Colchester United Wembley play-off final hero Joe Dunne could be forced to quit professional football and take a job outside the game.

One of nine players handed free transfers by Colchester United 11 weeks ago, the former Republic of Ireland Under 21 international and Gazette Player of the Year said: "I am seriously talking about getting a job outside football.

"I cannot kid myself any longer there is a League club out there just waiting to give Joe Dunne a job.

"Now we have a family my wife might have to go back to work too because the mortgage and other bills still have to be paid.

"I have faxed every football club in the Second and Third Divisions and several non-league teams, but as yet I have not heard so much as a whisper from any of them."

An initial interest from Ryman League premier division club Aldershot also came to nothing. At a time when around 500 other former League players are also looking for new clubs, Dunne said his release from Colchester could not have come at a worse time.

The 26-year-old defender pointed out: "A record number of League players were thrown out of work at the end of last season, including nine at Colchester.

"None of us have got fixed up with a permanent contract and that is very worrying. It is no secret that I have found it very hard during the summer, more so now I know my former team-mates at Colchester are back for pre-season training.

"I have kept myself very fit, but as each week has gone by with nothing on the horizon I have become more and more disillusioned."

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