Colchester United

Karl, who turns 36 today, will hang up his boots at the end of this season and concentrate on his coaching career, an area where he has made great strides over the past twelve months as part of Joe Dunne’s backroom team at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

With over 400 league appearances for the U’s and 590 games for all clubs in all competitions, Doogie is assured of his place in the club’s history, not least for his role in captaining the club into the Championship for the first time ever.

Reflecting on his decision, Karl told the official website: “It is a little bit sad but you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to realise that my playing career was coming to an end.

“It has been on my mind recently but I have already been looking very much ahead to the next stage of my life, coaching. It’s something that I’m really looking forward to pursuing and it’s great that I’ve been given the chance to start it here at Colchester United, where I’ve spent much of my football career already.”

Unsurprisingly, Doogie’s high point is taking the team into the second tier, as he added: “Getting promoted to the Championship with the U’s was a fantastic achievement but the first season in the Championship topped that I think.

“As a group of players, we were all at the top of our game and to beat the teams we did as ‘little old Colchester United’ was amazing – especially during the eleven game winning run at Layer Road.

“On the flip side, I have been relegated in my playing career but at least I was fit and playing and out on the pitch. The worst time in my career was when I had the serious injury and was out of action for the best part of eighteen months. It was very close to being the end of my career then so to go on for another nine odd years has been great.”

We will have more reaction from Karl’s retirement on the official website throughout the day. 

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