Isaiah Rankin is hoping for some of his Colchester United loan luck to rub off on him when he returns to Layer Road for the first time since his days with the U's.
The 25-year-old flying former Arsenal winger is in high-flying Barnsley's squad for tomorrow's top-ten Second Division clash on the territory he graced during a three-month loan spell with the U's at the end of 1997.
"I loved my time at Colchester," Rankin told the Evening Gazette.
"Former manager Steve Wignall brought me down to play League football and it was the club that handed me my League debut.
"The fans were absolutely marvellous to me and that little spell put me in the shop window.
"I will never forget my final day when I scored two goals in a 4-4 draw with Brighton on Boxing Day and 24 hours later I was making my Premiership debut as a substitute for Arsenal in a derby against Tottenham."
Rankin said life has been somewhat up and down for him since then.
He was transferred from Arsenal to Bradford City the following August for a staggering £1.3million.
And following further loan spells with Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers, he moved to Barnsley for £350,000 exactly three years ago.
Published Friday January 9, 2004
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