John Terry and Colchester - why now, and why are ex-pros buying clubs?

John Terry and Colchester - why now, and why are ex-pros buying clubs?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, John Terry won 17 trophies in a 19-year playing career with ChelseaByDaniel AustinBBC Sport senior journalistPublished5 minutes agoWhen Colchester United acknowledged on Monday that the club is in "detailed discussions" about a possible sale to consortium of investors, they declined to name any of the potential buyers.But BBC Sport understands that reports linking former England and Chelsea captain John Terry to the group are accurate.The U's have been up for sale since last year, and having had two other takeover attempts fail in that time, fans are anxious for a deal to be done before the summer transfer window.So why would a potential deal appeal to both the club and Terry, and why are so many high-profile former footballers investing in teams?Why are Colchester up for sale and what makes Terry's involvement attractive to them?Colchester haven't suffered from the kind of financial instability which has dogged many rivals clubs in the Football League, but are enduring the longest spell without a promotion of any of its 72 teams, having spent 10 successive seasons in League Two.Owner Robbie Cowling has been in charge since 2006 but put the club up for sale last year, saying he wanted to find "the right long-term steward" to propel it forward."I think I could grow [Colchester] incrementally, but fans aren't interested in that, all they're worried about is how it does in the league and whether it wins", Cowling said.Two potential deals - one with an American investment vehicle, the other with a consortium involving former AC Milan and Chelsea forward Alexandre Pato - have already fallen through.Terry has been involved in a series of controversies - a ban for racist abuse, being stripped of the England captaincy, an alleged affair with a team-mate's partner, promotion of football-related cryptocurren...