THERE is a long list of plaudits when it comes to Southend United’s improvements on the pitch this season.

But one man whose impact may not be known is former Eastleigh boss Ben Strevens.

For not only did Strevens tell the Shrimpers managerial team that star midfielder Cav Miley would be a good signing in the summer but he also advised the man himself to head to Roots Hall.

“Being honest they reached out to me about Cav and said they always liked him,” said Strevens.

“They had put a little Asterix next to him I think as he’d shown them good signs but I’m not sure if he was right at the forefront of their thinking.

“I said to trust in what I’ve seen of him and the person I know.

“I knew what they could bring out of him and that they would do well.”

And that belief came from Strevens having got to know several of Blues’ managerial team from his own playing days.

“I know Kev Maher from playing with him at Dagenham and I know Darren Currie really well from playing with him at Barnet when I was young,” said Strevens.

“He looked after me back then and John Still was my manager at Barnet and Dagenham as well.

“I’ve always had a good relationship with him too.”

But it was not just Blues who were keen on Miley back in the summer.

“There was interest in from other National League clubs but I spoke to Cav as well,” said Strevens.

“I was his manager at Eastleigh but I wasn’t working for a club in the summer and had a good relationship with him so we spoke about things.

“He was a bit surprised he was being allowed to leave Eastleigh but understood they were trying to go in a different direction with a new management team who had new ideas and wanted fresh blood in the squad.

“He had two or three teams in for him and he reached out for people’s opinions.

“I was one of those people and was obviously very biased because I know John, Darren and Kevin so I said he would do well under them because they’re good people and would get the best out of him.

“But he had to make his own decision and he’s old enough to do that now “It looks like he’s made the right one and he’s going from strength to strength.

“I messaged him when I saw he was captain and that’s a real big step as well.

“To see those leadership qualities coming out in him is great .”

Miley, who has been an ever present for Blues this season, had been playing in Jersey before coming to Eastleigh back in 2017.

And Strevens still remembers the midfielder first arriving with the Spitfires.

“I was part of the coaching set up but still playing as well,” said Strevens.

“Cav came across as a lovely lad and a good footballer who was still really young and quite raw then.

“You could see he had talent and that he was a good player as soon as he came across.”

And it did not take long for Miley to show he was ready to play regularly.

“I remember we played Ebbsfleet for his debut,” said Strevens.

“He played really well and I think that was the moment we all knew he was ready to be in and around the starting 11.

“The last two or three years he was a regular and a mainstay of the team.”

But, after making 187 appearances for Eastleigh, Miley was let go at the end of last season.

And he is now playing a key part in a Blues side who are being impressively managed by Maher this term.

“They’re brilliant football people at Southend,” said Strevens.

“That connection they’ve got with the fans and the bond there looks the best it has been in a number of years.

“It’s good to see because they’re good people and I want success for them.”

Blues are currently seventh in the table, three points behind fourth placed Barnet who they host at Roots Hall on Friday night.

And, having spent seven years playing for the Bees in his own career, Strevens is keeping a close eye on both sides.

But he is pleasantly surprised to see Barnet doing so well.

“At the start of the season if you had told me Southend would be in the play-offs at this stage I would’ve said I could see that happening but Barnet have been a surprise to me,” said Strevens.

“All credit to them and Dean Brennan has turned it around there with a connection with the fans a well.

“Harry Pritchard played for me at Eastleigh as well and he’s a danger so it’s got the makings of a good game.

“But the connections I have with the guys at Southend and with my links to Barnet I hope they both make the play-offs.”

Nowadays however, Strevens is helping bring more young players through with Luton Town.

But he has not ruled out making a return to management.

“If it comes then it would be amazing but I’m working in Luton’s academy now,” said Strevens.

“It’s something completely different to a first team environment and I'm enjoying it in a different way.

“ It’s obviously less pressure but if the right opportunity comes up and I feel like I could do a good job there then I would certainly look at it.

“I’m happy where I am at the moment but you can never say never.”

Get more great stories by Chris Phillips delivered to your inbox every day by signing up to our regular newsletter here