MATT Bloomfield believes the appointment of Richard Thomas as Colchester United's new assistant head coach is a 'coup' for the club.

And the U's boss has revealed that the former Wales Ladies number two beat off tough competition from other 'incredible' candidates to land the job.

Thomas has been busy on the training ground this week with Colchester's players, as they prepare for their visit to Newport County.

The former Watford and Leyton Orient academy head will work closely alongside Bloomfield and the U's boss says he is delighted to have Thomas alongside him.

Bloomfield said: “Richard is an elite level coach.

“He’s got loads of experience in the game at both first team and development level, so to have him out on the grass and deliver three days of training so far to the boys and get loads of information into them, hopefully it’s accelerated our learning a little bit and we’re looking forward to keep doing that, moving forward.

“Richard’s appointment has come from a recommendation from someone at the football club.

“Football is quite a small world, in terms of people with good reputations – they get known in the football world.

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“I knew he was an elite level coach and there were a couple of phone calls and a couple of Zoom meetings with him.

“He’s been away with Wales Ladies for a ten-day camp, so we did as much as we could online and over the phone.

“I also met some other incredible candidates and it was great to speak to five people in total and essentially as head coach, I had to make a decision about who I wanted to work with and Richard was that guy.

“We struck up a rapport straight away and I sought the opinion of people I trust who know Richard already.

“He also knew Lee Harrison from the time together at Leyton Orient and he also knew Dmitri (Halajko) and Ross Embleton, so he wasn’t a stranger to anyone in the building.

“He came in last week and had a little look around and felt right at home.

 

“I’m really pleased to have him alongside me with Lee and we’re really, really pleased to have that team in place."

Thomas boasts vast coaching experience within the game in a variety of different roles, spanning two decades.

He also previously worked alongside Kevin Nolan as Notts County's assistant manager.

“It’s a coup for me, to have Richard," added Bloomfield, who has now completed his Colchester coaching team, with goalkeeper Lee Harrison already in place.

“I knew the type of coach and person I was looking for to work alongside and he ticked all of those boxes and more, so when there was a chance of getting him in, we were really, really excited about that.

“We’re really chuffed to have him in the building.

“He’s excellent on the grass, in his opinions and his tactical knowledge and nous, contacts and knowledge about the game so I’m really, really pleased to have him alongside Lee (Harrison) who also brings that expert knowledge base working with the goalies and also opinions on team selection and all the rest of it.

“As a team, it’s really, really strong and I’m really pleased to have those guys with me."