COLCHESTER United's historic elevation to the Championship back in 2006 remains one of the club's biggest-ever achievements.

Phil Parkinson led his side to promotion from League One in the 2005-06 campaign, securing them second-tier status for the first time in the club's history.

At the end of that memorable season, Parkinson dropped into the Gazette office and spoke candidly to sports reporter Francis Ponder about every single member of his promotion-winning squad.

Here is the exclusive article, first published in May 2006 just days after the U's promotion triumph, in full as Parky gives the lowdown on the players who created Colchester United history.

AIDAN DAVISON

POSITION: GOALKEEPER

GAMES PLAYED: 45

AIDAN Davison is an important player for me on and off the pitch.

He has come in and been one of the most important signings since I have been at Colchester United.

After he left Grimsby Town I was concerned that he was going to pack up and call it a day.

But he didn't and he has given us eight out of ten every game this season.

That is what he is all about, solid on and off the pitch.

DEAN GERKEN

POSITION: GOALKEEPER

GAMES PLAYED: 14

DEAN Gerken has pushed Aidan Davison all the way this season and, as a result, has kept Aidan going.

He had to wait for his chance and he took it well.

His performances in the last three games, for me, were incredible.

He proved why people talk about him so much and I have no doubt that he will be a top keeper.

Dean really has been excellent.

WAYNE BROWN

POSITION: DEFENCE

GAMES PLAYED: 45

GOALS SCORED: 3

IT'S well documented about the skin cancer scare he had and the way he has dealt with that really does show how much courage he has.

It tells you all you need to know about him.

He carried on through a difficult time and played well.

He deserves every accolade he has got this season, a season that he will never forget.

LIAM CHILVERS

POSITION: DEFENCE

GAMES PLAYED: 40

GOALS SCORED: 2

LIAM has been a key player and part of a back four that has the best defensive record in the League.

He had a hernia operation and took time to get back but he did go back to the standards that he had set.

He is calm under pressure and I feel the more experience he gets then the more of a leader he is becoming at the back.

PAT BALDWIN

POSITION: DEFENCE

GAMES PLAYED: 34

GOALS SCORED: 0

PAT'S season did not start off great, which was a disappointment for him after the superb time he had last year.

But Pat responded well and ended up playing a big part in the best defensive record of the division.

I always know Pat has the temperament to handle the pressure of the big games as he proved against Chelsea and Yeovil.

GEORGE ELOKOBI

POSITION: DEFENCE

GAMES PLAYED: 17

GOALS SCORED: 2

WHEN George first turned up at the club I had the intention of putting him in the youth team for a year, but within a month I had him training with the first team squad.

He has got a great desire and he shows that every time he pulls on the shirt.

The fans love that and this is what has made him a favourite so quickly.

GARRY RICHARDS

POSITION: DEFENCE

GAMES PLAYED: 19

GOALS SCORED: 0

GARRY is one of the youngsters who really has played above our expectations.

He was thrown in at the deep end at Bristol City, in front of a massive crowd and a television audience and he simply did not look out of place.

He's done well and next season he will be fighting hard for a first team place.

His attitude all season was first-class.

JOHN WHITE

POSITION: DEFENCE

GAMES PLAYED: 41

GOAL SCORED: 0

I HAVE never had any concerns about putting him in the amount of games he did in his first year as a professional.

He was given a break after the Chelsea game and I think he came back better.

He is confident, brave, a good decision-maker and, most of all, an honest lad.

SAM STOCKLEY

POSITION: DEFENCE

GAMES PLAYED: 34

GOALS SCORED: 1

SAM always gave 100 per cent and that's why the fans love him add are sorry to see him leave.

His contract was up, though and I let him go on loan because I had to be fair to him, for all he had done for us and give him the chance to earn a contract.

But the promotion goes on his CV.

KARL DUGUID

POSITION: DEFENCE/MIDFIELD

GAMES PLAYED: 45

GOALS SCORED: 1

KARL is one of the stories of the season.

He went from being stretchered off the training pitch with his career in jeopardy to standing at the balcony of the town hall with his promotion trophy.

He's an immense character, what you need in a promotion season.

NEIL DANNS

POSITION: MIDFIELD

GAMES PLAYED: 51

GOALS SCORED: 16

WHAT can I say? He has chipped in with 16 goals and has really developed, this year.

He has an infectious character and he is totally committed.

He made a big decision to come down all the way from Liverpool last year.

He started the season slowly but he did something about it.

He trained hard and ended up with a season to remember.

GREG HALFORD

POSITION: MIDFIELD

GAMES PLAYED: 55

GOALS SCORED: 8

GREG has made a massive contribution to Colchester United, this season.

He has netted eight goals, created a lot more and been at the heart of a lot of the play.

He has played in all of the important games.

I have no doubts he will be able to cut it in the Coca-Cola Championship, next season.

KEVIN WATSON

POSITION: MIDFIELD

GAMES PLAYED: 52

GOALS SCORED: 1

KEV has been another key player.

What I like about him is that he has the courage to get on the ball.

The bigger the game the more he wants it and he is one of those players who just gets better with time.

He's an instrumental player on the pitch and in the dressing room.

KEM IZZET

POSITION: MIDFIELD

GAMES PLAYED: 41

GOALS: 0

I THINK Kem has been unlucky to pick up injuries at the wrong times.

For the majority of the season we have gone with Neil Danns and Kevin Watson in the middle.

Kem, however, is competing hard for that place and has come in and done a job for us every time without fail.

MARK YEATES

POSITION: MIDFIELD

GAMES PLAYED: 52

GOALS SCORED: 6

YEATSY has come in and given us that creativity we needed.

He's scored six and created 15 goals - great statistics.

His attitude has been great while on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

He considered himself a Colchester lad and fitted straight in for the whole season, which has been a great experience for him.

JAMIE CURETON

POSITION: STRIKER

GAMES PLAYED: 10

GOALS SCORED: 7

CURETON came in and scored seven goals in ten games and that doesn't surprise me.

He got us going at a difficult time when confidence was a bit low in front of goal.

He is an out and out predator.

CHRIS IWELUMO

POSITION: STRIKER

GAMES PLAYED: 55

GOALS SCORED: 19

OUTSTANDING bearing in mind he has had a knee problem most of the season.

There was a period when he was tired out but we pushed him through to get every ounce out of him and he has started every League game for us.

For a big target played like him to get 19 goals is superb.

GARETH WILLIAMS

POSITION: STRIKER

GAMES PLAYED: 26

GOALS SCORED: 2

THERE is a tight line in football and I think it could have worked out differently with Gareth.

He didn't get the goals that his performance warranted.

I thank him for his contribution and hope that he can go and get a full season next term.

RICHARD GARCIA

POSITION: STRIKER

GAMES PLAYED: 31

GOALS SCORED: 8

RICH is one of the most unlucky players with injury I know.

But he has made a tremendous contribution this year.

He gives 100 per cent and is committed for every game.

With a full pre-season under his belt, he will flourish in the Championship.

SCOTT VERNON

POSITION: STRIKER

GAMES PLAYED: 7

GOALS SCORED: 1

SCOTT came in when we needed to change things in the squad.

His match-fitness needed to come up and he worked hard on that.

He took his chance when it came and his goal at Bournemouth was a key one in our season.

TONY THORPE

POSITION: STRIKER

GAMES PLAYED: 14

GOALS SCORED: 0

TONY has been unlucky not to get the goals.

He's hit the woodwork and had shots saved.

However, there is no doubting his performance against Swindon Town and he got the penalty that won the game for us.

BILLY CLARKE

POSITION: STRIKER

GAMES PLAYED: 6

GOALS SCORED: 0

BILLY made a great debut against Hartlepool but got a hamstring injury afterwards.

Scott came in and took his chance but Billy goes back to Ipswich with a great experience of this season.

JAMAL CAMPBELL-RYCE

POSITION: MIDFIELD

GAMES PLAYED: 4

GOALS SCORED: 0

JAMAL had a turbulent season with the deal between Rotherham and Southend.

But he has come here and done his bit and there are not many players who can boast being part of two promotion campaigns in one season.