Cowleys sign contract extensions with Colchester

Colchester United boss Danny Cowley and assistant Nicky Cowley have signed two-year contract extensions with the League Two club.

The brothers were appointed in January 2024, having previously worked together at Lincoln City, Huddersfield Town and Portsmouth.

They secured the club's English Football League status, finishing three points clear of the relegation places in the 2023-24 season, and last season guided the U's to 10th, three points outside the play-off places.

Their new deals will run until the end of the 2027-28 season.

"We're really focused, and I think the people know us well enough by now to know that we're all in and are going to work relentlessly until we get this club to where we want it to be," Danny Cowley told BBC Essex Sport.

"I'm excited for the future, I really am. We wouldn't have committed for another two years if we didn't think there was loads of growth [possible]."

Colchester owner Robbie Cowling tried to sell the club to a US consortium, headed by businessman Tim Foley, over the summer but negotiations broke down.

The Cowleys are working with a reduced playing budget but their plans have been affected by injuries, including summer signing Ben Perry, who will not play again this season after rupturing his ACL.

Danny Cowley admitted it "hasn't been easy to be a Colchester United supporter in recent times. I think you live your life in a much better way if you just see the positives".

He added: "I only see opportunity for this football club, I see so much potential. I see exciting times ahead and we want to play our part in that."

The U's resume their league campaign with an away game against Barnet on Saturday.