SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown will be rolling back the years when he faces his former Bolton Wanderers side at Roots Hall this weekend.

Brown spent a combined total of 15 years with the Trotters as player, coach and assistant manager.

But the 57-year-old’s lengthy association with Bolton began when making his debut against Southend back in 1988.

“It’s a big game this weekend and one that will bring back a lot of memories for me,” said Brown.

“I want that winning feeling against my former team and my spell with them actually started with a game against Southend at Roots Hall.

“It was nearly 30 years ago now which is a frightening thought and I still remember my debut really well.

“I don’t advocate it at all but I recall the two sets of fans were scrapping that day and thinking blimey this is a fair old club.

“But Southend won 2-0 that day and now I’m on the other side of the fence hopefully it can be a similar result on Saturday because it’s an important match.”

Seventh placed Blues head into the game with just one defeat in their last 14 outings.

However, Brown is expecting a tricky test against a Bolton side who were are currently third in the table and were only narrowly beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace in Tuesday night’s FA Cup third round replay.

“I went to watch Bolton at Palace and they gave a Premier League team the fright of their lives that night,” said Brown.

“In the end, Sam (Allardyce) had to bring on millions of pounds worth of international talent to win the game, but it was a very close contest.

“From our point of view I was disappointed it didn’t go to extra time because that would’ve tired them out a bit more.

“But Bolton are a team with a good structure and quality and they’re right up there towards the top of the table for a reason.

“It’s a challenge we’re looking forward to though.

“Training has been good and we’re going into it off the back of a great win against Rochdale.”

More than 7,000 tickets have been sold for Blues’ third home game in succession.