COLCHESTER United legend Karl Duguid returned to his former club today after being invited to spend time at their training ground.

The double U’s promotion winner was invited to Florence Park by management duo Danny and Nicky Cowley, who were eager to hear the former Colchester’s skipper’s views on the U’s.

Duguid, who made more than 450 appearances for the U’s, was captain of Phil Parkinson’s side that won a historic promotion to the Championship, in the 2005-06 season.

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Cowley said: “It’s been great to spend some time with Karl today and speak to him about his time at Colchester.

“It’s always something that Nicky and I have done at the clubs that we’ve been at.

“We’re always trying to create a connection, first and foremost, just with people that love the club and people that have Colchester United in their heart.

“I think this is important and also, it’s been great to speak to someone who was part of the successful Colchester team under Phil Parkinson that got to the Championship.

“Success always leaves clues so to pick his brains is important for us and for the football club, going forward.

“These are really good connections for us to make and really good relationships for us to build.

Gazette:

“We know where we want to take Colchester United, we’re absolutely clear.

“We know we have to deal with the League Two predicament we find ourselves in and where we want to take the club, moving forward.

“We also know that it’s not a one-man job or a two-man job; it’s that that’s going to require a whole community, a whole club ethic.”

As youngsters, Danny and Nicky Cowley were taken to Colchester home games by their father and remember watching games under the lights, at Layer Road.

“I remember sitting on the wooden benches,” added Cowley.

“Karl said he actually painted those benches, as an Academy player!

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“We spoke about scholars back then and the jobs that they had, compared to the ones today when you’re lucky today to get them to clean your boots!

“It’s important for young players to realise how fortunate they are to be in a profession they love.

“For me, I love the academy players to have almost experienced work outside of football, because I think they really value being a professional footballer.

“Sometimes, if they just go from school straight into being a professional footballer, they don’t realise what work looks like and how tough work can be, or what a nine to five or 40-plus hours a week looks like.

Gazette:

“I think if the academy players experience that they then come back into football with much more energy and drive and focus.”