KEVIN Maher is still relishing his role helping youngsters others to shine at Southend United.

Maher, who made more than 450 appearances for the Shrimpers during his own playing career, is now in charge of the club’s under 23 team.

And the ex Blues skipper is thoroughly enjoying helping to bring through another promising batch of youngsters.

“It’s brilliant,” said Maher.

“For me, working in an academy is the best place to learn.

“You put on sessions and you have to deal and talk to players too.

“Within your sessions you have to coach and that obviously makes you a much better.

“You have to plan all the sessions and it’s a good process to go through.”

A number of promising players have broken through into the Shrimpers’ first team this season with Nathan Bishop, Charlie Kelman, Isaac Hutchinson and Michael Klass among the most recent to shine at Roots Hall.

And Maher believes the future looks bright for Blues.

“We’ve got players coming through and the academy is working brilliantly when you see what we’re producing and what’s around the first team,” said Maher.

“But we sell players as well as producing them.

“Some clubs just sell them and that’s their success story but we do both.”

However, Maher remains determined to help others make the step up into the first team, due to his own affinity with the Shrimpers.

“The club means a lot to me and it will always be my club now,” said Maher, who was with Blues between 1998 and 2008.

“It means you want things done the right way.

“There’s real affinity with the place and hopefully that helps.

“I know what the club is and how it works.

“I know what you have to do to do well and I try and get that across to our young players.

“I tell them how hard they have to work and that every minute matters because talent alone often isn’t enough.”

But Maher also has his own aspirations to step up.

And the 42-year-old has long term ambitions to one day become a manager himself.

“I’d love to be a manager one day,” confirmed Maher.

“I have aspirations to do that.

“I’ve started my pro licence and that’s my last badge left to do.

“But I’m learning my trade and most continue to do that because I want to be ready for it.

“It’s a short career and you have to be ready to make an impact straight away.

“I’m learning all the time and would love to give it a go one day.”

>The full interview with Southend United legend Kevin Maher can be heard on this week’s ‘Have I Got Blues For You’ podcast.

The podcast, which is sponsored by MSPFX and SP Financial Management, is available now to listen to on iTunes.