DUNCAN Jupp wants a member of the current Southend United side to follow in his footsteps and become a play-off hero.

The former Blues right-back memorably ended a 10-year goal drought to score in the 2005 play-off final victory over Lincoln City at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

And he is now hoping someone from Paul Sturrock’s side can emulate his achievements.

“I’d love to see Southend get promotion again this season and I’m confident they can at least get through to the final,” said Jupp, 37.

“I know they’re heading into the second leg 1-0 down against Crewe but Blues seem to have enough firepower in their side to be able to turn that around, and I really hope they do it as well because the club still means a lot to me.”

Jupp made 117 appearances during a three-year spell at Roots Hall.

But he will forever be remembered for slotting home Blues’ second goal in their 2-0 victory against the Imps.

“It was a great day and something special for us all to be a part of,” said Jupp.

“The team spirit we had back then was just fantastic and we turned things around so quickly.

“The season before we had been fighting to stay up, so to go from that to getting to promotion was a real achievement.

“For me personally it was great to score, but I was probably more shocked than anyone else that it happened.

“I didn’t know what to do when the ball went in and I was half expecting the referee to tell me he was going to disallow it because it didn’t seem real.

“However, people often say that weird and wonderful things happen in the play-offs, and Freddy (Eastwood) passing the ball and me scoring was definitely an example of that.”

Eastwood, who was also on target for Blues in their play-off final win over Lincoln, is now back at Roots Hall.

And Jupp believes the striker can still make also make a difference to the modern day Southend side.

“I’m sure Freddy will play tonight and I think he can sway the game in his team’s favour,” said Jupp.

“I always thought he would one day go back to Southend, so I’m not surprised to see him playing there again.

“Freddy was amazing for us during his first spell at the club but found it hard when he left.

“That’s football sometimes and the thing is there are probably 20 or so players with the same kind of talent he has when you get up in to the Championship.”

Jupp hopes the striker will be on top form tomorrow night, but the former defender, who also played for Fulham and Wimbledon, is now enjoying a career outside of football working as a sports coach at Ardingly College in Sussex.

“It’s great fun and something I really enjoy,” said Jupp.

“I coach football, hockey and athletics, among other things, and I love it.

“Working in football set me up well for a career with children, but they’re often more mature than me, to be honest!”