.

Pulford said: “We’re so grateful to Graeme, Olly and John for the opportunity to come into Coggeshall and help them on their journey up the football pyramid.

"We’re lucky to inherit a talented and experienced squad and although there may be one or two additions as we move forwards, we think we have the talent to keep pushing the club forward.”