Former Town academy chief Tony Humes has joined Colchester United as their head of youth. The ex-Blues and Wrexham defender was sacked by Town in January after seven years working at Playford Road.

The 43-year-old says he is looking forward to helping to bring on the next generation of U's youngsters: "It's an exciting challenge ahead with a new group of staff who have a strong will to improve things across the whole of the club. We are in a new stadium, with ambitious people at the helm, and the club is certainly going in the right direction."

Humes will be working alongside youth team coach Joe Dunne, early years development manager Dmitri Halajko and football operations manager Gary Karsa.

Meanwhile, Colchester have again been linked with a move for ex-Town youngster Lee Beevers. The central defender, who is currently out of contract at Lincoln City, was previously mentioned in connection with the U's in May. The move may now be more likely as Motherwell, who were thought to be favourites for the former Boston man's signature, have lost their manager Mark McGhee to Aberdeen.

Elsewhere, Cork City's ongoing attempts to avoid being wound up by the Irish tax authorities continued yesterday. The Leesiders, who Town will play in a pre-season friendly this summer, were granted an adjournment at the Hugh Court in Dublin after they made a payment of €102,000. A meeting is now expected to take place to clarify precisely what Cork still owe, something which remains disputed.

Town's friendly at Turners Cross, long pencilled in for Sunday 19th July but still not confirmed, is likely to help fund a further payment to the Irish Revenue.

And, with Tony Mowbray's appointment as Celtic manager expected in the next few days, with Mark Venus as his assistant, another ex-Town defender has been linked with the Glasgow giants. Hermann Hreidarsson, who has already been mentioned in connection with Rangers this summer, is said to be a target of his former coach's new club. The Icelander is out of contract at Portsmouth.

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