New Colchester United boss John Ward interrupted defender Pat Baldwin’s wedding day yesterday to deliver some good news.

NEW Colchester United boss John Ward interrupted defender Pat Baldwin’s wedding day yesterday to deliver some good news.

The loyal centre-back controversially fell out of favour with manager Aidy Boothroyd last season and, following loan spells at Bristol Rovers and Southend, it looked as though his 10-year association with the club was about to come to an end.

However, Ward made it one of his first tasks as manager to ring the fans’ favourite and inform him that he would be brought back in from the cold.

“I rang Pat and didn’t realise he was getting married.” said Ward. “I told him I want him back and giving me competition. Hopefully that made his day even better!”

Ward also made a phone call to striker Steven Gillespie to tell him that he will be given more of a chance.

The new U’s boss – who has previously managed U’s players Ben Williams, Paul Reid and Simon Hackney at Carlisle, as well as Ashley Vincent, Kayode Odejayi and Gillespie at Cheltenham – has also promised to play a more ‘expressive’ game than his predecessor.

“Ultimately I want to win games, but I do want the players to have some freedom to play. I want ball carriers who can take the ball to the opposition.”

Ward quickly moved to resign teenage midfielder Sam Corcoran just days after Boothroyd had released him from the club.

He also confirmed the contracts that Boothroyd offered the out-of-contract duo of Phil Ifil and David Prutton shortly before his departure remain on the table.