Colchester United manager Danny Cowley has drawn a lofty comparison for his new signing Jay Williams, likening him to a title-winning hero from his past. Cowley made the remarks after the midfielder's debut in a busy week for the U's, who finished 12th in League Two last season.
Speaking to reporters this week, Cowley was full of praise for the deadline-day acquisition. The manager directly compared Williams's character to that of Michael Bostwick, a central figure in his and brother Nicky's successful spell at Lincoln City. "I think Jay leads by example," Cowley said. "We had a boy called Michael Bostwick, who’s definitely one of my top-five ever signings." Bostwick won the League Two title and the EFL Trophy under the Cowleys at Lincoln, also claiming the club's Player of the Year award. Cowley expanded on the comparison, stating, "He’s just a winner, with so much determination and fighting quality."
The versatile player, who can operate in midfield or at centre-half, made his debut for Colchester at Swindon's County Ground. His introduction came during a demanding three-game week for the squad. Unfortunately, Williams was forced off before the hour mark in that match due to cramp. This mirrored an issue for teammate Kylian Kouassi, though Cowley noted Kouassi had more prior football experience to draw upon. Williams had previously featured in the back end of Crawley's pre-season against Reading and also came on in the Carabao Cup preliminary round tie against York. The team's collective response in their following match against Crewe was described as telling, showing resilience after a tough period.
The club heads into the new campaign looking to build on a mid-table finish. Their final 2025 League Two standing was 12th, having accumulated 66 points from 46 games with a record of 18 wins, 12 draws, and 16 losses. Their goal difference of +13, built on 62 goals scored and 49 conceded, was a positive. However, the gap to the summit was significant, ending the season 21 points behind champions Bromley. Fans can track the team's progress in the new season via the official standings page.
Attention now turns to integrating new signings like Williams fully into the squad ahead of the new league campaign. The manager's high praise sets a clear expectation for the player's impact at the JobServe Community Stadium. Supporters can view the full roster and player profiles on the club's squad page. Meanwhile, the Colchester United women's team prepares for a home clash with Newmarket Town in the Women's FA Cup, representing another competitive front for the club. The next fixtures for the first team are available on our fixtures schedule.
