JOHN Ward may not be setting promotion deadlines like his predecessor, but the new U’s boss’ desire to manage is burning brighter than ever.

JOHN Ward may not be setting promotion deadlines like his predecessor, but the new U’s boss’ desire to manage is burning brighter than ever.

Aidy Boothroyd boldly claimed that he was aiming to secure promotion to the Championship within two seasons when he took over at the Essex club last September.

However, even though Ward has already led four clubs to promotion throughout his well-travelled management and coaching career, experience has taught him not to get too carried away.

“I won’t be going overboard saying that I’m going to do this and that,” said Ward, 59, who has previously helped York, Bristol City, Wolves and Cheltenham move up out of their respective divisions.

“Aidy is 39 and on the fast train, but I’ve been around the game for 40 years now. I’ve managed five different clubs and I know that things go up and down.

“The main objective is to improve, but we finished in the fourth highest position in the club’s history this season so that will not be easy.

“The chairman and myself both want to get this club playing a league higher, but I won’t get drawn into saying I’m going to do this or that within certain time limits.”

Ward yesterday revealed that he applied for the managerial position at Colchester the last time it was vacant but, after Boothroyd was given the job, agreed to join him in the assistant manager’s role.

He has not been a manager in his own right since November 2008 when it was agreed that he would leave struggling League One club Carlisle United by mutual consent.

“I’ve always wanted to get back into management,” said Ward. “The chairman asked me if I still had the hunger for it and I took him to task on that. I’m nowhere near finished.”