THERE never seems to have been a dull moment during Kevin Maher's decade with Southend United.

The midfielder, who stands third in the club's all time appearance list, endured a tough time at the start of his spell with the Shrimpers and at one point seemed destined to leave Roots Hall.

But he battled superbly to become captain of a side which secured two successive promotions to earn a place in the Championship and the club's history books.

"The 10 years have gone quite fast," Maher told the Echo. "At times it seems to have gone quite slowly when we've been struggling a bit, but overall I've had a great time and enjoyed some fantastic moments with the football club."

It was not always that way for Maher though. The now 31-year-old was signed by Alvin Martin from Tottenham Hotspur in late January 1998 and was unable to stop the Seasiders - who were then playing in what is now League One - suffering relegation, despite some impressive individual performances in unfamiliar surroundings.

"Coming in from Tottenham it was a bit of a culture shock but I always enjoyed playing for Alvin," recalled Maher.

"He took a chance of me and I was grateful for that. We did well when I first came in and there were some really good games. I remember playing Watford and Fulham and beating Bournemouth 5-3 when it was 0-0 at half-time.

"They stick out but we ended up going down and it was a real disappointment.

"I was enjoying being involved in first team footballing having been stuck in the reserves at Spurs but Alvin went the following year and it was a shame that it never worked out for him here."

Southend's struggles continued in the basement division and that led to former York City manager Alan Little taking over in April 1999. He stopped the Shrimpers suffering another relegation but tough times still lay ahead for Maher.

The midfielder found himself out of favour with both the club's manager and fans and at one stage seemed destined to depart Roots Hall.

"It was a really hard time for me," said Maher. "I got put on the transfer list and I got a lot of stick around that time. I seemed to bare the brunt of a lot of people's frustrations and I wasn't used to it because at Tottenham you're probably a little bit overprotected.

"In the end I didn't really want my friends or family coming to the games and it was hard to take but I just kept my head down and worked hard.

"Rob Newman was there at the time and he was also brilliant to go and talk to. He helped me a lot and in the end I managed to turn things around. Fair play to Alan he put me back in eventually and I didn't really look back after that."

But Little lasted just a year in the Shrimpers hot-seat before being replaced by David Webb in October 2000.

He brought in a whole host of new signings but also brought out the best in Maher who completed a remarkable recovery by being voted player of the season for the 2000/01 campaign by the same supporters who used to boo him.

"That was great and I really enjoyed playing for Webby," said Maher. "He was very straight forward but you knew what to expect from him. I think I played some of the best football of my career with him in charge and you knew what was expected of you.

"The Canvey game stands out from around that time because they were flying in non-league and had a really good team. Roots Hall was packed and it was the first time I realised just how good the atmosphere could be inside the ground.

"It was the FA Cup match as well which made it extra special, plus we won 2-1 so it was a great day and certainly one I'll always remember."

But more joy was to follow for Maher when he was named captain in 2002 by Newman who was by now the manager after Webb's departure.

"It was a real honour," he said.

"I really wanted Rob to do well after everything he did for me but unfortunately it wasn't to be which was a real shame."

And it was the same story his replacement Steve Wignall, who arrived in April 2003.

"Things didn't work out for him either but it certainly wasn't for the lack of trying," said Maher.

"Sometimes things just don't go your way and that's what happened with Steve. He made some good signings though and some of them are still at the club today."

So is Maher who led the side through a remarkable spell under manager Steve Tilson which saw the Shrimpers rise up from the bottom of League Two in the Championship.

"Tilly obviously has an affiliation with the club and when he and Brushy came in we just took off straight away," said Maher.

"It was unbelievable and a real rollercoaster ride for everyone.

"We had two promotions and two LDV Vans Trophy finals and to get up into the Championship in such a short space of time was fantastic"

Blues lasted just one season at that level but Maher was again voted player of the season. And he remains proud of the achievement.

"Winning League One to go up into the Championship with the small squad we had was just unbelievable," said Maher.

"The togetherness we had was the key and that's what made us such a special side. It was brilliant and if I had to pick my favourite moment from my whole 10 years then it would be walking out at Roots Hall to pick up the trophy after beating Bristol City."

Maher's loyalty will be deservedly be rewarded with a testimonial and he hopes it can be the first ever match at the club's proposed new stadium at Fossetts Farm.

"It's great the club have given me this and it's something I'm certainly looking forward to," he said.

"A new stadium would really take the club forward and is massive for our future so to get the first game there would be something I would be very proud of.

"Hopefully that can happen and it can be another high point from my time with Southend which I've thoroughly enjoyed."