Former Blue Fabian Wilnis has joined Colchester United’s Centre of Excellence as a coach. The Dutchman joins ex-Town team-mate John McGreal as a member of the U’s youth set-up’s staff, working under another one-time Blues defender Tony Humes.
Wilnis said: "It’s nice to be back, it’s been a while since my testimonial and about a year since I came and played in the Legends match.
"I know [Colchester's head of youth and former Town Academy manager] Tony Humes, [ex-Town Academy coach] Sean Thacker and John McGreal from my Ipswich days, so it’s great to catch up with a few familiar faces.”
The 41-year-old, who recently moved back to the UK while promoting Jemsz, the sportswear company of which he is a director, has been looking for a coaching opportunity having given up his role as assistant manager of Dutch Hoofdklasse B side vv Heerjansdam earlier in the season.
Wilnis, who will be working part-time, mainly with Colchester’s U14s, says his new position provides him with an excellent chance to progress his coaching career: "The main thing for youngsters is to develop their game as much as possible, improve their awareness of what’s around them on the pitch and their knowledge. Hopefully, I’ll be able to use my experience and help them along the way.
"I’ve got my ‘B’ licence already and I’m aiming to start my ‘A’, which will take a couple of years, next summer. I have been doing a bit of coaching with a Conference-standard team in Holland but was looking to get something back here in England.
"My main aim is just to get some more coaching done now and it’s a fantastic opportunity I’ve been given by Colchester United.”