Colchester United have appointed Steve Ball as their new Head Coach.
The fifty year old is no stranger to the U’s, having been a player and coach ahead of becoming the man in charge of first team affairs this week,
After making seventy five appearances for the U’s over two spells, Ball returned to the club in a coaching capacity.
He combined this with his role as Manager of Leiston, before coming on board full-time to look after the U15s enrolled at Thurstable School.
In December 2015, when David Wright was promoted to become Assistant Manager under Kevin Keen, Ball took over as Manager of Maldon & Tiptree, a role he combined with being Assistant Boss to the then U’s U23s Manager, John McGreal.
The duo then took over the reins of the first team four years ago, with Ball now stepping into the Head Coach role following McGreal’s departure.
U’s Chairman Robbie Cowling said of the appointment: “Steve was a natural choice for Colchester United to make because as well as being an excellent coach, he knows the club inside out having started as an Academy coach.
"He also understands the demands of the first team, having been John McGreal’s assistant for the last four seasons.”
“Steve is taking the reins as first team coach at a pivotal time for the club. The financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic has forced Colchester United into releasing a number of senior players that I’m sure Steve would have liked us to have kept.
“Steve is likely to have to deal with issues that no First Team Coach or Manager before him has had to endure.
"However, our club is not alone and I trust that everyone is appreciative of our situation and will give Steve their full support.”