CARL Pentney has enjoyed a terrific last couple of months, even though the frustrated keeper is still waiting to make his debut for Colchester United.

Colchester-born Pentney, who came up through the youth ranks at Leicester City, arrived at his home-town club two years ago, after being released by the Foxes.

Although the 23-year-old has still not played a senior game for the U’s, he has recently enjoyed two pieces of good news.

Firstly, his new ‘Keeper Academy’ was launched in April, and is already proving popular with budding young keepers across the region.

And secondly, he secured his short-term future at Colchester by signing a new one-year deal this week.

“I’m happy to sign a new contract, because its always nice to feel that you are wanted by a club,” explained Pentney.

“It is always a worrying time when you are out of contract and waiting to learn whether you will be offered a new one.

“I’ve tended to play most of my games on loan at other clubs, which often happens with a young keeper, but it’s a dream of mine to play for my home-town club.

“I want to break into the first team, and to that end pre-season is very important. You want to go into pre-season feeling at the top of your fitness to give yourself a chance of playing.”

Although Pentney spent five years at Leicester City, he only ever made one league appearance, as a 59th substitute in a 1-1 draw against Swindon Town in February, 2009.

He initially arrived at Colchester in the summer of 2010, on non-contract terms as cover for the injured Ben Williams.

Since then, he has had loan spells at the likes of Bath City, Chelmsford City (twice) and Hayes & Yeading, while remaining third choice behind Williams and Mark Cousins at Colchester.

No. 1 choice Williams is currently out of contract, and weighing up his options. The ex-Carlisle custodian has been offered a new deal by the U’s, but might choose to go elsewhere.

“We will have to wait and see what happens with Ben,” continued Pentney.

With reference to his new ‘Keeper Academy,’ which is based at Lawford, Pentney enthused: “It’s going very well.

“We started it at the end of April, and were running courses throughout May, for under-eights and under-16s.”

To learn more about the ‘Keeper Academy,’ visit www.carlpentney.co.uk