Anthony Scully says he is determined to repay the faith shown in him by Colchester United manager Danny Cowley after scoring his first league goal for the club since returning on loan from Portsmouth.
The 25-year-old forward has endured a stop-start campaign, having undergone ankle surgery earlier in the season. Despite his injury, Colchester brought him back for a second spell at the end of the January transfer window – a move that Scully says underlines the trust Cowley has placed in him.
Scully came off the bench to score Colchester’s second in their 2-0 win at Newport County last weekend, a result that kept their play-off hopes alive.
“Faith That I Want To Repay”
Speaking about Cowley’s influence, Scully was full of praise for the U’s boss and his brother Nicky, who have backed him throughout his recovery.
“He’s been absolutely amazing for me, even initially taking me from the start. It shows the faith they have in me and hopefully, I can repay them before the end of the season.”
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international had worked indirectly with the Cowleys in the past but revealed this is their first formal collaboration. Scully said he has enjoyed every moment and highlighted the togetherness within the Colchester squad as a major factor in his enthusiasm since returning to action.
Scully began his football journey with West Ham United, joining their youth setup in 2011. He progressed through the ranks and signed his first professional contract in May 2016. While at West Ham, he also had trial appearances with Norwich City and Nottingham Forest, seeking further opportunities to develop his career.
In February 2020, after making 37 appearances for West Ham’s under-23 team, Scully made the move to League One side Lincoln City. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his first start for the club. His performances earned him a contract extension in early 2021, and later that year, he was nominated for the League One Player of the Month award.
Scully transferred to Wigan Athletic in September 2022, before moving to Portsmouth in June 2023. Although his playing time was limited, he was part of the squad that earned promotion. In August 2024, he joined Colchester United on loan.
Writer’s View
Scully’s return could be the boost Colchester needed at just the right time. His goal against Newport was a reminder of what he can offer in the final third, but perhaps more important is the connection he’s found with Cowley.
That bond may well be the key to unlocking his full potential over the final weeks of the campaign, because there’s no doubt Scully is a top talent, on his day.
