Legendary Colchester United hero Mike Walker is keeping his fingers crossed from afar for Phil Parkinson's record-seeking U's hot-shots.

Go get it - Phil Parkinson has been urged on by former U's boss Mike Walker to beat the record he set in 1987. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK (45003-10)

The former U's goalkeeper and manager, currently based in Cyprus, wants Parky's in-form goal-getters to smash the all-time, eight-game winning record kicked-off by him in 1987 before his shock sacking.

Wins over Shrewsbury, Hartlepool and Swansea in the next three games will hand Parkinson that prize.

And Walker, who celebrated his 60th birthday on Monday, is spurring on Parky's adventurous squad in their bid to set a new milestone.

"To achieve six wins on the spin is a tremendous feat in itself," said Walker, who played a staggering 522 League and cup games for the U's between 1973-83 before going on to manage the club for 19 months between 1986-87.

"And I will be the first to congratulate Phil Parkinson and his team if they go on to eclipse our record.

"Phil must be doing something right and he is clearly building a very good squad at Layer Road.

"He must have a good spirit going because what he has achieved so far takes some doing.

"I hope his run continues for some time yet and I would love to see him go on and put Colchester United right up there in the promotion frame."

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Published Wednesday, November 30, 2005

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