Colchester United News 24/7
Writer: Matt_Us 
Date:Sunday August 30 2009
Time: 11:24PM
UK time is: 01:56:55
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Col U: Race To Replace Day Eleven & Twelve
Dagenham & Redbridge manager, John Still, Torque United`s Paul Buckle and ex-Watford manager, Aidy Boothrod, all in fresh links to succeed Norwich City`s Paul Lambert, this weekend...
The fight for a right to manage Colchester United would very much appear still alive-and-kicking, not the implied closed-shop that gossip on late Friday evening had intimated. Talk was that Aidy Boorthroyd had already been promised the position, in a golden handshake.
As evidence that he has at least applied, a column from the Times correspondent, Patrick Barclay, last week reveals his almost desperate search for another employer after his Hornets spell.
Barclay wrote on the hindrance being known as a route one manager to the average CV, saying of Boothroyd: "At Reading, he did not make the last three. At West Brom, he did not make the last two. At Swansea, he reached the last two, but the board chose Paulo Sousa. And he knows a long-ball stigma is not helping his chances."
Armed with that evidence - plus fresh talk that he was seen along with several other unemployed protective appointments at Saturday`s Leeds United game - it`s probably a safe bet to say he`s contending.
Others are, too. Although the EADT newspaper speculated on Thursday that the U`s by-the-book approach, of a week-long interviewing process, meant Paul Buckle had no option but to ink a contract extension with Torquay United, his candid response, suggested otherwise.
Buckle told his club`s official site when questioned on the U's job after a loss on Saturday against Brentford: "I have nothing to say, I would rather reflect on our game here today." That he stopped short of a full-blown denial could mean he`s been told to keep quiet while Colchester directors and his one-time playing pal, U`s Chief Executive, Steve Bradshaw, reach their decision.
Radio Five Live regular and now BBC Football League Show summariser, Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes, added more fuel to the fire when she probably accidently tipped Dagenham and Redbridge manager, John Still, for the post. "Watch out though, Daggers fans, as I hear Colchester are very interested in your manager, John Sill."
Still, an experienced hand as a boss, has enhanced his reputation for plucking non-league talent out of nowhere and forming teams that challenge; despite his losing big-hitters last summer, including U`s signing Magnus Okuonghae, the Essex club now find themselves top in League Two.
Although Clarke may have simply been reporting rumour via the reaction she spent Saturday evening trawling through for the show, it didn`t go unnoticed next day by the Daggers, who were moved enough to release a statement direct from Still himself.
Posted today, Jhon Still commented, simply: "I am very happy at Dagenham & Redbridge and I am very close to signing a new contract. I therefore have no interest in leaving the club and wish that to be known."
Rotherham boss, Mark Robins, however, did confirm outright that he is not interested in taking charge at the Colchetser.
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