Gerken Going Great Guns – Aidan

Colchester United`s veteran Goalkeeper Aidan Davison has hailed the club`s young starlet Dean Gerken for his top-draw performances between the sticks during the latter part of the 2006/7 season.

In a video featured on the club`s official website, Aidan, who began last year as first-choice stopper, explained that he was “delighted” to delay his retirement in order to aid in the development of Colchester`s latest bringht, young prospect.

Davison, who had been due to retire to the USA with his wife and family this summer, has previously gone on record as saying that Gerken, 21, has a fantastic chance to don the England national team jersey between the sticks.

Yesterday the former Northern Ireland international, now unofficially Gerken`s coach and mentor, as well as U`s sub-keeper, said: “I’ve been delighted with Dean, he’s grown in stature since he’s been in the team.”

“His decision making for a young lad has been really consistent which is unusual. I certainly wasn’t as consistent at that age.”