A HOST of former Colchester United favourites showed that class is permanent in a charity match at Halstead Town's Milbank Stadium, on Sunday.

U's legend Karl Duguid skippered an ex-professionals XI team against a Halstead Town Legends side in a match that raised money for Cancer Research and other charities.

The likes of George Elokobi, John White and former U's boss Joe Dunne were also in action for the ex-professionals XI, who won 1-0 thanks to Louis Dunne's first-half goal.

There was a bumper turnout for the match in the sunshine and U's promotion winner Duguid, who skippered his side, said he relished getting back out on the pitch.

He said: "It was a real good turnout and it was great to see lots of Colchester fans and local people that you see in and around town.

"It's a bit of normality which everyone has probably needed and the weather has helped, so it was a successful day.

Gazette:

"It was a really good tough game.

"Halstead had a few young lads in there as we did with the likes of Louis (Dunne), which made a real good game of it.

"It was great that the likes of Peter Cawley, Joe Dunne and Paul Abrahams were here, too.

"You know what footballers are like - they sit on the side and they can't wait to get on play!

"I didn't expect some of them to play to be fair but it was just nice that they were here and they got on the pitch.

"The likes of John (White) and George (Elokobi) too - I've played with every single one of these boys and it's just nice to be in and around them again.

"I love to help out people.

"The charities are fantastic and it gives me the opportunity to get some lads together and have a laugh.

"There are people that you've not seen for a number of years and you crack on and talk to them as if it was yesterday."