SOUTHEND United’s new goalkeeper Mark Oxley is keen to repay Phil Brown’s faith in him - eight years after the pair first linked up.

Brown signed the shot-stopper for £150,000 when in charge of Hull City.

And Oxley is now determined to show the Shrimpers chief was right to back him.

“The manager has signed me twice now and I’m keen to repay him for that faith he has shown in me,” said Oxley.

“When I went to Hull I was a young boy and had a tough time with injuries.

“It was a bit hit and miss and I got injury setbacks after coming back from good loan spells so it never really worked out the way I would have wanted.

“But I’m really happy to link up with the manager again and knowing him was a big part in me wanting to come to Southend.”

Oxley had spells on loan at Walsall, Grimsby Town, Burton Albion and Oldham Athletic during his seven-year stint with Hull before he left to join Hibernian, initially on a temporary basis in 2014.

But, the following year, Oxley joined the Scottish side on a permanent basis and was quick to defend the level he had been playing at.

“People can be critical towards the Scottish Championship but it’s a good league,” said Oxley.

“We had games against Rangers with 50,000 fans there and also won the Scottish Cup, which was fantastic.

“Hibs are now in the Europa League as well so it shows the club are moving forward.

“It’s certainly not a Mickey Mouse level I’ve been playing at and I’m leaving there with a lot of good memories.”

That also includes Oxley scoring a goal on his league debut against Livingston in August 2014 when his long clearance deceived Darren Jamieson in the opposition goal.

“It was just one of those strange things that can happen every now and then in football,” said Oxley, who is originally from Sheffield.

“It’s something nice to have done but I’m not sure it will ever happen again if I’m honest!”

Oxley will now be far more focused on keeping goals out rather than scoring them.

And he is looking forward to appearing for the Shrimpers for the first time when they visit Braintree Town on Saturday.

“It will be good to play the first game with the lads here,” said Oxley. “I went to the Canvey game on Tuesday night to watch but the deal had only just been completed just before that so I wasn’t involved.

“I have already played a couple of pre-season game with Hibs because they went back in a bit earlier, so I feel in good shape.

“But now I just want to get back out there.”

Oxley will be battling for a starting slot with Ted Smith but is keen to help the Shrimpers enjoy a successful season.

“I know this is a tough league but Burton showed what can be achieved last year and I want to help us do well,” he added.