News

Curo On Charlton Capture Of Iwelumo

|
Image for Curo On Charlton Capture Of Iwelumo

Colchester United`s Chris Iwelumo finally left the club today, but will be sorely missed by all U`s fans, as well as fellow strike partner Jamie Cureton, who wished him well in the East Anglian Daily Times.

It is thought that Iwleumo, 28, was persuaded, beyond the obvious financial motivation to join the recently relegated side by the club`s scout, Mark Kinsella and assistant manager, Phil Parkinson, who each had spells at Colchester as player and manager respectively.

He was out of contract, following a highly productive two-year spell, during which Colchester secured a League One promotion and then, in the season just ended, almost qualified for the Championship play-off places.

On the news that the former Stoke and Brighton hit-man will sign a three-year contract, Cureton said: “You can understand why Chris (Iwelumo) has taken this decision. It’s a great opportunity for him.”

We’ve been very close friends, both on and off the pitch, and it’s been great playing alongside him.

“I don’t think the Colchester fans can grumble, because you can’t argue with his record, scoring 19 goals one season and 18 the next.

“Chris has given good service to Colchester, though perhaps the club could have done a little more to try and keep him. Once his contract had been allowed to run down to less than six months, he was always likely to go. That ploy can often backfire.

“But it’s hard for a club like Colchester to compete. Charlton are coming down from the Premiership, and so will be given a lot of parachute money as well (£20m over the next two years).

“It would have been very difficult for Chris to turn down such an offer.

“They will probably sell a couple of their current strikers, so Chris should be a big player for them next season,” added Cureton.

The remaining half of the Championship`s most lethal partnership of last season also added that the club need now to invest in new forward players; the club have not get given up on trying to prize Hogan Ephraim away from West Ham.

Cureton explained: “We were perhaps one striker short last season, so I reckon we need to sign a couple of strikers over the summer.

“Richard (Garcia) is also out of contract, and if he goes, then perhaps we’ll need three, because Richard was always another option up front. That would leave only me and Jamie (Guy).”

Share this article

All For One & One For All!

7 comments

  • davecook says:

    Whats Iwelumo like then? I know more of Varney but have to confess i have klittle knowlege of this fella. You all seem to speak well enough of him.

  • Matt_Us says:

    Iwelumo is a very hardworking player, who has scored goals wherever he has been. I think him an Varney will do well because it’s a quick little guy alongside a tall fella. He deserves this chance at Charlton and would relish it in the Prem if he takes you back there! He socred 18 last season; set up counless others for Jamie Curo. Is also on the verge of a Scotland call-up! What else do you want to know?

  • cropped says:

    Thought I would show my face… been sulking after Stockport missed out of the play offs… when is your new stadium ready guys? Also any one from Greenstead on here?

  • cropped says:

    Forgot to say… re: Greenstead.. Is the Centurion boozer still open? Heard someone say it had been knocked down. Likewise the 6 Bells?

  • Matt_Us says:

    Unlucky with the play-offs, thanks for the comments. Next season should be the last at Layer Road and so the new stadium, at the moment, will open in 2008- 2009 season

  • Matt_Us says:

    I have to say that I think you are correct about those two pubs, but when Deeno gets here, he’ll be able to tell you for sure!

  • Deeno says:

    Live out of town mate so really havnt a clue. Sorry.

Comments are closed.