Colchester MP Bob Russell today urged the club's fans to get right behind new manager Steve Whitton and the U's players.

Russell said: "The club has lost two managers inside a year so I want every football supporter in Colchester and the surrounding districts to get right behind the club and new manager Steve Whitton. Now is not the time for everyone to start raking over the past.

"Colchester United Football Club is the most important thing for all of us and we must all rally behind the club to move forward together."

Russell's support was graciously received by Whitton who said: "We need all the support we can get. All I want is a chance to show everyone what I as a manager am capable of.

"I will be looking to play football that is pleasing to the eye, pleasing to the crowd and pleasing for the players to play.

"But I will also be looking to instill a mental and physical toughness into our game that will make Colchester United a very hard team to beat."

Whitton added: "I am really looking forward to putting my own ideas into practice, but it's the players that matter and I will be speaking to all of them today."

He did, however, rule out any prospects of a return to the club for former Layer Road favourites such as Joe Dunne, Paul Abrahams and Simon Betts who were handed free transfers at the end of last season.

New Colchester manager Steve Whitton

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