KENNY Coker became the third youngest player in Southend United’s history on Saturday - but only after getting his headteacher’s permission to play.
The 16-year-old striker replaced Isaac Hutchinson during the latter stages of the Shrimpers’ 2-1 win against Lincoln City at Roots Hall. But the teenager was only allowed to step onto the pitch after Matthew Harper, the headteacher of Wickford’s Beauchamps High School, agreed to let him play.
“Kenny is still in Year 11 so we had to get a letter from his headteacher and his parents as well before he was allowed to play,” confirmed Blues’ academy manager Ricky Duncan.
“We had to get all of that sorted on Friday before he was allowed to be registered but it was great to see him get on.”
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