What is going on at Colchester? Consider ourselves lucky

Us secure injunction on boss
Championship new boys Colchester have secured a temporary High Court injunction to prevent manager Phil Parkinson from walking out of the club.


Parkinson tendered his resignation last week after being denied the opportunity to speak to Charlton, Derby and Ipswich and has been linked with the vacant managerial post at Hull.

But Colchester chairman Peter Heard refused to accept Parkinson's resignation and, upon the 38-year-old's return from a family holiday, the club instigated the legal action.

With the injunction in place any club now approaching Parkinson, who has a year left on his contract at Layer Road, would have to pay compensation to the Essex club.

After this afternoon's verdict was reached at the High Court in London, the club released a statement which read: "Colchester United are pleased to announce they have won their case to secure a temporary injunction against manager Phil Parkinson, preventing his breach of contract with the club.

"This verdict vindicates our decision to take this stand to protect the interests of the football club.

"There are legal procedures in place in football concerning managerial positions, including how and when managers can leave their employers, and we feel the correct verdict was arrived at in court today.

"Should any club wish to pursue Mr Parkinson as their manager, we hope that correct protocol will be observed.

"Phil Parkinson will continue to be the manager of Colchester United until such a time that his contract expires, Colchester United give permission for another club to speak to him, or the temporary injunction is lifted."

Hull chairman Adam Pearson has remained tight-lipped over speculation about Parkinson becoming Peter Taylor's replacement at the KC Stadium, but he admitted he would "act upon" the former Reading midfielder's resignation.

Parkinson's stock rose considerably last season, when he took a Colchester side tipped for relegation into the Championship for the first time in their history and on an FA Cup run which saw them narrowly beaten by Chelsea in the fifth round.