PHIL Brown enjoyed an eventful start at Southend United, even before his first game got underway.

Brown took charge of the Shrimpers for the first time back in March 2013 with his opening match coming at Bradford City.

But his preparations took an unexpected turn when Bilel Mohsni suddenly jumped off the team coach on the way to the ground.

“We were on the way to Bradford and Bilel just jumped off the team coach,” said Brown.

“I know Bradford quite well actually as I was at Halifax for three years as a player and knew where everything was.

“I knew there was a mosque at the end of the road but we stopped at a set of traffic lights and Bilel just jumped out.

“I always write out the team-sheet before we get to the ground.

“Bilel was on it but when I handed it in to the referee we still didn’t know where he was.

“I had to explain that I wasn’t sure if he was going to be here and we might have to use one of the subs.

“The ref was going to allow us to do it but Bilel turned up about 15 minutes before the game after he had been to pray.”

However, Brown now has a greater understanding of religion.

“Now I’ve been out to manage in India I’ve sampled what the muslim religion is about,” said the ex Blues boss.

“There are times you can pray and times you’re fasting and they are part and parcel of the coach’s nous out there.”

“But at the time it just summed Bilel up I think!”

Mohsni went on to make just two more appearances for the Shrimpers.

However, he certainly made his mark on Brown.

“At the end of training you bring everyone together to talk through tactics a bit but I was looking around and I couldn’t see Bilel anywhere,” recalled Brown.

“It turned out he was climbing up the trees to help the youth team players get the balls back that had gone astray.

“Things were different in Bilel’s life and lots of things were more important to him than football.”