Colchester United’s leading marksman, Luke Norris, will be up against his brother-in-law Lewis Young tomorrow, when Crawley Town are the visitors to the Jobserve Community Stadium.
But the family connection does not stop there, because Norris will accompany his nephew, Reggie, onto the pitch before the start of this League Two clash.
And although Reggie happens to be Young’s son, he is to set to wear a small replica of the Colchester United No. 9 shirt that Norris dons each week, with the word ‘Uncle’ at the back of the shirt!
“It’s not the first time I have been up against my brother-in-law,” revealed Norris, following yesterday’s training session at Florence Park, Tiptree.
“We’ve played against each other a couple of times. I remember he won with Crawley at ours (Swindon) last season, so I owe him one for that!
“We speak to each other a lot, and I’ll be running out with my nephew Reggie this weekend. He’s have the name ‘Uncle’ on his back,” added Norris.
A summer recruit from Swindon, Norris was referring to Crawley’s 3-0 away win at the County Ground in August, 2017, when he was playing up front for the Robins and Young was operating as a right-back for Crawley.
Later in the season, the Red Devils drew 1-1 at home to Swindon, with Norris and brother-in-law Young again in the opposing starting line-ups.
Norris was introduced as a late substitute during Tuesday night’s 2-0 home win over Essex rivals Southend United, in a Checkatrade Trophy group match.
Instead, Mikael Mandron was given a rare start up top, and although the ex-Wigan striker impressed, Norris should return to the fold for the visit of Crawley tomorrow, especially as he has already plundered seven goals from 12 outings this season.
“Most clubs have got big squads, so it’s always good to get minutes under the belt for other squad members,” said Norris.
“It keeps them ticking over, if they are suddenly needed. Sometimes I feel like I need a rest, but your main aim is to always play as many games as you can.
“Besides, we are being paid to play football, so you can’t moan about playing extra games. You always want to play in all the games, to get another appearance for your club.
“Tuesday night was a good win, and it should stand us in good stead for this weekend.
“To date, most of my goals (five) have been scored away from home. I did score against Crewe (6-0 win in August) and against Bury (2-1 defeat), but of course I’d like to be scoring more goals in front of our home fans.
“It’s unusual really, because usually it’s more difficult to score goals when you are away from home, so it’s quite strange to be scoring more on the road.
“I’m not afraid to shoot, from any distance. In fact, I regard that as my main asset, my ability to shoot. I can snap at things from any distance, and create power in the shot,” added Norris.
Norris has enjoyed a great start to his Colchester career, and has already been nominated for a couple of player-of-the-month awards, the latest being the PFA award for September.
“I wouldn’t say that I hadn’t expected to make such a good start to my Colchester career,” continued Norris.
“The first two games were a bit frustrating for me, because I thought I was fit to play, but I wasn’t being chosen (in the starting line-up). But I took my chance as soon as it came my way.
“Playing in a central role, I am obviously judged on the number of goals I score, and the number of goals I can set up for others. I need to be doing my job, scoring and creating goals, because others are waiting in the wings.
“Mikael (Mandron) is champing at the bit to get into the side. He’s a great forward, he’s training very well and he’s creating good competition for places.
“And Frank (Nouble) has been pushed out wide in recent weeks, whereas before he was playing in that central role.”
The U’s have dipped to eighth in the table, one point and one place outside the play-off zone, following last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Stevenage. They are now level on points with Crawley.
Norris confirmed: “We have slipped out of the top seven for the first time this season, so we have to get back on board and get back into the top seven this weekend.
“There is always one team, every year, who is 18th or 19th around Christmas, and then goes on a ridiculous run to get into the play-offs.
“I’m sure that will be the case again this year, although we don’t want to be that team who is having to come from so far back.
“We want to be in and around it all season, and we really need to start winning some back-to-back games.”
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