EVERY now and then, a footballer has to make a big decision to help shape his career.

Gavin Massey made one such decision this week, when choosing to leave his home-town club of Watford, and strike out on a different path at Colchester United.

Of course this is not a case of Massey stepping out into the complete unknown. The 19-year-old attacker has already enjoyed two spells on loan with the U’s, during the second half of last season.

But it was still “a wrench” for the Watford-born Massey to cut his ties with the Hornets.

“It was hard to leave, especially as I was saying my goodbyes to a couple of the lads who I had been with at Watford since the age of nine!” revealed Massey.

“I grew up with some of them, went to school with them, and I only lived around the corner from the stadium (Vicarage Road).

“So it was a wrench to leave.

“But sometimes you have to make these sort of decisions, and it had not worked out the way I had wanted at Watford.

“The club has undergone massive changes recently, and there isn’t really the same opportunities for the younger players.

“The category status for the Academy has gone down to Category Three, which is one below Colchester.

“Maybe they will be relying more on their connections with Udinese and Granada CF,” added Massey. The Pozzo family own all three clubs.

A product of the Harefield Academy at Watford, Massey made his first-team debut for the Hornets more than two years ago, as a late substitute in a 4-0 win at Coventry.

But the winger-cum-striker only totalled seven league games for the Championship club, and he was always unlikely to feature in Gianfranco Zola’s new set-up.

However, Watford’s loss is Colchester’s gain, and Massey is relishing the next chapter of his career with the League One U’s.

“I had a taster of what it was like last year, so I know that it is a club with big potential,” continued Massey.

“For the younger players like myself, the new training ground (Florence Park) is a big attraction, because I know that I still need to develop my potential.

“Hopefully, I can give the team a few more attacking options.

“I’m happy with playing up front, as well as on the wing. I’m not fussed, although I expect the gaffer (John Ward) will want to use me as winger, running at the full-back.”

Massey was introduced to the crowd, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, before kick-off on Tuesday night.

He then took his seat in the main-stand to watch what turned out to be a thrilling 2-2 draw against Portsmouth.

Now he will be hoping to grace the pitch, rather than the stands, for tomorrow’s home game against Sheffield United.

“I’m not 100% fit at the moment,” admitted Massey.

“I haven’t played as many games in pre-season as I would have liked, because of the situation at Watford. I reckon I’m about 95%. But I’m looking forward to making my third ‘debut,’ hopefully on Saturday.”