FORMER Colchester United keeper Scott Barrett, a hero of the U’s double-winning side of 20 years ago, has been appointed assistant manager at Thurrock.

Barrett will assist Thurrock boss Mark Stimson at the Ryman League club.

Keeper Barrett, who made nearly 500 appearances in the Football League and Conference, with Wolves, Stoke, Colchester, Gillingham, Cambridge United and Leyton Orient, had been assistant manager at League Two outfit Barnet.

He is best remembered for scoring a last-minute winner for the U’s at Conference promotion rivals Wycombe Wanderers on September 28, 1991.

Barrett was an ever-present as the U’s went on to win both the Conference and the FA Trophy that season. He had also been ever-present the previous campaign,

Now aged 49, Barrett had been an assistant to Stimson at Grays Athletic, Stevenage Borough, Gillingham and Barnet, before teaming up again with the ex-Newcastle and Portsmouth defender at Thurrock.

Thurrock were relegated from the Blue Square South to the Ryman League after the most recent season, after which Stimson was appointed the new boss.