COLCHESTER United’s all-time leading goalscorer Tony Adcock believes the prospect of Wembley glory should be driving the club’s current team on.

Adcock, who hit a prolific 149 goals for the U’s during two separate spells at Layer Road, knows exactly what it is like to go up via the play-offs.

The 56-year-old was part of Steve Wignall’s Colchester squad that won the division three play-off final at Wembley in 1998 and achieved the same feat with Peterborough United, six years earlier.

Colchester are hoping to seal a play-off spot this season and lie a point off the top seven in League Two, with six games remaining.

And as John McGreal’s side continue their promotion hunt, former striker Adcock says moving back up to the third tier would be a big boost.

Adcock told the Gazette: “To play at Wembley and win promotion at the same time is always a fantastic thing you can do.

“It’s a strong league but I think if Colchester can get into those play-offs, you never know.

“You always want to strive for the play-offs, if you can’t get automatic promotion.

“Hopefully, they can start moving up the leagues and get their stadium filled out, because that’s where it needs to be.

“It’s difficult to fill out new stadiums and I think it’s the same for most of the lower league teams who have got new stadiums.

“It means having good seasons and getting in the higher leagues – that’s what football should be.”

Adcock rose through the youth ranks at Colchester, making his league debut for them as an 18-year-old in 1981.

He went on to play nearly 400 games for the U’s during his two stints at the club.

The former U's forward is pleased to see fellow home-grown players like Sammie Szmodics, Frankie Kent and Tom Lapslie tread the same path.

“I was always told as a youngster that there’s always one way you want to go and that’s up through the higher divisions,” said Adcock, who also played for the likes of Manchester City, Luton Town and Bradford City during his 18-year professional career.

“Colchester have always produced good youngsters and goalscorers and tried to play football in the right way, which is what should be pleasing for the fans.

“It’s always had great history over the years, with things like the Leeds game.

“We’ve had our ups and downs but the club has always tried to play in the right way.

“It was probably a little bit easier when I played, because you were apprentices.

“The football world was totally different, in those days.

“It’s probably harder for kids to get involved at clubs and you have to be special.

“You have to be able to work really hard and you also have to have the ability.

“I see myself as very fortunate to have played as a professional footballer but also to have played for Colchester.”