Former Blues midfielder Byron Lawrence believes he needed a fresh start having been unable to break back into the first-team picture at Portman Road. The 18-year-old joined Colchester United on a free transfer on deadline day and made his U’s debut in Tuesday’s 3-2 home defeat to Sheffield United.

Academy graduate Lawrence broke through into Town the first-team squad as a 15-year-old when he was an unused sub in the 2-1 Carling Cup defeat to Northampton in August 2011.

He became the club’s second-youngest first-team player behind Connor Wickham when he came on as a sub aged 16 years and 47 days on the final day of the 2011/12 season in the 3-2 victory at Doncaster, but did not add to that appearance.

“It’s been a really interesting couple of years for me,” he told the Colchester Gazette.

“Things probably didn’t go as I had wanted when I made my debut at 16. I always tried my best to kick on at Ipswich but I knew that I needed to move on to play.

“I had a few conversations with Mick McCarthy and I had a good relationship with him.

“He thought I was a good player but not quite good enough to play in his team.

“It was good to get away and have a fresh start and it’s what I needed after a couple of years at Ipswich.

“I came to a really good club in Colchester - I really like it here and it was an easy place to come to.”

Lawrence, who joined the Blues' youth set-up from Histon as a schoolboy, says his Colchester debut was bittersweet with the U’s 1-0 in front when he came on in the 76th minute. They increased their lead almost immediately before conceding three times in the last seven minutes.

“I had mixed emotions - I was happy to get on and get my first game time for Colchester but it was a tough game to take,” he added.

“It was a debut to remember but it was a good experience. [Assistant boss] Richard [Hall] has told me to try and take the positives - he said it’s very rare for that to happen in a game.

“I’m really enjoying being part of the first-team squad and they’re a really good team to be involved in.

“I have to keep playing well in the U21s and in training and hopefully get some more game time.”

Photo: Action Images

Luk38644 added 14:03 - Sep 19 Good luck Byron!
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ITFCRealist added 15:41 - Sep 19 Yet again, Mick proves he has no clue when it comes to young players. Next up to be released will be Marriott.
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Coco added 15:49 - Sep 19 Mings, Henshall, Noubs, Bishop, Clarke....
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Swailsey added 16:03 - Sep 19 ITFCrealist - except for Mings, Noubs, Bishop, Clarke, Hyam, Henshall....
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PJH added 16:05 - Sep 19 ITFCRealist-you might be right about Marriott being the next one released but the list from Coco shows that those that are good enough DO get a chance.
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brian_a_mul added 16:57 - Sep 19 Dont forget Hyam, plus Crowe is knocking around the senior squad. I expect we may be seeing McDonnell very soon if he keeps up the progress he is making. This lad sounds very promising indeed. Mariott is back at the club, Im sure he will be more involved. He will have better match fitness compared to Bajner.
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ArnieM added 17:15 - Sep 19 Good luck fella. Youre a good player and I suspect you'll carve out a good soild career in the game with your new club.
2

Ipswichbusiness added 18:39 - Sep 19 This news item is about a young midfielder leaving for first team opportunities, the next one is about Tabb saying how much he is enjoying being back in the team; I fear that says it all.
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