Liam Chilvers signed a two-year-deal in the summer of 2006 after rejecting a contract of the same length at Championship new boys Colchester United.

The 25-year-old arrived on a free transfer ending a three-year association with the U's, which included two loan spells.

The Chelmsford-born defender came through the ranks at Arsenal but failed to make an appearance for the first team. While there he enjoyed loan spells at Northampton, Notts County and Beveran in Belgium before his first spell at Layer Road, he signed permanently in June 2004 and went on to make 88 appearances, scoring three goals.

Following an injury to Youl Mawene there was a lot of expectation on the shoulders of both Chilvers and St Ledger, but they both rose to the challenge in their first season in the Championship.

Chilvers' cool, calm approach to his football certainly worked and he had an outstanding first season, missing just the one game over the entire campaign due to injury. He also chipped in with vital goals against Ipswich and Barnsley.