Colchester United have sent right-back Will Greenidge on loan for the first half of the season.
Despite making 25 appearances last season for The U’s, Danny Cowley has opted to send the 22-year-old out to Hornchurch, who are embarking on their first-ever campaign in the National League South. The Urchins have made a good start to life in the sixth tier and are currently sat in 13th place with three wins and one draw out of seven games.
The West Ham United academy graduate last made an appearance for Colchester in their last game of 2023, playing 59 minutes of a League Two game against AFC Wimbledon. It ended up being Matthew Etherington’s last game in charge in Essex and the former Stoke City midfielder was sacked a few days later.
Starting life at West Ham United, Greenidge transferred to United in January 2023, making 35 total appearances in blue and white. However, he has failed to make a single appearance under the Cowley Brothers but was named in the squad against Swindon Town and Bradford City.
The full-back has seen five different managers at the club since signing under now-Wycombe Wanderers boss Matt Bloomfield. He has also served under the leadership of Ben Garner, Ross Embleton, Etherington and Cowley.
Hornchurch confirmed the move, adding that the right-back is expected to make the squad this weekend against Worthing.
Colchester have had a solid start this season, with four points from four league games alongside a spirited performance against Premier League side Brentford in the EFL Cup. They welcome Bromley to Essex this weekend, who are on a two-game losing streak.
They suffered a major injury blow in that game against The Bees, with confirmation that 18-year-old breakout star Milton Oni has suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament rupture and will be out for ‘several months’. It was the midfielder’s first start in a senior game, having made substitute appearances against Reading and MK Dons.
Writer’s View
Will Greenidge was never really an option in Danny Cowley’s plans since taking over at Colchester United. Largely a victim of their system switch to a back three, he never really showed anything to make him a must-pick on the teamsheet. A move down the leagues to a club on the ascendency like Hornchurch will do him a world of good and is a ripe environment to get him playing regularly.
The Urchins have already beaten established National League South names such as St Albans and Eastbourne Borough in the first few weeks of the season. Despite losing figurehead manager Steve Morison to Sutton United last season, they have kept the good times rolling under former Ebbsfleet United boss Daryl McMahon. 13th place is a very respectable start after seven games and have settled nicely in the highest league the club has ever been in so far.
Be the first to comment