SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher will be presented with the freedom of the city this week.

Maher will be given the honour during a ceremony at the Southend Civic Centre on Thursday which starts at 5.30pm.

Maher made 454 appearances during 10 years as a player for the Shrimpers during which time he skippered the team to back to back promotions and victory against Manchester United in the League Cup.

The 47-year-old also spent time as the club's under 23 manager before returning to Roots Hall as head coach in October 2021.

Since then, Maher has guided the club through the toughest times in their history and helped keep performance levels high despite extreme off field issues which almost saw the Shrimpers wound up.

Maher's role in that happening will now see him become just the third person to be given the freedom of the city of Southend on Sea.

MP Sir David Amess, who campaigned for Southend to become a city, was posthumously made the first freeman of the city in February 2022.

David Stanley, the founder of the Music Man Project, was also given the honour in July 2023.

Fans are able to attend the ceremony for Maher this week with viewing available from the public gallery.

However capacity is limited to around 100 people.