Colchester United’s academy players aiming to make breakthrough

The likes of Junior Tchamadeu, Noah Chilvers and Samson Tovide have all made a big impact for the U’s, in the EFL.

But who are the next batch of youngsters looking to make their mark after being retained by Colchester, this summer?

The Gazette looks at some of the hot prospects who will be aiming to force their way into Ben Garner’s plans in pre-season and beyond.

BRADLEY IHIONVIEN

Striker Ihionvien has been a prolific goalscorer for Colchester’s under-21 side, this season.

And he has already caught the eye of U’s boss, Ben Garner.

The 19-year-old was included in the U's squad that travelled to Leyton Orient for the 2-2 draw at Brisbane Road, in March.

Ihionvien made his senior Colchester debut on the final day of last season after coming on as a second-half substitute at Hartlepool United.

CHAY COOPER

Former Spurs youngster Cooper suffered disappointment at the end of last season after losing out in the National League South play-off final.

Nevertheless, the 21-year-old midfielder made a favourable impression during his time with the Hertfordshire club, racking up plenty of goals and assists.

Cooper made five appearances for Colchester in the 2021-22 season, his first campaign with the club and will be aiming to build on that tally, next time around.

GENE KENNEDY

The midfielder has just experienced a frustrating campaign due to injury and will be hoping the 2023-24 season will be a more productive one.

The 20-year-old has already had a taste of first-team action, having made nine appearances for the U’s under Hayden Mullins and Wayne Brown in the 2021-22 season.

Kennedy has plenty of competition in the midfield area but will be aiming to kick on, this season.

DONELL THOMAS

Thomas has just returned from a productive loan spell at Pitching In Isthmian League Premier outfit Bishop’s Stortford, where he played his part in helping them win promotion to National League North.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has shown an eye for goal for the U’s under-21s in the Professional Development League and has looked a lively customer.

Thomas has already made his first-team debut, having been sent on as a substitute by Wayne Brown in their game against Forest Green Rovers in March, 2022.

JAKE HUTCHINSON

Promising striker Hutchinson is another U’s youngster who has just benefited from a good loan spell away from Colchester.

The 21-year-old striker impressed in the National League with Aldershot Town and will be looking to carry that experience back to Colchester, for the 2023-24 season.

Hutchinson, who joined the U’s from Brighton and Hove Albion, has also had a number of other loan spells away from Florence Park, playing for the likes of Eastbourne Borough, Tonbridge Angels, Grays Athletic, Brightlingsea Regent and Hitchin Town.

He has also had a taste of first-team involvement, having been included in the matchday squad for a League Two game at Morecambe, in 2020.

RYAN LOWE

Lowe will be aiming to make the breakthrough into the first-team reckoning next season, after playing regularly for the U’s under-21s in the Professional Development League.

The midfielder signed his first professional contract in February 2022, having previously skippered Colchester's under-18 side in their excellent FA Youth Cup run.

Last season, Lowe was an unused substitute for Colchester in their 1-0 win at Leyton Orient, in League Two.

FRANKIE TERRY

Defender Terry will have been buoyed by his impressive loan spell at National League South side Chelmsford City.

The 20-year-old centre-back was a regular at the heart of the Clarets defence and scored his first senior goal for them in a game against Slough Town, in February.

Terry, whose spell at Melbourne Park was cut short by injury, has already tasted life with the first team at Colchester and was an unused substitute for their 0-0 draw at Bradford City in League Two in the 2021-22 season.

Frankie had earlier linked up with the U's first-team squad for the first time in the final few weeks of last season, travelling with them to their game at Cheltenham Town.

Frankie is following in the footsteps of his famous talented football family members.

The former Notley High School pupil is the son of former Yeovil Town and Leyton Orient midfielder Paul Terry and the nephew of former Chelsea and England defender John Terry and ex-Liverpool and England full-back, Paul Konchesky.

TED COLLINS

Young goalkeeper Collins is battled back from an injury which sidelined him for the final months of this season.

Collins broke his Tibia while playing on loan at Pitching In Isthmian League side Potters Bar Town but is now ready to try and catch the eye in pre-season, for Colchester.

The young shot-stopper made his senior debut for the U’s in January 2022, when he was thrust into the action as a substitute in Colchester's 1-1 draw with Swindon Town, following Shamal George's red card for violent conduct.

Collins grew up and still lives in Wivenhoe and was a pupil at Broomgrove School, before attending the Colne College in Brightlingsea.

He joined the Colchester Academy at the age of ten, having played locally for Wivenhoe Youth.

Having earned himself a scholarship with the U’s as he progressed from the under-16s, he was in competition with Callum Coulter for the under-18 keeper’s spot.

Collins then played numerous good games for the under-23s over recent years and during that time, has also had loan spells at Maldon and Tiptree and Holland FC.

OSCAR THORN

Thorn is a relative newcomer to the Colchester academy, having joined them from Norwich City in January.

The teenager, who can play as a striker or off the wing, signed a one-and-a-half-year deal with the U’s so this is a big season coming up for the former Canaries youth players.

Thorn, who is comfortable down the left, middle or right of the forward line, made the U’s bench for their home clash with Northampton Town in February and will be hoping for plenty of similar opportunities under Ben Garner, next season.

HARRY BEADLE

Like Thomas, defender Beadle enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Pitching In Isthmian League Premier champions Bishop’s Stortford this season, playing regularly and gaining valuable experience.

The centre-back will be aiming to make that all-important breakthrough into the first team reckoning in what is a hugely competitive position.

Beadle was involved with Colchester's first-team squad last season and has been a regular for their under-21s.

The 20-year-old joined the U's on a one-year professional contract last summer, having been with Charlton Athletic's academy.

He made his professional debut for Colchester when he featured in their Papa John's Trophy defeat to Gillingham in September, 2021.

KAAN BENNETT

Bennett spent time on loan at Needham Market this season and the teenage attacker will be hoping to kick on further, in the next campaign.

The 18-year-old has been a regular in the U’s under-21 side, scoring goals on a regular basis.

Bennett has already featured for Colchester’s first team, appearing as a second-half substitute in their 2-0 win over Hartlepool United on the final day of the 2021-22 season.