Goalkeeper to pursue life outside football.
Colchester United goalkeeper James Bransgrove has chosen to step away from football and pursue a career outside of the professional game.
Shot stopper James has been with the U's for nearly four years after arriving from Brentford in 2013, but has now decided that his future path lies outside of sport.
He told the club website on Wednesday: "It's something on my mind for a while, regarding my future in football.
"I've been doing a part-time Business Management degree with the Open University over the past eighteen months and it's been going better than expected.
"I've really enjoyed it and I've always had a passion for the accountancy side of business, so I think now is the right time to make that call.
"It's a big decision and I've thought about it long and hard with family and friends but it feels right.
"I know that almost every boy would want to be a professional footballer, but I've always been a footballer because I've been lucky enough to have had that talent.
"Truthfully, I've not just felt that desire to play and that was a big part of it as well. If I don't eat and sleep football, I won't get too much further in game and that was the tipping point in the decision.
"I originally spoke to George Bankole and then Tony Humes and they both made sure it was definitely the choice I wanted to make. The club have been very supportive and I can't thank them enough."
James was part of the successful U's youth team of 2014 that won the league and cup double and appeared in the Youth Alliance Cup final as the U18s beat Bradford 4-2 at Valley Parade.
He made his U's first team debut at the end of the 2015/16 season, in the 2-1 defeat to Rochdale at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
He also appeared once for the U's this season in the Checkatrade Trophy Group game against Southampton U23s.
His time at the club also included call-ups for Scotland U18s and U21s.
Everyone at Colchester United would like to thank James for his contribution on and off the pitch and we wish him well in his future direction.
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