FORMER Southend United manager Paul Sturrock is still frustrated he was denied the opportunity to take charge of the Shrimpers in the 2013 Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley.

Sturrock led Blues to the home of English football after seeing off Leyton Orient in the southern section final.

But he was replaced by Phil Brown just 13 days before the final against Crewe Alexandra and eventually agreed to step aside despite orginally being offered the opportunity to come back for Wembley. 

"My biggest disappointment was the JPT final," said Sturrock.

"It still gets to me a wee bit because I know I would’ve won that game.

"To be fair to Ron Martin he was quite happy for me to take training the week of the game and for Phil Brown to go on holiday,

"But Phil came round my house with the chief exec to talk about it all.

"I said I would think about it but there was no-way I could take it.

"It would’ve been the first time in footballing history something that like would’ve happened so I went to watch it with the fans instead.

"I think it would have been very unprofessional of me to take it but I was delighted Cocko (Graham Coughlan) led the team out because he worked very hard for me."

But Sturrock had already made up his mind he would be leaving Roots Hall at the end of that season before Martin opted to take action.

"I wasn’t going to sign a new contract and someone I had told that to went and told Ron," said Sturrock.

"He was wanting to put something else in place.

"There were a few times I was disappointed with Ron but no more than any other chairman.

"Ron was OK and was never a problem with me."