BLUES legend Kevin Maher has returned to Southend to head up the Soccer Hub’s successful coaching programme with local youngsters.

Maher, who is Southend United’s most successful ever captain, will run coaching sessions at the playfootball.net centre in Prittlewell every Wednesday evening.

And Maher is delighted to be on board.

“I’m really pleased to have teamed up with the Soccer Hub and I can’t wait to start coaching the youngsters that come down for the training sessions, “said Maher who made 454 appearances during a 10 year spell with the Shrimpers.

“Coaching is something I’m really focused on at the moment and I’m really enjoying working with the first team at Chelmsford City.

“But I’m doing my UEFA A licence at the moment and also wanted to start working with youngsters.

“This is a really good opportunity for me, there’s a great set up here and it’s nice to be back in Southend which is a special place for me.”

Maher skippered Blues to two successive promotions as well as victory against Manchester United in the League Cup.

The former Tottenham Hotspur was twice voted player of the year at the club and the Soccer Hub’s commercial director Dave Marrable is thrilled to have teamed up with Maher.

“Kev’s experience is great and he’s obviously a huge name locally,” said Marrable.

“Most of the kids still know him and if they don’t then the dads definitely do.

“He wanted to get in to some youth coaching and the time was right for him to come on board so we’re really pleased.”

Soccer Hub has been running for the last five years and was originally started with Billy Wingrove, one of the world’s best football freestylers.

But his career has now taken off so much that he can no longer be involved with the coaching sessions on such a regular basis.

“Billy’s flying all over the world and he’s got so much on he’s had to take a back seat,” said Marrable.

“He worked with Diego Costa last week and Billy’s now become an ambassador for us.

“That’s when we approached Kev because we wanted a former professional to help us with the coaching sessions.

“He will now head up our elite programme which is for young players already at clubs, every Wednesday evening.”

The hour long sessions are open for youngsters aged between five and 13 and kick off at 5pm.

Both this week and next open evenings will be taking place and any budding footballers are welcome to attend.

After that, anyone’s first coaching session will be free of charge and specialist goalkeeping training is also available as part of the 1GK goalkeeping brand, which is also owned by the Soccer Hub.

“We do special goalkeeping days and coaching sessions too,” said Marrable.

“On Wednesday evenings at playfootball we have goalkeeping coaching going on.

“Between 5pm and 6pm it’s for those under 10 and after 6pm it’s for those over 10.

“It’s headed up by Paul Horwood and it’s really popular too.

“Most keepers with a Sunday team just got shots fired at them in training and there’s not much specific training and coaching going on.

“We get a lot of kids coming in and they really enjoy it.

“We also hold soccer schools every half-term and they’re all about having fun.

“There are some great players and there are some who have never played football before but we sure make everyone has a good time.”

For more details visit www.thesoccerhub.co.uk or call the Soccer Hub on 01702 712345