Baldwin eyes long stay
Pat Baldwin is hoping to stay at Colchester for a considerable time after his future was resolved.
By Chris Galea
Last Updated: 23/07/10 11:17am
Colchester United's long-serving defender Pat Baldwin is hoping to stay at the club for a considerable time after his future was resolved this summer.
The former Chelsea trainee looked set to leave the Essex-based club after Aidy Boothroyd deemed him surplus to requirements, but his departure to Coventry and John Ward's installation as manager handed him a second chance.
This season will be Baldwin's ninth at the club, but he says this summer's events have shown him how quickly things can change in football.
"I've said all through the years that I have been at the club that I love the fans and the staff involved with the football club," he told skysports.com.
"I'd love to stay around for a while longer, but last season just shows that football really can change overnight, so I'm not looking that far ahead any more."
The tough-tackling centre-half understands that he is playing catch-up on most of his team-mates, having been frozen out of the first-team for most of last season, but he is determined to fight for his place in the side.
"Every manager who takes over a new job, regardless of whether he was already at the club, gives everybody a lift and a fresh start," he added.
"I'm just glad to have been given a chance, but with me being out on loan for most of last season the gaffer will know a few of the other boys a lot more, so it is up to me to work hard and impress during pre-season.
"Hopefully, I will be given a chance and once given that chance it is up to me to take it and earn my place in the side.
"I don't think that whether I start the first game of the season or not is the be all and end all, but it would be nice to.
"I know that I have to be patient and carry on working hard because in football it can change overnight."
