SOUTHEND Saxons legend Chris Vaughan is ready for his own fairytale ending at Twickenham tomorrow.
The 34-year-old will be hanging up his boots after this weekend’s Papa Johns National Trophy final against Northampton Old Scouts.
And Vaughan, who has been playing for Southend for 17 years, believes there is no better venue to end at.
“It’s mad really and a real fairytale ending,” said Vaughan.
“You couldn’t really make it up.
“Winning the league and then getting to Twickenham, it’s mad but I can’t wait for the weekend.”
Vaughan does have previous experience of lining up at the world famous home of English rugby.
But tomorrow’s clash will be the first time he will be playing on the full pitch.
“I’ve played three times,” said Vaughan.
“Twice when I was about 10 or 11 with Westcliff and I played there with Seevic too.
“That was on a quarter of the pitch though so this will be the first time on a full pitch and I can’t wait.”
But the match will be the end of an era for Vaughan who has decided to bring his long career to an end.
“I’ve been thinking about it for two or three years,” said Vaughan.
“With how well we’re doing this season I just thought it would be good to go out while we’re on top.
“I’ve played for 17 years now.
“It’s a long time and there have been a lot of ups and downs.
“This year it’s been the best togetherness in a squad we’ve had for a long time.”
And Vaughan is happy to have brought good times back to Southend.
“At one point we were quite low but it’s been building up and there’s a great atmosphere around the place again,” said Vaughan.
“I will miss it though and I don’t know what I’ll do with my Saturday now”
“There’s nothing quite like the buzz you get with the lads.”
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