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Heath happy to join the U's
7:15am Wednesday 14th May 2008
An easy decision.
New-boy Matt Heath said he did not have to think twice about joining Colchester United.
After spending nearly two months on loan with the U's from Leeds United at the end of the current season, the 6ft 4in defender has now penned a three-year contract with the club.
And after learning he had no future at Elland Road, Heath had no hesitation in accepting Colchester's offer of a permanent switch to north Essex.
He told the Gazette: "Being in the situation I was in at Leeds United - where I was told I could go on loan - when Colchester came in for me it was an easy decision.
"I had a chat with Gary McAllister (the Leeds manager) and the situation hadn't really changed for me.
"He's looking to bring in his kind of players and I knew that I had to find a new club.
"Colchester expressed their interest and it was a chance I jumped at."
Heath made five appearances for Colchester, as they battled in vain to avoid relegation from the Coca-Cola Championship.
And in that time, the U's lost only once.
The 26-year-old made a big impression on manager Geraint Williams.
Williams told the U's website: "He (Heath) came down on loan and was unfortunate to pick up a few niggly injuries, so didn't play as much as he would have liked.
"However, in the games that he did play, he showed some very good qualities that I feel will improve the team."
Having sealed his move to Colchester, Heath has set his sights on helping the club clinch a immediate return to the Championship.
However, he warned the U's must keep their prize assets, if they are to successfully make the step up.
"Colchester have a lot of good things going for them," said the former Leicester and Coventry defender.
"They have the new stadium, a new training ground on the way and the manager wants the best for the club.
"I think the squad that we have is worthy of getting the club back into the Championship and I hope that we can keep our best players."
Your Say YourColchester
Mark Osborne, Colchester says...
12:42pm Wed 14 May 08
THis has to bode well for the new season, and perhaps we can look forward now to a brighter future and a possible swift return to the Championship, which our new stadium and fans so richly deserve.
feeringboy, st ives, cambs says...
1:15pm Wed 14 May 08
Col U 'til I die, Alresford says...
4:58pm Wed 14 May 08
I think we'll need some big strong players in league 1 there will be a lot of hooking going on. As QPR still carry on splashing big bucks to revamp all positions any chance of Chris Barker I wonder? and albeit a lone player how's Izael Mcleod coming along. Up the U'S.
Jason, Colchester says...
12:37pm Thu 15 May 08
We haven't seen the best of Heath yet, the same for the players who arrived in January.
By the time pre-season training starts ideally we would have the missing pieces in the promotion jigsaw in place, or at least most of them. Chris Barker should be near the top of the shopping list, he's not going to be part of QPR's plans with all the money they have.
I wouldn't expect huge movement until the play-offs are completed but from then onwards we do need to bring in several players at least as quickly as possible.
Strength in depth was crucial to promotion in 05/06 and it won't be any different this time. We don't just need quality in the first XI we need it on the bench and even outside the 16.
Say It As It Is, Clackers says...
3:08pm Thu 15 May 08
Say It As It Is, Clackers says...
4:24pm Thu 15 May 08
Col U 'till I die, Alresford says...
6:57pm Thu 15 May 08
Say It As It Is wrote:SIAII, last years 3 years contracts were laughable, Cureton was about 31, Iwellemo has and will never have such a season again, Garcia has and still was this season injury plagued, Brown and Barker yes maybe.
A three year contract???? Wow, looks like last years rather painful lesson has been learnt! Good signing!
Now we have young talent of course we should keep them or at very least recoup a fee for future.
David, Colchester says...
7:08pm Thu 15 May 08
Have a look at Matt Heath's playing record! He has just left a div one side that he couldn't get into! He is slipping lower and lower.
As for Lockwood, 31, can't run, played a handful of games for Forest, again not good enough for a div one side. Lockwood couldn't run when he was 23! No resale here Mr c.
Why did we not get Bailey from Barnet and Barnard from Spurs (just two examples of young hungry talent) when they became available. Well done Southend!!
Where is the young talent?
steve gritton, colchester says...
8:44am Fri 16 May 08
Say It As It Is, Clackers says...
9:27am Fri 16 May 08
Col U 'till I die wrote:I dont think Cureton is agood example LOL. He has had a pretty good season especially against us! I reckon he has at least one more in him. Agree totally about Iwellemo though. Looks like a flash in the pan season to me to which is going to leave us short on the goal scoring front.
Say It As It Is wrote: A three year contract???? Wow, looks like last years rather painful lesson has been learnt! Good signing!SIAII, last years 3 years contracts were laughable, Cureton was about 31, Iwellemo has and will never have such a season again, Garcia has and still was this season injury plagued, Brown and Barker yes maybe. Now we have young talent of course we should keep them or at very least recoup a fee for future.
Nobby, Col says...
9:51am Fri 16 May 08
Clive Platt or Gail Platt?, Colchester says...
11:26am Fri 16 May 08
Last season Iwelumo scored 10 goals from 32 starts, still better than the player about a year older who he was replaced by at the cost of £300,000 on a longer term contract. He had just the one flash in the pan season and that was in League Two!
Say It As It Is, Clackers says...
11:38am Fri 16 May 08
Col U 'till I die, Alresford says...
6:21pm Fri 16 May 08
And a lot of Iwelumos goals over the two years came from penalties, and 1 year against league 1 deffenders, the championship was certainly a step up from that, ok there was that great night against Hull with 4, abit like curos against us.
I just agree with the club on their greed, sod 'em and bugger off, a no mark from Swindon Town - yeah real quality he should have paid us, to give him a chance.
Brownies always gonna be a different story of course 3 great years and well over 35 games each year. That should have been rewarded.
No compareson really in my view.
Am mixed emotions with the left back signing, good to have competition for places, although I feel Johnny White has been great there - got my vote for man of the match several times.
I would be delighted with a midfielder of Danns, Sheedy or a young Paul Buckle type player, I'm afraid Kem just isn't what he used to be.
Jason, Colchester says...
5:00pm Mon 19 May 08
Why did we not get Bailey from Barnet and Barnard from Spurs (just two examples of young hungry talent) when they became available. Well done Southend!!
Yes well done to Southend for their outstanding result on Friday night! Didn't they do well?
Thats young hungry talent for you.
Your sayYourColchester
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ColuSWF, says...
11:11am Wed 14 May 08