COLCHESTER United skipper Karl Duguid admitted that there were times when he feared a move to a new stadium was “never going to happen.”Duguid knows more than most about the trials and tribulations involved in the club trying to relocate from Layer Road to a new ground.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United skipper Karl Duguid admitted that there were times when he feared a move to a new stadium was “never going to happen.”

Duguid knows more than most about the trials and tribulations involved in the club trying to relocate from Layer Road to a new ground. The 28-year-old has been at Layer Road all his life, having graduated from the youth team ranks more than 10 years ago.

On Monday night, councillors unanimously agreed to finance the building of the long-awaited Community Stadium, at Cuckoo Farm. Construction is due to start next spring, and the U's could be playing at their new home by March, 2008.

Duguid revealed last night: “It was a case of now or never. Matters had been coming to a head, and I was beginning to question whether it was ever going to happen.

“Talk of moving to a new ground has been going on ever since I've been at the club, and that's several years! I'm sure a lot of fans were having the same doubts as me.

“To move to the next level, we need this new ground. There is a buzz about the place now, and the players are looking forward with anticipation.

“Of course we want to stay in this division. That's important for when we move to the new ground. The potential is there, as is reflected in the rising crowds this season.

“In fact, I'm sure that our success on the pitch, with all the big crowds, has had a bearing on the outcome for the stadium. It showed everyone that we needed a new home. Playing in the Championship may well have swung it in our favour,” added Duguid.

U's stalwart Duguid is set to make his 372nd appearance for the club at Sunderland this Saturday. And it's another chance to play at a splendid new stadium.

“Like most of the lads, I've only seen the Stadium of Light on TV. I've not played there,” continued Duguid.

“It's been great visiting all these new grounds this season. It wasn't so exciting going to away games last season, when we were visiting the same places, year-after-year.

“Now we are going to big clubs with a terrific history, just as we are now trying to make a little history for ourselves.

“It's been great to play at places like Leeds, West Brom and Coventry. We were naturally disappointed not to perform at Elland Road last weekend (3-0 defeat), but there's no point in dwelling on that defeat.

“This is a big month for us. We want to bounce back at Sunderland, and we also have home games against our rivals Southend, and our old manager's (Phil Parkinson's) Hull team,” added Duguid.