Over the years, Colchester United has gained a strong reputation as a family club and it is hoped that that ethos will grow even further when they move to the new 10,000-all seater stadium at Cuckoo Farm in July next year.

The new ground will provide more facilities than ever for the young U's fans and their family and it is somewhat appropriate that one of the men leading the project has recently become a family man himself.

Barr's Project Manager on the Cuckoo Farm site is Jason Kelly, who joined the construction company two years ago after previously being employed in construction and civil engineering for Taylor Woodrow.

And Jason recently became a father to daughter Niamh, who was born on October 26th.

"Niamh was only born three weeks ago, so it pulls on the heart strings a little having to be away from home at this time, but I and the rest of the staff here have a job to deliver," he told U's Review this week.

"As Project Manager, part of my job is to deal with the staffing issues on site, whether that be work related or personal related.

"Many of the guys working away from home, so that can be something that crops up a fair bit.

"In fact, all of the Barr staff on site are from Scotland apart from myself who comes from Durham and Gemma Ealden, the site secretary who comes from Colchester."

Personal issues are not the only facet of Jason's job, though, with many important decisions coming under his jurisdiction.

"I work alongside Steven Gunn, who is Unit Manager and looks after two or three different jobs as part of that. My role sees me make decisions on the different elements of the build, the financial implications, the health and safety on site and so on.

"I am very happy with how it has all gone so far, and there have been no real problems arising at the moment.

"I hope it carries on that way in the coming months and, if so, we will have everything handed over in time for Colchester United to win their first game at the start of next season!"

Recent days have seen the weather begin to take a turn for the worse, with drivers greeted by iced up windscreens for the first time this year at the end of last week.

And keeping the build on schedule is the key aim for Jason and his staff as the wintry months begin to take hold.

"The only issues I can se coming up in the next couple of month is the weather we will have coming up," he added.

"It could slow down the external works and, for example, the temperature has to be two degrees and rising in order to get the brickwork done in the stands.

"We will be working hard to keep the build progressing as well as it has done so far and we are as keen as the Colchester United fans to get the job over the finishing line."