Boo Boys 1
Manager 0

At ten past three on Saturday, Geraint Williams probably had a fair idea which way the wind was blowing.

With his side quickly 1-0 down at home to MK Dons, the lunatics playing up in the stands behind him.

Here was a proud, dignified Welshman, who had served Colchester United as a player, coach and manager for ten years.

He had led the U's to their highest-ever League finish of tenth in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Before this season he had battled away on limited resources inside a ramshackle ground achieving results the club had no right to expect.

That record surely deserved more than he got at the new Community Stadium.

Foul-mouthed idiots took it upon themselves to let Williams know what they thought to the start of the season - and they certainly did not care who else was forced to listen to their abuse.

The season has been disappointing for Colchester United, a fact admitted by Chairman Robbie Cowling:

But he acknowledges his frustration with the so-called supporters who had "let Geraint down," with their tirade of abuse.

Fans pay their money and have the right to voice their views.

But a line has to be drawn somewhere when those views become personal, foul-mouthed and offensive - not only to the subject of their ire, but also to those around them who have come to watch a game of football, sometimes with their young families.

Common sense and acceptable behaviour are left at the turnstile by some of them. Would they behave that way on Colchester High Street? I hope not.

Did Geraint choose to bite back? Argue his case? Indulge in a slanging match?

No, after Saturday's match he talked about his wish to take the club forward and improve results.

But after a chat with Cowling came the mutual decision for him to stand down; further proof of the credentials of what the chairman calls a "decent, hard-working man."

This is not a party political broadcast on behalf of the Williams Party!

He had the biggest budget ever given to a manager of Colchester and paid six-figure fees for players as the club strives for a return to the Championship.

But some players must look at themselves and ask if they did all they could to back up the belief Williams showed in them.

Williams will never have the chance to show if he could mould a side capable of going up.

He will look to pastures new and the coaching qualifications, experience and success he has enjoyed will mean another job surely will not be too far away.

Colchester United, meanwhile, will turn to the task of finding a successor. Plenty of names are in the frame; Billy Davies, Ian Holloway, Teddy Sheringham, Steve Cotterill, etc.

Maybe the new man will lead the U's to success, but just as Geraint Williams has discovered, it will not take long for the boo-boys to show their teeth should results not improve.

Expectation levels have been raised at Colchester and Cowling has called for fans to have a "reality check."

How many at the game on Saturday were at Layer Road 20 years ago when the U's dropped out of The Football League?

The ones who launched their tirade at Geraint Williams have got their way.

He has gone, mission accomplished. From what I heard and read they should take no pride in their behaviour. Sadly, they will probably feel a sense of achievement.

Tune in to BBC Radio Essex on 103.5/95.3FM & DAB

For all the latest news on Colchester United please click here