COLCHESTER United legend Karl Duguid is appealing to U's fans to get behind his Stanway Rovers team.

Duguid will be assistant manager at the Thurlow Nunn League outfit next season with Kem Izzet - another popular and long-serving Colchester player - having been appointed boss on Thursday afternoon.

Former Gazette columnist Duguid is excited to be joining forces with his friend and former team-mate and would love to see Colchester fans getting along to matches at The Hawthorns.

“It would be lovely to think we’ll get support from Colchester fans," said Duguid, who spent the majority of his career with the League Two club, making over 400 League appearances.

“A lot of supporters came over to watch us last year, including people I used to see on the terraces at Layer Road.

“Hopefully a few more will give us a try next season and they’ll see that it’s a great local club, right on their doorstep."

Duguid says there will be a heavy emphasis on bringing talented young players into the squad next season.

“We want to try and introduce a lot more young players," said the 39-year-old.

“Stanway’s a nice local club with a great catchment area, in terms of attracting players.

“By that I don’t just mean first-teamers – I mean young players too, from children upwards.

"They’re the future of the club and the next generation.

"Kem and I both run soccer schools and it's something we feel very passionately about."

Duguid, who also played for Plymouth Argyle before finishing his professional career at Colchester, where he became a coach following his retirement in 2014, had been Stanway manager last season, having taken up the reins after Angelo Harrop resigned shortly before Christmas.

He guided the club to a sixth-place finish in the premier division but admits being happy to take a step back and work alongside Izzet.

“We’re both happy with our roles and feel this arrangement suits our different strengths," he said.

“Kem’s always been interested in the management side of things and while I certainly enjoyed my stint in charge last season, I’m more into coaching.

“That’s where I see my future and that’s why we all sat down and made this decision together.

“I’m completely cool with it.

“Between us, we’ve already set the wheels in motion and can’t wait to get started.

“Kem and I are a good mix but it’s no good having the balance right on paper – we need to get things right on the pitch.”