ASPIRING footballers were left heartbroken by the collapse of the Colchester United Community Sports Trust (CUCST).

The sports charity closed its doors on Monday and announced 38 job losses.

Its closure left parents out of pocket and their children, who were chasing dreams of playing professionally, devastated.

While some families were told the news by telephone around 50 parents arrived at a Trust organised coaching session Wednesday unaware it was cancelled.

Children left the Shrub End Sports centre in tears after being told by recently made redundant coaches that the trust was no more.