TONY Adcock has more memories than most of Layer Road - it's where he scored his 200th career goal!Adcock was just one of a number of Colchester United legends to be introduced to the crowd at half-time, during the U's final ever game against Stoke City on Saturday.

Carl Marston

TONY Adcock has more memories than most of Layer Road - it's where he scored his 200th career goal!

Adcock was just one of a number of Colchester United legends to be introduced to the crowd at half-time, during the U's final ever game against Stoke City on Saturday.

The Essex club are moving to a new stadium at Cuckoo Farm next season, but a capacity crowd at Layer Road was not thinking about the future. Instead, they were remembering past glories.

Adcock scored 126 league goals during two successful spells at Layer Road, initially from 1981 to 1987, and then at the twilight of his career from 1995 to 1999.

“Layer Road brings back all sorts of memories for me,” admitted an emotional Adcock after the final whistle of Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Stoke.

“It's where I started my career as an apprentice at the age of 16. I scored more than 100 league goals for the club, and it's where I scored the 200th goal of my career.

“We used to play with two wingers and I was just the fox in the box who got on the end of the crosses.

“Layer Road was always massively different to most grounds. You could hear everything that was being said in the crowd, because they were so close to the action.

“When I was playing, most of our home games were on a Friday night. They were always lots of fun, with a great atmosphere.

“I can't believe that this is the last day. I can't believe that the ground won't be around for much longer. It's quite a sad day,” admitted Adcock.

The 45-year-old ex-striker still lives in Colchester, although he rarely goes to football matches these days.

“As a footballer, you had to give up your weekends and your Christmases, so I'm getting them back now,” added Adcock.

Former U's stars Micky Cook, Martyn King, Reg Stewart, Mark Kinsella, Peter Wright, Mick Packer, Vic Keeble, Paul Abrahams and Neil Danns were also introduced to the Layer Road crowd at half-time.