Iwelumo: the Vital U’s view

With former Potter, big Chris Iwelumo due to return to the Brit in Saturday’s vital game against Colchester, we asked our colleagues at Vital Colchester for a run down of how he’s done this season and this is what they had to say:

‘When Chris Iwelumo, the striker who played for Stoke City from 2000 – 2004, joined Colchester United in 2005, the imposing Scot just wanted to play first-team football and score goals.

36 later, and he’s a terrace hero in Essex. This season has been fantastic for Colchester, reflected through the good form of our strikers. Iwelumo and partner, Jamie Cureton, – your classic big-man/little-man pairing -have scored 41 between them.

Iwelumo desperately wants to get into the international foray, having made the B squad while with the Potters. He unfortunately had to withdraw: ‘I was misquoted when I said I should have put ‘Mac’ in front of my name for people to come and watch me. It’s still my dream to play for Scotland.’

The 28-year-old, often given stick because his six-foot four frame lends itself gung-ho football, has convinced the critics.

His best run in his first season came when the slighter Cureton was first on loan, and with our League One promotion ascent.

There’s competition with the pair also this year, because many of the Big man’s goals have been penalties, which Cureton thinks in unfair!

Iwelumo got a good reception at Layer Road back in November when Stoke came down, and scored four goals at home to Hull this season among his 17.

I think his work-rate is undervalued, and he allows a runner like Cureton the time to find goal-scoring positions. His goal on Easter Monday, at home to Leeds, also shows that he’s no Peter Crouch in the air.

U’s fans are definitely worried by reports that he could be on the way in the summer for the same amount we paid to buy him – nothing! His contract expires, with Hearts and, supposedly, Ipswich, reportedly in the running.

There would be no shortage of takers but we’ll have to hope that he’s happy enough in Colchester, despite the loss of his close team-mate, Neil Dannsy (to Birmingham) last summer.

After eight clubs in ten years – nine including a trial with Preston – United fans are hoping he’s found a permanent home.’


Thanks to Matt for taking the time to do this for us.