Jim's already beaten George - at golf!

By Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton is looking to get another one over on his Colchester United counterpart Geraint Williams - after beating him on the golf course.

The two managers went head-to-head in a private game when both were winless in their first season as managers at the bottom of the Championship.

Since then results have perked up for both as they have steered their respective teams up the table.

Magilton revealed: “We had both lost three on the bounce so we went to Woodbridge to have a round of golf.

“We just did it to get away from it and never really talked about football but it was just good for us - and I won.

“He was a horrible little man - in the nicest possible way. He was awful to play against, a very difficult opponent.”

Fate has conspired to pit the two midfielders against each other in the first league meeting between Colchester and Ipswich for nearly 50 years in their first season as managers.

It didn't augur well for either when both were jockeying for position at the bottom of the table with three straight defeats.

The two struggling bosses decided to vent their frustrations with a different set of clubs and a Town scout.

Magilton said: “It was a pretty horrific start for both of us so we just decided to get together and we went for a game of golf at Woodbridge with Charlie Woods.

“We just did it to get away from it and never really talked about football but it was just good for us - and I won.

“We had a good time but on the Monday we were back at it and it seems to have worked for us.”

Now the duo are going head to head for the September manager of the month award after a run of five unbeaten league games for the U's and six for the Blues.

Magilton believes a couple of key signings and consistency have been vital to the turnaround in the U's fortunes.

He said: “George has had the luxury of being able to pick the same team while we have not been afforded that luxury.

“They also have Ray Harford on the coaching staff now and I'm sure his experience and knowledge has helped make a difference.