International honours for trio

Katherine Nutman and Kate Longhurst's performances for the U's over recent weeks have earned them England honours.

And their club-mate Catherine Hyndman represented Northern Ireland Ladies at the Women's under-19 European Championships last month.

In addition, former Colchester defender Ria Percival, 17, represented New Zealand in the World Cup in China in September, taking on the likes of Denmark.

The U's ladies were all-conquering in the South East Combination League last season, winning the league title, reserve league crown and League Cup.

And their achievements have led to the club's players receiving deserved recognition, according to first team manager Dmitri Halajko.

He said: "To have Colchester United represented on the international stage is credit to every individual in the ladies set-up.

"It's not easy to produce international players.

"I've been to some of England's international games and looked at the programme and seen names from the likes of Arsenal and Charlton, so to have Colchester represented there too shows what we're really about.

"It doesn't get better than having Colchester players singing the national anthem and we have other players who are pushing for international honours."

Longhurst has been part of England's under-19 squad, having previously impressed for the country's under-15 and under-17 sides, in addition to the U's in the FA Women's Premier League South this season.

And Colchester centre-back Nutman - captain of the club's Centre of Excellence side - skippered England under-15s to a 3-2 win over Wales, at Llandarcy Park.

She had previously been named in England's under-15 development squad at Lilleshall National Sports Centre and Halajko added: "The coach was very pleased with Katherine's performance."

The U's Centre of Excellence side take on Ipswich Town tomorow.

And Colchester Ladies play host to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday at Clacton Town (kick-off 2pm).