Find out more about the lads that currently make up the U's youth team, as we give you the lowdown on the players that are hoping to make it big at Layer Road in the future.

SECOND YEAR APPRENTICES



Place/Date Of Birth: Guys Hospital London; 11/11/89
Home Town: Hackney
Position: Centre back/right back, captain
Joined The U's: Aged 16
Former Clubs: Lyndhurst
Favourite Player As A Youngster: Andy Cole/Dwight Yorke - "They were a great strikeforce."
Hopes for 2007/8: "To gain a pro contract with Colchester and proceed and further develop to become a name that people automatically mention with football."



Place/Date Of Birth: Kings College Hospital, London; 31/08/89
Home Town: Camberwell, South London
Position: Centre back
Joined The U's: Aged 17
Former Clubs: Thamesmead Town, Canterbury FC, Griffin Sports, Lewisham College Football Academy
Favourite Player As A Youngster: Roy Keane
Hopes for 2007/8: "Aim for a pro contract and be a regular in the starting eleven of the first team."



Place/Date Of Birth: London Hospital, 28/10/89
Home Town: Bow, London
Position: Central midfield/right wing
Joined The U's: Aged 16
Former Clubs: Westward, Leyton Orient, Millwall
Favourite Player As A Youngster: Dennis Bergkamp - "He is a legend for Arsenal and scored great goals."
Hopes for 2007/8: "A professional contract."



Place/Date Of Birth: London; 14/05/90
Home Town: Croydon, London
Position: Right or left wing
Joined The U's: Aged 16
Former Clubs: Rushden, Tonbridge
Favourite Player As A Youngster: Jay Jay Okocha - "A skilful player."
Hopes for 2007/8: "A professional contract."



Place/Date Of Birth: London; 16/11/89
Home Town: Lewisham, London
Position: Striker
Joined The U's: Aged 16
Former Clubs: Millwall, Whitefoot Rangers
Favourite Player As A Youngster: Ronaldo - "He has great skill, pace and movement."
Hopes for 2007/8: "To score as many goals as possible and get my professional contract."



Place/Date Of Birth: Queen Elizabeth Hospital; 25/12/89
Home Town: Margate
Position: Goalkeeper
Joined The U's: Aged 16
Former Clubs: Arsenal
Favourite Player As A Youngster: David Seaman - "I thought he was the best goalkeeper in the world and loved watching him play as I was an Arsenal fan."
Hopes for 2007/8: "My main hope for this season is to get a professional contract at this club, and play well throughout the whole season."



Place/Date Of Birth: Ipswich; 30/05/90
Home Town: Ipswich
Position: Full back
Joined The U's: Aged 13
Former Clubs: Ipswich Town, Whitton United
Favourite Player As A Youngster: Roberto Carlos - "He was the best attacking full back and I like the way he plays"
Hopes for 2007/8: "Play regularly in the reserves and get a professional contract."



Place/Date Of Birth: Colchester; 22/10/89
Home Town: Colchester
Position: Central midfield, right wing
Joined The U's: Aged 10
Former Clubs: Brookland Boys, Lexden Saints
Favourite Player As A Youngster: David Beckham - "Fantastic ball control, passing, crossing and free kicks."
Hopes for 2007/8: "To get a pro contract, be a regular in the reserves and to have a successful season as a team."

FIRST YEAR APPRENTICES



Place/Date Of Birth: Romford; 04/12/90
Home Town: Colchester
Position: Centre back
Joined The U's: Aged 13 
Former Clubs: Harold Hill
Favourite Player As A Youngster: Rio Ferdinand - "He played for West Ham."
Hopes for 2007/8: "To become a better player and get a regular place in the youth squad and push for the reserves."



Place/Date Of Birth: Colchester; 18/09/90
Home Town: Colchester
Position: Centre back, left back, central midfield
Joined The U's: Aged 7
Former Clubs: Lexden Saints
Favourite Player As A Youngster: David Beckham - "He was a perfect role model." Eric Cantona - "His style, flair and passion."
Hopes for 2007/8: To challenge for the league title, have a good run in the FA Youth Cup. To make myself a regular starter in the side."



Place/Date Of Birth: Chase Farm, Enfield; 05/02/91
Home Town: Enfield, London
Position: Central midfield
Joined The U's: Aged 12
Former Clubs: Arsenal
Favourite Player As A Youngster: Roy Keane - "Never lost a tackle and never gave the ball away. He led by example, great captain."
Hopes for 2007/8: "To win the league, push into the reserves and try and hold a place down and to play for the national side (England, Ireland or Scotland)."



Place/Date Of Birth: St John's Hospital, Chelmsford; 21/09/90
Home Town: Hatfield Peverel
Position: Left back
Joined The U's: Aged 11
Former Clubs: Hatfield Peverel
Favourite Player As A Youngster: David Ginola - "I remember going to watch Spurs play with my dad, just to see him. Loved his hair as well!"
Hopes for 2007/8: "To excel as best as I possibly can, improve all parts of my game and break into the reserves and score another goal."



Place/Date Of Birth: Colchester; 14/11/90
Home Town: Colchester
Position: Striker
Joined The U's: Aged 10
Former Clubs: Royal London
Favourite Player As A Youngster: Michael Owen - "Good goalscorer and fast."
Hopes for 2007/8: "Hope to do well in the league and FA Youth Cup, as well as performing to the best of my ability."



Place/Date Of Birth: Colchester; 03/03/91
Home Town: Walton-on-Naze
Position: Central midfield
Joined The U's: Aged 15
Former Clubs: Clacton Town, Little Oakley, Frinton
Favourite Player As A Youngster: Steven Gerrard - "He always gives 100%, scores goals, and is a great leader."
Hopes for 2007/8: "To push for a place in the reserve team, hold down a place in the youth team and become a better player."



Place/Date Of Birth: Colchester; 08/10/90
Home Town: Colchester
Position: Striker
Joined The U's: Aged 7
Former Clubs: Lexden Saints
Favourite Player As A Youngster: Michael Owen - "Because of his goal in the 1998 World Cup against Argentina and we are also similar players"
Hopes for 2007/8: "To play in the youth team on a regular basis and improve myself as a player. To also score as many goals as possible."



Place/Date Of Birth: Wimbledon; 22/09/90
Home Town: Colchester
Position: Striker
Joined The U's: Aged 15
Former Clubs: Stanway Villa
Favourite Player As A Youngster: Andy Cole - "He was a brilliant goalscorer."
Hopes for 2007/8: "To become a better player and for the youth team to win the league."