Conor Wilkinson aiming to make impact at Colchester United

And not even missing out on the joy of a debut goal can diminish the forward’s glee at being at the U’s.

Wilkinson thought he made a goalscoring start to life at Colchester after they struck a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser in the 2-2 draw at Swindon Town, last weekend.

As it was, the 28-year-old’s backheel deflected in off team-mate Bradley Ihionvien, denying Wilkinson a goal on his first U’s appearance.

Nevertheless, the former Leyton Orient man was just glad to make an immediate impact, for his new club.

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Wilkinson said: “I’ve watched it back and it is Brad’s goal!

“I’m glad for him because I think it was his third professional goal and I didn’t really want to take that away from him.”

Wilkinson is now back in English football with Colchester, having spent the first half of the season at Motherwell.

He had been playing in central midfield for the Scottish Premiership side and says he is looking forward to playing in a more familiar attacking position, at the U’s.

“I think most people would know that I’m not really a centre midfielder; I like to attack and defending’s not really one of my strong points,” said Wilkinson, who has signed a contract until the summer of 2025 with Colchester.

“I had that conversation with my Motherwell manager (Stuart Kettlewell) and he said that if an opportunity came, he wouldn’t stand in the way of it.

“I was so far away from home, five and a half hours away so being two hours away from home and somewhere I can play in my position and hopefully show everyone what I can do means a lot more to me than being so far away.

“I could have gone on loan to a couple of League One clubs but a loan didn’t really appeal to me.

“I’ve moved around so much in my career and I’ve never really been somewhere for so long, apart from Bolton when I was there for five or six years.

“I found a home in Walsall with my fiancé and then we moved to Scotland, the summer after that.

“I just want to be settled and I think that’s when you’re probably going to play your best football.”

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One of Wilkinson’s most fruitful seasons in professional football was his 2020-21 campaign at Leyton Orient, when he scored 15 times playing in a wide position.

That was under current U’s head of recruitment Ross Embleton and the forward says the former O’s boss played his part in enticing him to Colchester.

He said: “Ross obviously got the best out of me so far, when I was at Leyton Orient.

“I got 15 goals in 40 games as a winger.

“I didn’t mind that because it complemented the team; we had a nine who played nine, we had someone who played on the left, so we all knew our roles.

“My role was to go and express myself, beat my man and put the ball in the back of the net.

“It worked really well and I’m looking to bring that to here now and to keep the other side of Essex happy.

“Ross and I had a few conversations, even at the start of the season before I signed for Motherwell.

“But my heart was set on Motherwell and I wanted to go and give something different a try.

“It didn’t work out but that’s just part of football, I think.

“I enjoyed it; it was something different and playing against Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park and Ibrox is something some people dream about, so I’m very grateful for that opportunity.

“I scored a few goals in the Scottish Premiership and I can say I’ve scored in most leagues in football now, so that’s obviously a bonus.

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“But family means quite a lot to me and being so far from home was the difficult part.”

Wilkinson’s arrival at Colchester came just hours before Danny and Nicky Cowley were unveiled as the club’s new managerial team, last week.

The duo are preparing for their first home game against Bradford City tomorrow, as they look to steer the U’s away from League Two relegation danger.

Wilkinson said: “Everyone in the building knows what a challenge we’ve got ahead of us and got our heads around that; the only way is up at the minute.

“The gaffer and Nicky have come in and been brilliant with us.

“It’s been very transparent, and training has been very spot on and intense and that’s what you need maybe, as a footballer.

“I think maybe the lads didn’t…just from speaking to a couple of them, training wasn’t as intense and the standard wasn’t as high as the gaffer and Nicky wanted.

“So they’ve put their stuff in place and we’re trying to hit that every day and go forward.

“I feel like it’s a clean slate for everyone.

“Some people might have not been involved as much as they’d have liked to.

“When any manager comes into the building it’s a clean slate, unless they’ve done something to really annoy them.

“It’s a chance for everybody to go out and show the gaffer what they can actually do and perform.”

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Wilkinson’s arrival has coincided with the departure of top scorer Joe Taylor, who has joined League One side Lincoln City on loan after being recalled by parent club Luton Town.

“Colchester have just lost their top scorer and I really want to step up and be that man now,” said Wilkinson, who started his career at Millwall.

“I like scoring goals; I might not have got as many as I’d have liked in my career but I think playing in different positions has an effect on it.

“I like to play up front with a partner; sometimes I can feel a bit isolated if I’m up there on my own.

“The gaffer and Nicky know that and they’ve been very transparent when they see me play and I’m very happy with that.

“I just need to get fit now and try and get into the team.”

Colchester will be aiming to follow up last week’s dramatic draw at Swindon with a win against Bradford tomorrow.

Wilkinson added: “I’m really looking forward to Bradford.

“From minute one, I think we’re going to let them know that they’re in for a game.

“No-one’s going to come to our home turf now and walk away with three points; it’s not going to be as easy as that.

“We’ve got a lot to fight for and we’ve got a lot to prove and I feel like we’re ready for that.

“I think everyone knows what a challenge we’ve got ahead of us and the only way is up.”