Out-of-work former Colchester United star Richard Wilkins has been hit by yet another setback.

The 35-year-old promotion-winning skipper has been forced to postpone his pre-season benefit match.

Forced to retire prematurely late last season because of a serious neck injury and promised a non-playing role with the U's which did not materialise, Wilkins revealed today his "big match" has now been put on hold.

Wilkins was awarded a benefit game by the U's to be held in the first week in August.

But the former Layer Road favourite and Player-of-the-Year said he has been let down by a number of Premiership clubs.

He said: "I originally lined up a game against West Ham, but they pulled out because of a lack of communication. I have also drawn blanks against a number of other Premiership clubs.

"They all claim to have sorted out their pre-season programmes by last February, so everything has gone pear-shaped on that score, too. It would have been very easy for me just to have played a game against any old opposition, taken the money and ran.

"But I think the fans deserve better than that and although it's me who stands to benefit I would also like to give them value for the money."

Wilkins is now hoping to arrange a game later in the season against high-profile opposition.

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