RICHARD Brindley has vowed to settle down and reach his full potential, during his time with Colchester United.

The U’s new-boy, who recently joined on a permanent basis after being on loan late last season, had a difficult 2014-15 campaign after failing to pin down a regular starting berth at Rotherham United.

He spent time out on loan at Scunthorpe and Oxford before ending up at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Now Brindley is ready to lay down his roots and show everyone what he is capable of.

“The last couple of years have been hard for me,” said the 22-year-old.

“I’ve had to be patient and do a lot of waiting, to get a chance.

“It’s difficult because you have to train hard and be ready, but when you don’t get an opportunity it’s hard to take.

“I never got that opportunity at Rotherham.

“However, the experience will make me a better player.

“I’ll learn from it and feel sure it will make me mentally stronger.

“It will do me the world of good and it’s made me more determined to settle down here, push on and reach my potential.”

Norwich-born Brindley joined on loan in March, following Ipswich Town loanee Elliott Hewitt’s recall.

He made his debut on April 3, against Port Vale, and went on to make eight appearances in Colchester colours.

“I knew the lads from last season, so it’s been very easy for me to settle in,” he said.

“I believe in the squad and can see what we’re capable of.

“We’re all going into next season full of confidence.

“Good and bad experiences are part and parcel of football.

“You have to take the rough with the smooth and, in some respects, what happened last season (just avoiding relegation on the final day of the season) will have done us the world of good.

“We’ll benefit from it and we’re determined not to find ourselves in the same position again.

“Instead we want to hit the ground running.”