BLUES boss Phil Brown has been named League Two manager of the month for November.

Brown led the Shrimpers to five successive victories before ending the month with a 1-1 draw against Cheltenham Town.

But he was keen to share the award with everyone at the club.

“I think this award is testament to how hard all the staff have worked at Southend United,” said Brown.

“It’s been a good month but we have a fantastic backroom team here who have been superb along with the players so it’s an award everyone connected with the club should be proud of.”

Brown saw off competition from Accrington Stanley’s James Beattie, Burton Albion’s Gary Rowett and Bristol Rovers’ John Ward to win the award.

And former Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley who chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel was full of praise for Brown’s work.

“Phil Brown has made a very positive start to life at Southend and an unbeaten month has moved his side into the automatic promotion places,” said Curbishley. “In an incredibly tight Sky Bet League Two Southend are one of five teams on 33 points in the division at the end of November.”

Blues will now be looking to take that form in to December and Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman has also been impressed by Brown’s work at Roots Hall.

“Phil is using his considerable experience to lead a Southend promotion push out of Sky Bet League Two,” said Goodman.

“Moving from eighth to third in November is a great start but Phil will be keen to keep the momentum going long into the new year.”