SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is keen to introduce three year apprenticeships for the Shrimpers’ young players.

Blues and most other Football League clubs currently offer their teenage scholars a two year contract.

But Brown does not feel that is long enough to judge whether or not players will be able to work their way in to the first team.

“We’re at the stage now where we are looking at deciding the futures of the young players at the football club and I’m hoping we can keep most of them on an extra year’s apprenticeship,” said Brown.

“Between the ages and 16 and 18 you’re going from being a boy to a man and I’m not sure that’s enough time to really carve out a career for yourself.

“When I was an electrician for example, it was a four year apprenticeship and I think football needs to learn from that.

“There’s obviously costs to consider but if this means us flying the flag for longer apprenticeships then so be it.”

Offering extended apprentice contracts would also help Blues edge even closer to category two status in their youth set-up.

It could also lead to the formation of an under 21 team and Brown believes it would also stop Southend letting players leave too early, which he insisted was nearly the case with Jack Payne.

“When I first came to the club Jack was injured and I couldn’t really give him a new contract straight away because of that,” said Brown.

“He came back in for pre-season and proved his was worthy of a deal but we could easily have missed out on him.

“He was a late developer and so too were the likes of Jason Williams and Jack Bridge which proves my point about having three year apprenticeships in place.”

Brown opted to use yesterday’s development game at Oxford United for first team coach Graham Coughlan to take a look at club’s youngsters.

And striker Lee Barnard was the only senior player in action as the Shrimpers sunk to a 2-0 defeat.