Anyone who tells you Colchester United are destined for a future in football's wilderness had better steer clear of club captain Scott Fitzgerald.
The cultured central defender and one-time Republic of Ireland Under-21 international firmly believes exactly the opposite - and he's ready to point out the facts to anyone who will listen to him.
"I really do believe this club has a bright future," insisted Fitzgerald as his U's team-mates prepared for tonight's Layer Road clash with high-flying Chesterfield.
He said: "When I first came to Colchester we were an ageing squad with around eight of the team boasting an average age of well over 30.
"Players like myself, Simon Clark, Jason Dozzell, David Gregory, Steve McGavin, Gavin Johnson, Mick Stockwell and Andy Woodman all had loads of experience, but time was running out for many of us.
"That's all changed now.
"The gaffer has turned things around completely and now we have a very young squad, with their careers in the game very much ahead of them.
"What we have lost in experience we have very much gained in youth and enthusiasm.
"Players like Kemal Izzet, Thomas Pinault, Joe Keith, Karl Duguid, Danny Steele, Pat Baldwin, Dean Morgan and Chris Keeble now form the nucleus of what promises to be a great future for the club."
Published Friday October 18, 2002
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