Harford & Garcia: We`re Off!

An expected double-blow has been confirmed for Colchester United this morning as the town`s Evening Gazette carries headlines stating that Mick Harford and Richard Garcia are both on the verge of walking out on the Championship side.

Mick Harford will, as expected after talks, become Assistant to John Gregory at QPR, while Richard Garcia has admitted he could follow in the wake of yesterday`s reported interest from Hull City.

Garcia, 25, scored seven times last season and said: “It’s just nice knowing there is interest.” His comments in the paper come after weeks of protracted contract negotiations; U`s fans had also been disheartened to hear that he had only been offered a one-year extension to his contract.

In the Hull Daily Mail, Garcia is quoted today as saying: “From what I’ve heard the Tigers are trying to be ambitious. They have a new chairman who has come in to succeed.

“They are clearly a club that is looking forward and are obviously planning for promotion. I would like to be a part of that.”

Meanwhile, following the exits of Chris Iwelumo and Chris Barker (a Cardiff City loanee), the U`s must also deal with the loss of 48-year-old Harford, how had only been in Essex for a year and was appointed by previous U`s boss, Phil Parkinson.

The local paper reported that Mick had said leaving, where he signs a one-year contract, was “the toughest decision of his career.”

Early favourites to replace Haford are the club`s player-coach, Aidan Davison and former U`s legend and Charlton youth-team manager, Mark ‘Sheedy ‘ Kinsella.