Steve Ball appointed Colchester United head coach
Tuesday 28 July 2020 21:33, UK
Colchester United have appointed Steve Ball as their new head coach.
Colchester parted ways with former boss John McGreal last month - who had been in the job since 2016 - after they crashed out of the Sky Bet League Two play-offs to Exeter City.
Ball, who assistant to McGreal last season, made 79 appearances across two spells at Colchester between 1989 and 1996.
His previous managerial experience was is in non-league with FC Clacton, Leiston and Maldon & Tiptree.
Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling said on the club's website: "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."
Colchester finished sixth in the 2019/20 League Two table before being defeated in the play-off semi-finals against Exeter City.
