Colchester United legend Peter Wright has died at the age of 78 after a long battle with illness.

Wright signed first signed for the U's as a part-time professional in November 1951 and went on to make more than 450 league and cup appearances for them, before leaving in 1964.

The speedy winger was incredibly consistent during his time with the U's, where he rejected attempts to prise him away from the likes of Birmingham City, Fulham and Bolton Wanderers.

Despite having a couple of goals chalked off in the 1961-1962 season, Wright scored an impressive number of goals from the wing and hit the net more than 90 times during his time at Layer Road.

Wright was voted the club's Player of the Century in a poll in 2000 and remains one of the highest appearance makers in its history.

And his close connections with the club he loved continued beyond his playing years, being a regular follower at Layer Road and the Weston Homes Community Stadium and becoming chairman of the club's Former Players' Association in his later years.

See the Gazette tomorrow for a full tribute to one of Colchester United's greatest-ever players.