Colchester United bosses hit out at fans over 'vile' chants about ex-Spurs star Justin Edinburgh

Colchester United chiefs have slammed their own fans for what was described as "shameful" and "vile" chants about Justin Edinburgh.

The chants came during the club's League Two clash against Leyton Orient on Saturday.

A club spokesman said: "Not for the first time this season a very small minority of those in the away section have acted in a shameful manner.

"This time making vile chants that no decent person would make and are in no way shared by Colchester United or the vast majority of Colchester United fans. We will co-operate with Leyton Orient should there be any further investigations."

Charlie Edinburgh, the son of the former Orient boss, said his father's "legacy and reputation will never be forgotten and that alone outweighs any negativity or abuse".

The former Northampton Town manager and Tottenham player, who lived in Essex, died from a cardiac arrest in 2019 - weeks after guiding Leyton Orient to promotion back to the Football League. He was just 49.

A memorial service was held at Chelmsford Cathedral in July 2019 and was attended by players past and present including Glenn Hoddle, Teddy Sheringham, Sol Campbell, Les Ferdinand and Chris Hughton.

His family set up a foundation in his name to help educate people about CPR and defibrillators.

Members of a Colchester United fan group, the Blue and White Army, said they would be making a £50 donation to the foundation to make "a small amends for the deplorable chants".

Charlie Edinburgh tweeted to say he hoped that those who had sung the chant would "learn that hurtful and abusive words can have an effect on people".

He added: "Luckily, myself and my family are stronger and better than to let acts of this nature affect us."

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