COLCHESTER United promotion winner John White has decided to call time on his impressive playing career.

The 37-year-old, who was part of the U’s team that won a historic promotion to the Championship under Phil Parkinson in the 2005-06 season, has brought the curtain down on his time as a player.

It started at Colchester and spanned 22 years and more than 600 club appearances.

White, who made more than 200 appearances for home town club Colchester, has been at Braintree Town since joining them as a player in the summer of 2022, following his exit from Southend and is currently Iron's assistant manager alongside Angelo Harrop, who led the club to promotion to the National League. 

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He also previously played for Southend United, with whom he won promotion to League One at Wembley Stadium in 2015 and also represented Stevenage and Wimborne Town.

In a statement, White said: 'Well that's season number 22 done and it hasn't ended the same way it started.

'After 22 years and 600+ club appearances, I have decided it is the right time to officially hang up my playing boots as I have moved into a new phase of my career.

'Those that have followed my progress will know I stepped up to assistant manager at Braintree Town this season and have loved every minute.

Gazette:

'I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has had the slightest impact on my career to those that have helped mould me into the man I am today.

'Special thanks have to go to my wife Lianne, son Jacob and stepdaughter Danhi for being my rocks, my parents and brother for being there for me from the start, I couldn't have done it without you.

'I would like to thank the clubs that I have played for, for giving me the opportunities to do the thing I've loved since I was a small child, the managers, coaches, back room staff, players, journalists and fans that have been there through the highs and lows.

'Thank you Colchester United for all those incredible years coming through the youth team to making it pro, playing in the fifth round of the FA Cup, getting promoted, playing in the Championship, and so many more memories with great people.

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'Special mention to Phil Parkinson (now at Wrexham) for giving me my debut and believing in me to get the job done.

'Thank you, Stevenage, for giving me a chance to play some football when opportunities were lacking and then giving me the drive to complete the season in the championship.

'Thank you Wimborne Town for being incredible at a time I was beginning to doubt if my love for the game was still there. What an extraordinary club, surrounded by incredible people, players and fans.

'It gives me great pleasure to see the recent promotion and being crowned champions, especially to see my mate Scott Arnold lifting the trophy!

Gazette:

'Thank you Southend United. At a time when I didn't know where my career was going to go, the last place I expected was the local rivals.

'This club and community opened its arms to me in a way that has left a mark on my heart.

'I feel like we have been through every emotion under the sun, the highs of play-offs games at Roots Hall, League One and nearly getting into the play-offs on the last day of the season, staying up on the last day of the season against Sunderland, and who could forget THAT day at Wembley!

'To have been so fortunate to lead the team out and walk them up the famous Wembley steps and lift the trophy to the lows of more recent times.

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'Due to this I feel like the club is part of me and I'm so pleased that I am now working with the Community Foundation to try and bring the club even closer to the community with such an exciting time ahead.

'Thank you Braintree Town for giving me an opportunity to enjoy another two years of playing with an emphasis on helping the young squads to progress and reach their potentials.

'It has been an truly memorable two years of successful football with an Essex Senior Cup and two playoff seasons, the second resulting in a playoff final victory against the team that dumped us out last year.

Gazette:

'We did the unthinkable and got the club back into the National League.

'Thank you for allowing me to make the step up to Assistant Manager through the season and really concentrate on nurturing our young talented players.

'I’m looking forward to whatever comes next and will attack it with a smile on my face and the same fire I had week in, week out.

'Best wishes, John White'.