COLCHESTER United paid agents' fees for the first time and owner/chairman Robbie Cowling described it as a 'necessary expense' of being in the Championship.

By Derek Davis

COLCHESTER United paid agents' fees for the first time and owner/chairman Robbie Cowling described it as a 'necessary expense' of being in the Championship.

The U's paid £91,300 in agents' fees after steadfastly refusing to pay out during Peter Heard's chairmanship.

Cowling, who owns internet employment service JobServe, felt the fees had to be paid to secure players and be able to compete at this level, he also pointed out agents had made them money in the transfer market.

He said: “Being in the Championship has seen the first cases of the club paying agents' fees but the two go hand in hand.

“We are now competing for players who are more in demand and there is always more than one club chasing to secure their services.

“In an ideal world we it would be great not to have to pay these fees but the level we are now at, has made them a necessary expense.

“What isn't quite a swell publicised is the fact that agents and also used to secure the best prices for players that want to leave the club.”

The U's brought in Teddy Sheringham and Luke Gutteridge as free agents and Danny Granville from Crystal Palace and Kevin Lisbie from Charlton on free transfers, while Adam Virgo was brought in on loan from Celtic.

Jamie Cureton, Wayne Brown and Garry Richards, were sold in the summer transfer window.

Peter Heard's contribution to Colchester United's success in clawing their way from non-league football to the Championship without paying agents' fees, and his huge part in getting the community stadium built for the U's to move into, has been rewarded.

Heard has been made a life president and will have his own special seat at the new ground.