Geraint Williams settled into his new role as Colchester United's caretaker manager urging the fans to give him and the team their support.

He said: "The players need guidance and support from the coaches; the coaches need guidance and support from the management; we all need support from the fans and they need a team to support.

"I want to do that for them."

Team spirit - Colchester United are ready to face Stockport County with caretaker manager Geraint Williams

Williams is already relishing the prospect of being caretaker manager of the U's.

And the former Welsh international would like nothing more than to be handed the job on a permanent basis.

The first step on that particular road comes in the shape of a crucial six-pointer at fellow Second Division strugglers Stockport County tomorrow.

Williams says he and his U's squad are 'very much' up for the game, just as he is in his personal quest to become the next official Colchester United manager.

He said: "I've discussed the prospects with my family and with friends who I trust within the game.

"It has been quite exhilarating for me to be in charge of the team and I want to assure everyone that football is foremost in my mind.

"The only downside for me is that I've got the chance at the expense of Steve (Whitton) who I worked together with for a long time and who was also my friend.

"We are all disappointed over the departure of Steve. Most of us at the club owe him a big debt because he was instrumental in bringing many of us here."

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Published Friday, January 31, 2003

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