FOURTEEN years to the day after Freddy Eastwood first burst onto the scene at Southend United, his son - with the same name - is now also starting to shine for the Shrimpers.

Eastwood senior scored a memorable hat-trick on his first team debut back in 2004 to help Blues beat Swansea City 4-2 at Roots Hall before going on to fire Steve Tilson’s side to successive promotions.

But Eastwood junior, who is 16, has now started to catch the eye in the Shrimpers’ youth team.

The youngster has netted six goals in his last four games.

However, Blues’ academy manager Ricky Duncan insists Eastwood is keen to carve out his own identity with the club.

“I do feel a bit sorry for Freddy because he’s said he wants to be judged himself and not compared to his dad all the time,” said Duncan.

“They’re two different types of players and personalities but I’ve told him he’s going to have to live with it because it’s part of the game.

“He has to take great pride in what his dad did and how well liked he is here.

“He will have to accept that will follow him but he just has to keep on doing what he does and then people will recognise him for him.

“And I also told him I wouldn’t be too upset about people wanting to talk to you about your dad because he was great for this football club.”

Eastwood senior bagged 49 goals in his first two seasons with the Shrimpers before also netting the only goal of the game in a memorable League Cup win against a Manchester United team containing Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The former striker then had spells with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Coventry City before returning to Roots Hall to finish his career.

Eastwood ended up netting 77 goals in 210 games for Blues but his son lines up in a completely different position.

“We play him wide and he comes in off the line,” said Duncan.

“He likes to finish and provide goals for others too.

“He’s different to his dad because he was an out and out goalscorer whereas Freddy has a bit more to his game than that.

“He likes to find a pass and has more to his game but that does mean he won’t be a prolific goalscorer because he tries to create for others and drop deep too.”

“That’s good to see and we’re pleased with how he’s doing but he has to keep doing it and keep on working hard.”