DALE Brooks is thrilled to back at Southend United as the club’s first ever under 21 manager.

The 51-year-old will work closely alongside first team boss Phil Brown and youth team chief Ricky Duncan to help Blues’ young players blossom.

And Brooks is delighted to be back at Roots Hall.

“I’m really pleased to be back,” said Brooks who was last with the Shrimpers in 2012.

“It’s an exciting time and this is officially the first development squad the club has ever had so it’s good to be a part of that.

“There’s obviously going to be a transitional period but it’s good to be here and it’s a positive environment too after the success the first team had last season.”

Brooks will now be hoping to help Blues build on their promotion from League Two.

And the former Falkirk, Norwich City and Cambridge United coach will work tirelessly to help increase the number of young players working their way through to the first team.

“My role here is to try and help the under 21 team develop and try to get them into the first team squad,” said Brooks.

“But it’s not something I can do on my own.

“It’s a collective objective and I will be in close contact with the manager and senior staff to help that happen.”

Brooks fought off stiff competition to land the newly created post with the Shrimpers.

And he already had a head-start on the other candidates having previously worked with a number of Blues’ young players during his first stint at Roots Hall.

“There are only a couple of the players I don’t know so it’s good to catch up with everyone and track their development,” said Brooks.

“It’s an exciting time and I’m already enjoying it here again.

“Knowing the club and some of the people here has helped that happen and I just saw this as an excellent opportunity.”