04-07-2024, 19:18
Colchester United have made their eighth summer signing by bringing in experienced defender Adam Woodyard on a one-year contract following his exit from National League side York City.
Woodyard, 31, who began his career with Essex rivals Southend United, has played for the Cowley brothers three times before - first in non-league football at Concord Rangers and Braintree Town, then Lincoln City.
He then moved on to Peterborough United, Tranmere Rovers and AFC Wimbledon before dropping back into non-league with York City last season.
"Alex is a boy that we picked up when he had just left Southend at Concord Rangers. And he did brilliantly for us," boss Danny Cowley told BBC Radio Essex.
"You can see the strategy behind all of our signings. To sign boys that have had success in Essex before, that maybe have roots in Essex and the local area, is so important. Some that we've worked with before.
"We were a little bit short of personality last year and we wanted to try to add a little bit more character to the group and a little bit more experience to help some of the younger players.
"We've got some brilliant young players here. But I said this before, it takes a village to develop one young player. So to have the right support around them, not just off the pitch, but also on the pitch, is really important."
Woodyard, 31, who began his career with Essex rivals Southend United, has played for the Cowley brothers three times before - first in non-league football at Concord Rangers and Braintree Town, then Lincoln City.
He then moved on to Peterborough United, Tranmere Rovers and AFC Wimbledon before dropping back into non-league with York City last season.
"Alex is a boy that we picked up when he had just left Southend at Concord Rangers. And he did brilliantly for us," boss Danny Cowley told BBC Radio Essex.
"You can see the strategy behind all of our signings. To sign boys that have had success in Essex before, that maybe have roots in Essex and the local area, is so important. Some that we've worked with before.
"We were a little bit short of personality last year and we wanted to try to add a little bit more character to the group and a little bit more experience to help some of the younger players.
"We've got some brilliant young players here. But I said this before, it takes a village to develop one young player. So to have the right support around them, not just off the pitch, but also on the pitch, is really important."
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