Relegation would stay with players forever - Cowley

Image source, Rex Features

Image caption, Danny Cowley took charge at Colchester in January

Colchester boss Danny Cowley has warned his players they will 鈥榥ever get over it鈥 if the club surrender their League Two status on Saturday.

The U鈥檚 need only a point from their final game at home to Crewe to guarantee survival, but could yet tumble into the National League on goal difference if they lose and Sutton 鈥 three points behind in 23rd place 鈥 triumph away to MK Dons.

While Cowley鈥檚 side also hold a five-goal advantage over their rivals, they have lost their last two games, including a 4-1 thumping at home to Doncaster in midweek.

鈥淚f you get relegated from the Football League, from the position we鈥檙e in, you鈥檇 never get over it," he told 大象传媒 Radio Essex.

鈥淚t lives with you every single day of your life. We know what鈥檚 at stake 鈥 we have to step up, it鈥檚 our responsibility, our jobs.

If you鈥檙e not big enough and tough enough to cope with that responsibility, you shouldn鈥檛 be here. We need people with fortitude, grit, determination and resilience 鈥 not people who feel sorry for themselves.

鈥淲e鈥檙e fighting for our lives on Saturday, but bring it on 鈥 I鈥檝e never given up on anything in my life and I鈥檓 not about to give up now.鈥

Originally elected to the Football League in 1950, Colchester have maintained that status for all but two seasons, dropping into the fifth tier between 1990 and 1992.

They finished 20th last season under Ben Garner, who was dismissed in October, with Matthew Etherington taking charge prior to Cowley鈥檚 appointment in the new year.