Former Imp In Surprise League Two Move: Reaction

Last season, I did two articles on Ted Bishop. Both were saying how, on his day, he was as good as any in this division.

It was no surprise that he was offered a new deal, but I don’t think wasn’t a ‘new deal’ that saw him lose out a huge amount, as I understand it. I think he was offered similar terms to his existing contract to stay, but he went away to find a new deal.

Perhaps, at 28, he wanted a longer deal for security. Perhaps he wanted a longer deal if he was to stay away from his home in the south east. I don’t know, but it was no surprise he trialled at Charlton, not really. When he’s fit and firing, he’s as good as any player in this division and I could see a squad like Charlton, not reliant on any one player for 46 games, being perfect for him.

When that didn’t work out, maybe it was Orient? Cambridge? There was zero doubt, in my kind at least, he’d remain in League One. Yesterday, he joined Danny and Nicky at Colchester United in League Two. Surprised? Absolutely.

I might get pelters for this, but after Lincoln City, wherever Danny and Nicky are, will be the next team I look out for. I will never forget what they did for our club, nor what they did for me on a personal level. Here’s the measure of Danny Cowley – when Dad got cancer last year, Danny sent him a message of support. When I wrote something he felt was inaccurate about him during his time at Pompey, he picked up the phone and rang me to discuss it. I wasn’t one of the supporters who went to watch Huddersfield. I didn’t even clap him as he did the lap after Pompey beat us, but outside of Lincoln City, they remain two of my favourite people.

I want Colchester to do well, and now they’re looking incredibly strong.

It’s not just Ted, who shouldn’t be anywhere near League Two. It’s Harry Anderson, a player whom I am as fond of as I am Danny as a manager. It’s Jack Payne, skilful and able to unlock defences. It’s Captain Tom (Hopper), another who I know Danny always wanted to work with and who, again, is just a nice bloke. It’s Alex Woodyard, another who was always brilliant with me, who served us well and who took a huge risk dropping into non-league with York City, only to see it pay off.

Back to Ted – if there’s anywhere you want to be to prove you’re not an injury risk, it is under Danny, isn’t it? Neal Eardley and Michael O’Connor would certainly say so. Danny was perfect at managing risk, with certain players barely training, ensuring they were fit for matches. If they keep Ted fit, he should be a huge asset, but League Two is tough, and players like him are often targetted. Look at Jorge Grant, smashed about at Mansfield, nullified, yet so effective for us a division above.

I’m please for Ted. He’s going to be working with good people in a good environment, which he had here for the final six months. I hope Danny will play him in a role he thrives in, and I hope he enjoys the years he spends at Colchester. Until we meet them, in the cup or league, I hope they smash it, and then when they’re in the opposition dugout, I’ll put this little love affair aside and concentrate on ym one true love, Lincoln City.

A Lincoln City who wouldn’t be where we are today with Danny and Nicky Cowley.