Matthew Etherington: Colchester interim boss looking to refocus after 'crazy' week

Matthew Etherington won three England Under-21 caps during his playing career

Matthew Etherington says focusing on Colchester United's FA Cup tie against Shrewsbury Town has helped him move on from the "craziness" surrounding his position at the club.

Etherington was named U's interim head coach on 23 October, only to step down four days later over a contract dispute with former club Crawley.

He was then reinstated on Tuesday after Colchester took legal advice.

Etherington said it had "not been an easy week".

He told BBC Essex: "It's been trial and tribulation but we're here now and all I wanted to do was get out on the grass and work with the players."

The uncertainty over Etherington's position surfaced a week ago when his former club Crawley said the former Tottenham, Stoke and West Ham winger was still under contract with them for another six months, despite resigning 32 days after he was appointed in November 2022.

As a result, Etherington was unable to take charge of the U's League Two game at Accrington the next day - a match they won 1-0 with Scott Marshall at the helm.

Crawley said they had "no problem" with Etherington resuming his role as Colchester Under-21 coach if he asked permission.

However, U's chairman Robbie Cowling put the 42-year-old back in temporary control of first team after "a thorough review of the contract and the events that transpired during the 10 months since Matty's departure from Crawley".

BBC Sport has approached Crawley for comment.

Etherington said Cowling had been "brilliant" and he was thankful the situation had now been resolved.

"I found out on Friday night an hour away from the hotel," he added.

"I had to sit the players down and explain the situation - it's the last thing you need 18 hours before the kick-off but it was dealt with in the right way the players were professional and the staff we're amazing and we got the three points.

"Without a doubt that was the most important thing regardless of what was going on around it. It was much needed after the craziness of the week to reflect and re-set ready for Shrewsbury."

FA Cup a competition of 'value' for Etherington

Matthew Etherington scored Stoke City's opening goal in their 5-0 win over Bolton in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in 2011 before they went on to lose the final against Manchester City

Having played in two FA Cup finals in his career - for the Hammers in 2006 and the Potters in 2011 - Etherington knows what going far in the competition feels like.

And he is very keen for his players to make the most of every chance they get.

"It's a competition I hold dearly - I played in two cup finals and I really value it," he said.

"As as kids I was watching the team buses get to Wembley and the helicopters filming overhead - it's a great tradition and we will give it the respect it deserves.

"Some of my best times as a player was playing in the finals and scoring against Bolton in the semi-final.

"Those memories will live with me forever - unfortunately we lost in both finals and I would've changed those outcomes but I can definitely reflect on those and help the players."

Colchester travel to Shropshire on the back of successive wins and Etherington is confident they can do themselves justice against a side from the division above.

"The resoluteness of the team over the last two games has been impressive," he added.

"Momentum should be building. With what we've done with the attacking threat we've got we're confident we can put on a performance."