PHIL Parkinson has urged his old club Colchester United to appoint his assistant Geraint Williams as his successor as manager.Parkinson will be unveiled as the new boss at Championship rivals Hull City this morning, after the two clubs agreed a compensation package worth £400,000 to the U's.

By Carl Marston

PHIL Parkinson has urged his old club Colchester United to appoint his assistant Geraint Williams as his successor as manager.

Parkinson will be unveiled as the new boss at Championship rivals Hull City this morning, after the two clubs agreed a compensation package worth £400,000 to the U's. The 38-year-old resigned as the U's boss on June 14, with a year still remaining on his contract.

Williams has been appointed the caretaker manager at Layer Road, but Parkinson believes that the Welshman should be given the job outright as the U's prepare for their first ever season in the Championship.

“I just hope that George (Geraint) Williams is given the job. The time is right for him,” insisted Parkinson last night.

“I think that George deserves a crack of the whip. He has been an assistant to me and to my predecessor Steve Whitton, and I think it would be a difficult scenario for him if another new manager was to come in. Now is George's time.

“He is a very good coach, and a very good backroom staff are already in place. He knows all the players and the foundations have already been built.

“I sincerely hope that the Board backs the new manager, with the pot of money that I have left as my legacy.

“George would be an excellent choice as manager and he deserves his chance,” added Parkinson.

Former Reading player-coach Parkinson presided over three years of unprecedented success at Layer Road, following his appointment at the end of February, 2003. There were numerous cup runs, and a triumphant promotion to the Championship at the end of last season.

He is looking forward to his new challenge at Hull City, who are a very ambitious club, but he also believes that Colchester can again defy the odds and establish themselves in the second tier of the Football League at the first time of asking.

Parkinson continued: “Naturally I am very happy that the compensation has been settled, and that we can all now move forward.

“Over the last three years, I estimate that I have earned Colchester United in the region of £2.5million, in terms of transfer fees and cup runs, as well as also securing promotion for the club.

“Alongside that, the club has also been given what I think is a very generous compensation package by Hull City.

“It is now a good chance for the club to move forward, and I'm really looking forward to them using this money to back the new manager.

“George (Williams) has been very loyal to Colchester United, and I'm sure that he would do well as manager, given the chance,” concluded Parkinson.