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Colchester United part company with manager Tony Humes

Colchester United manager Tony Humes has left the club by mutual consent following a run of just one win in nine games.

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Brown out of running for Colchester United job

Colchester United's caretaker-manager Wayne Brown Credit: ITV News Anglia

Colchester United caretaker-manager Wayne Brown has ruled himself out of taking the job full time.

The former U's player and captain says the time wasn't quite right to step into the hot seat at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Brown will take charge of Colchester's League One game at Rochdale on Saturday before handing over the reins.

The club hopes to appoint a full time successor to former boss Tony Humes ahead of their Boxing Day derby with Essex rivals Southend United.

"I honestly think I've made the right decision, because I want to be successful, for myself and my own career.

"But also the club means a lot to myself and I obviously want it to go in the right direction sooner rather than later.

"And I feel if I did get an opportunity and would turn things around then I would be a success.

"But short term I just feel the knowledge that I have, I wouldn't be giving myself the best opportunity that I could preparation-wise to go straight into that."

– Wayne Brown, Colchester United caretaker-manager

Wayne Brown explains his decision for ruling himself out of the running for the Colchester United manager's job

Colchester United chairman Robbie Cowling was keen to recruit from within after the club parted company with Humes.

His assistant Richard Hall was in charge for the 5-1 defeat at Burton in League One, with Brown and coach John McGreal sharing duties for the U's FA Cup win over Altrincham plus the recent home league defeat to Barnsley.

"I haven't slept that much with one thing and another, but all you can ask for is opportunities, so it's frustrating that this massive opportunity has come at this moment.

"I'm sure there's people that think it's just managing a group of thirty-odd players but there is so much more to it than that."

– Wayne Brown, Colchester United caretaker manager

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Colchester United manager Tony Humes leaves the club by mutual consent

Tony Humes. Credit: PA

Colchester United manager Tony Humes has left the club by mutual consent.

The news was confirmed at a press conference this afternoon.

The U's have decided to act following Tuesday's 3-2 defeat to bottom club Crewe Alexandra, where they threw away a two-goal lead.

Colchester have only won one of their last nine league games, and have conceded more goals than any other team in the Football League.

44
How many goals Colchester United have conceded so far this season.

Humes leaves Colchester in 19th place in League One and just a point outside the relegation zone.

Chairman Robbie Cowling had previously told fans asking for Humes to be sacked to "save their stamps" after several supporters wrote to him asking for a change in management.

Assistant boss Richard Hall and under 21s manager John McGreal will take charge of Saturday's trip to Burton.

"Humes felt that his presence was becoming detrimental to the club and the young players that he had nurtured in his time at the U's and it would be best to remove himself from the equation.

Robbie (Cowling) would like to place on record his thanks to Tony for his hard work, not only over the past fourteen months but throughout the years he has been at Colchester United."

– Colchester United statement

More: Cowling tells fans to "save their stamps"

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