GEORGE Elokobi wants to see his former club Colchester United strive for promotion this season under Hayden Mullins.

The popular defender was delighted to see the U’s retain their League Two status in the final weeks of the previous campaign, having battled against relegation to the National League.

Elokobi remains a fans favourite at Colchester, having clocked up nearly 100 appearances for them in his two spells for the club.

The 35-year-old knows player recruitment will be key for the U’s this season – and says he would love to see Mullins’ side challenge at the right end of the table.

“I was delighted to see them stay up,” said the 2006 U’s promotion winner.

“Colchester is always my team - whenever they pick up three points, I’m always very pleased for them and when they lose, I feel disheartened for them.

“They got over the line and I was really overjoyed when they stayed up because I didn’t want them going into the National League, having been a Football League club for such a long time.

“Hopefully, they’ll get the right recruitment going forward and they can try to challenge for the league.

“You can’t go in half-heartedly in football – you have to go all in.

“Yes, there may be pressure but that’s what it’s about.

“Hopefully, the new players will come in, they settle as quickly as possible and hit the ground running.”

Elokobi is currently plying his trade in the National League South for Maidstone United, whom he joined in 2019.

Halstead Gazette:

The former Wolves and Nottingham Forest defender is now combining his playing duties with coaching, using his vast experience in the game to nurture the next generation of young footballers.

“I’m still playing and I’m also doing a bit of coaching part-time,” said former Premier League player Elokobi, who won both the Championship and League One titles during his six-year spell with Wolves.

“It’s good – it’s challenging from time to time but very good.

“I wouldn’t want it any other way and you’ve got to start your journey somewhere.

“I’m treating my coaching much as I’ve treated my football in general, where I started off at grassroots level and worked my way up.

“That’s what I want to do because when you go through all of the phases, you gain the experience and knowledge that will help you when you progress.

“I always remind them that I’ve been where they are and try to motivate them as best as I can.

“I try to pass on the knowledge of my journey onto them.

“It’s good to have someone like myself coaching them who has been through it all.

“To be able to pass on that knowledge is only going to benefit them, going forward.

“It’s about having the right mindset and the right attitude in football and character will take you so far.

“Ability can take you so far but your character will take you that extra mile and that’s what I’m trying to put across to the boys and the younger players.

“I try to give that knowledge to any younger person that I meet.

“Sometimes, we’ll just sit down and have a chat about games, about preparation and about being a Premier League player.”

Elokobi was recently reunited with a host of his former Colchester team-mates when he featured in a charity match at Halstead Town.

The likes of Karl Duguid, John White and Joe Dunne also played in the game, which raised money for charities including Cancer Research UK.

Elokobi added: “It was for a great cause and when the call came through from Karl, I thought ‘why not’ and it’s also always nice to try and support your local club.

“I’m always grateful when I see the fans who have always supported me, throughout my career through the good and the bad.”