ANTHONY Wordsworth is back at Colchester United.

The 35-year-old, who made nearly 200 appearances for the U's between 2007 and 2013 after coming through their youth set-up, has been appointed Senior Academy Individual Coach at Florence Park.

Wordsworth will give the U's under-15 to under-21 players individual coaching and mentorship to help maximise their potential, as part of his new role.

The former Ipswich Town and Southend United midfielder has been playing for Pitching In Isthmian League division north side Maldon and Tiptree this season, having joined them in the summer.

Writing in the U's matchday programme, U's academy manager James McFarlane said: "The knowledge, experience and club connection Anthony brings will be invaluable for our young academy players.

"Having access to a coach who has lived a lot of his footballing journey at Colchester United will help us develop the future first team members to support the club's success on the pitch.

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"Anthony is still currently playing part time with Maldon & Tiptree, where Max Jolliffe, Hakeem Sandah and Kien Connolly are on loan experiencing senior football.

"This will provide a great opportunity to coach the players 'live on pitch' in a competitive environment as well as the day-to-day training at Florence Park.

"Anthony's appointment complements our current coaching structure with the likes of Elliott Ward, Liam Bailey and Dave Huzzey providing a variety of strengths and experiences to progress the young U's."

Wordsworth made nearly 200 league and cup appearances for Colchester after coming through their academy set-up and was named their players' player of the year, in the 2011-12 season.

He left Colchester to join their neighbours Ipswich Town in January, 2013.

Wordsworth spent two and a half years at Portman Road before leaving to join Southend United in the summer of 2015.

He clocked up nearly 100 appearances for Blues and after leaving them in 2018, had spells at AFC Wimbledon, Barnet, Cheshunt, Irish club Waterford, Enfield Town and Chelmsford City.