Colchester United raised some still disbelieving eyebrows and also smiles across Essex this afternoon, appointing a blockbuster man Robbie Cowling always promised would have great pedigree.
As Aidy Boothroyd declared himself more excited than he had been in a long time, the press gallery fired off a most obvious question. First and foremost, why would an ex-Premiership manager choose Colchester United?
“The main reason I came here, without embarrassing him, is the Chairman. In this day and age, we hear horror stories about Chairmen picking the team and everything else. I was lucky enough to cross paths with Robbie and I immediately liked him.”
In that sense, club Chairman Cowling continues to ascend in the estimation of Colchester`s public with every big-name deal he brokers: Teddy Sheringham was followed by the European Cup-winning Paul Lambert and his hat-trick of household names from modern football is rounded-off as the club snare Boothroyd.
Colchester’s pulling power has certainly increased since he started pulling strings, of that there is little doubt.
Boothroyd continued: “Secondly, the club I think is a progressive club and it`s a club that wants to go forward. The ground is fantastic and can be built on; it`s almost like a new project. We`re building a new training ground that`ll be ready next year so, it`s all set up.
“I`ve seen the squad and that we`ve scored some goals, there`s a real nice balance to it in terms of experience, youth and ability. I`ve not been this excited for a long time; I`m really looking forward to it.”
The new manager confirmed he had been primed prior to his appointment, showing a studious side by watching re-runs of all the club`s games on DVD before being hired, ahead of his first game against Southampton.
He also did some myth-busting, countering claims he is simply a long-ball merchant, while telling an assembled crew of around a dozen media-members that all players in his squad now have a clean slate to work from,too.
Watch out League One, because Aidy Boothrod has landed! 
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Wouldn’t it be good to complete the double over narge with a side including some of Lambert’s ‘cast offs’!
Well, as a fan I’d be lying if I said no! But the club wants everyone to forget about that as best they can, really, and move on with a new era and I agree with that very much. Healthy for the football club!
Great to see aidy back in managemant! bags of enthusiasm a wright character. The football watford played under aidy is some of the best i had seen at watford in my time. Quite certain he can bring the same to colchester!
Golden Looney – thanks, I have been pleased to get the good wishes of all Watford fans today and can say having met him there at the ground that that he is a character. Should be a great new era under him. Top-notch news!
Thanks, Golden Looney. It would be good Tubbsy, no doubt about that. Bring on the Saints in what I say..!!! Aidy Boothroyd’s Barmy Army!
I’m sure we’ll have fun making up chats and all, I’m so optomistic now. Fantastic!
Fantastic. Could’nt be happier with Aidy. 1st choice for me. Up the U’s!!