SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown believes the arrival of the former London Soccerdome at the club’s training ground will be a significant boost for the Shrimpers.

Brown is not yet sure when the dome, which has cost an initial £500,000, will be built at Blues’ Boots & Laces base.

But he cannot wait to put it to good use.

“I think it’s fantastic news for the football club that we’ve been able to purchase the Soccerdome,” said Brown.

“Graham Coughlan (first team coach) went to the venue with Southend when Paul Sturrock was manager a few years ago and he’s been speaking really highly about it all.

“I’ve spoken to a few other managers and coaches in the game and they’ve all said it’s fantastic so I think it’s a very exciting development for the football club.

“I’m not sure when it’s going up but when it does it’s going to brilliant and it will be a huge boost for us.”

The dome, which has been dismantled since leaving its Greenwich base, is due to arrive at the Shrimpers training ground within the next 48 hours.

And Brown is looking forward to it being put together.

“It will be like a giant game of Meccano,” laughed Brown.

“It could initially cause a few problems in terms of how we’re going to store it all but once it’s up it will be a real signal of intent.

“It will show the football club is moving in the right direction and will enable us to train even when the weather is bad which can often be quite difficult at the moment.

“It will certainly help with our preparations and it will also be a significant boost for the youth section at the football club which is already of a very high standard.

“It’s important to bring through and own players and the dome will certainly help with that.”