DANNY Cowley insists he is determined to build a winning Colchester United team that everyone can be proud of.

The U’s head coach has set to work in his bid to assemble a squad capable of competing at the right end of League Two next season, following several years of struggle at the JobServe Community Stadium.

A number of players have been released this week at the end of their contracts and plenty of change is expected at Colchester this summer, as the club hunt new signings to play in the Cowleys’ new-look side.

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Cowley said: “We just want so much more for the club.

“We want so much more for Robbie (Cowling), we want so much more for our wonderful supporters and we’re really determined and really focused to try to put together a winning team that the people of Colchester can be proud to be associated with.

“If there’s a will, there’s a way and there’s definitely a good will from everybody at the football club.

“League Two is a very competitive league and there’s not much between the top and the bottom of the division.

Gazette: Danny Cowley

“You’ve only got to look at the game against Crewe, who finished fifth in the division in the end.

“We finished 22nd and I think anyone who was at the game would have said that we were the better team.

“But I suppose we still didn’t find a way of winning the game and maybe that performance epitomised the 2023/24 Colchester United team.”

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Experienced duo John Akinde and Tom Dallison were among the players to be released by Colchester, earlier this week.

Sam Hornby and Marley Marshall Miranda will also depart, along with a host of under-21 players.

“Of course, it’s always sad when you see players go but sometimes, it’s best for all parties and you can thank them for their efforts and what they did for the club in the time that they were there and wish them well for their future,” added Cowley.

Gazette:

“When you work with people in an intense environment like the football industry, then you have a special bond.

“We’ll forever look out for them now and look out for their careers and really hope that they go on to good things.”