KEVIN Maher has thanked Southend United for launching his coaching career.

Maher has now opted to become first team coach at Bristol Rovers.

But he will always be grateful for the opportunity he was given at the Shrimpers.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the club for the opportunity they gave me and it’s been a great base for my coaching career,” said Maher.

“A lot of hard and very good work goes on in the academy at Southend and you can see that with the players who have come through into the first team and are still coming through.

“I would like to think I played a part in that happening, along with the other coaches in the academy and we also won a couple of cups as well which was nice.”

And, despite having left Roots Hall, Maher is still keen to see the Shrimpers succeed.

“I wish everyone at the club all the best and I really hope that both Southend and Bristol Rovers enjoy successful seasons,” said Maher.

“It will be a bit strange coming back to Roots Hall in the opposition dugout but my priorities are obviously with Bristol Rovers and winning games for them now.

“This is an exciting opportunity for me and I couldn’t really turn down the chance to coach in a first team environment.”

Maher had been coaching at the Shrimpers since returning to Roots Hall in October 2015.