ALAN Mullally has revealed how a sense of nostalgia led to him making a shock move to Southend & EMT Cricket Club.

The 44-year-old former England international will be in action at Southchurch Park next season.

And he cannot wait to finally line up for his home-town club.

“I was born in Southend so I wanted to come back and end my career by playing for them,” said Mullwally.

“I moved away from here to go to Perth when I was five, but I still have family here and I’m living with my Auntie Pat, my cousin Amanda and her husband Matt at the moment and it’s great.

“All I remember about Southend before was the corner shop and being bitten by an Alsatian dog, but I’ve already met some great people and I’m looking forward to getting back into playing cricket again.”

Mullally admits he will need to work hard to get back into shape having not played at all for the last four years.

But he is confident of securing success on his return to Southend.

“I understand Southend were promoted last year but I don’t just want to help them stay up I want to help them go up again,” said Mullally.

“I know what it takes to win things and I will try to use that experience to help the team and also the youngsters here I’m looking forward to coaching.”

Mullally played 19 Tests for England and 50 one-day internationals, taking a combined 121 wickets.

But he refutes suggestions he will be a big name in Division One of the Shepherd Neame Essex League next term.

“I don’t consider myself to be at all famous, even my mum gets my name wrong most of the time so I can’t be,” said Mullally.

“I’ve just always enjoyed playing cricket and that’s why I’m here.”

And Mullally also has another huge ambition he wants to finally achieve during his time with Southend.

“I don’t care if I have to play until I’m 90, I want to score a hundred during my career,” said the former Hampshire and Leicestershire man.

“I never even got a hundred in my back garden as a kid but I did score a few 80s and I want to go one better than that with Southend.”