WAYNE Brown has been appointed Colchester United's head coach on a permanent basis.

The 44-year-old was unveiled as the club's full-time boss today, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Brown will continue to be assisted by Joe Dunne and Dave Huzzey, who worked effectively alongside him during his interim spell in charge.

Brown said: "I'm proud, honoured and privileged to be given the position on a permanent basis.

"It's a fantastic club.

"I've been here many, many years and seeing how it's structured, how it's run and I really hope that we can bring the successes and the positive results to the football club, whilst we're here.

“When you’ve given your time and services to a club, it is part of you.

“It brings even more importance and a greater mentality to bring success to the football club, having had so many years here.

“It’s an exciting time for myself - there’s lots of hard work that comes with that and sacrifice that comes with that but it’s something that I’ve wanted for a while and I’ve got an opportunity now to try and get those positive results on the board.”

Brown has been rewarded for keeping Colchester in League Two during his spell as the club's interim boss, this season.

The former U's defender took temporary charge in January with the club languishing three points above the relegation zone and on the back of five straight defeats.

Brown, working alongside Joe Dunne and Dave Huzzey, led Colchester to a 15th-place finish, 17 points clear of the drop zone.

The U's had a strong finish to the season, taking ten points from a possible 12 in their final four games.

Now Brown is tasked with ensuring Colchester challenge at the other end of the table.