ROB Hunt had never played under the Cowleys, prior to signing for Colchester United.

Nevertheless, the U’s defender was on the radar of Danny and Nicky even before he had taken the first steps in his professional career.

As a pupil at The Deanes School in Thundersley, in the south of the county, Hunt had regular sporting duels with neighbouring FitzWimarc School in Rayleigh, where the Cowleys taught P.E. prior to embarking on their successful career in football management.

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Hunt caught the eye with his impressive performances on the football pitch for The Deanes leading to the Cowleys keeping track of his career and eventually signing him at Colchester, this summer.

Hunt said: “We weren’t very good and they always used to win everything!

“We didn’t really know each other back then but we had a chat about it when we met – it’s a small world, isn’t it!”

Hunt is clearly relishing playing under the Cowley brothers, having joined them on a two-year deal following his departure from Leyton Orient at the end of last season.

“The fact that they are here was definitely one of the big factors in me coming to Colchester,” said the former Brighton and Hove Albion youngster.

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“You see their profile and their history; they’ve had a great career and they’ve had to work really, really hard to have the managerial career they’ve had.

“I just want to repay them for the chance they’ve offered me and hopefully I can do that, this season.

“The chat that I had with Danny and Nicky definitely had a big influence in me signing.

“We had a good chat about football and went through a few bits and it was something I was attracted to.

“I got a really good vibe and positivity when I met them and that was a big influence on my decision.”

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Hunt has already clocked up 13 league and cup appearances since joining Colchester and is proving his versatility having operated across the defensive line.

The 29-year-old has already tasted promotion success in his career at both Leyton Orient and Swindon Town and is one of a number of players in the current U’s squad to have done so.

Hunt added: “Hopefully, we can all put that experience together.

“It’s a long season and I know everyone says it but we just have to take one game at a time and stay together, throughout the long season and hopefully push to where we want to go.

“I’ve played at League Two level a few times and done quite well with the teams that I’ve been involved in.

“There’s been some really good people in those teams.

“I’m just happy to be here and help wherever I can and hopefully, we can have a really positive and together season as a group.

“Football is a revolving door in a way – everyone kind of knows everyone.

“It’s a really together group.”