By Southend United FC

Head Coach Kevin Maher is set for his 600th game associated with Southend United away at Wealdstone tomorrow.

After playing more than 400 games for the Club in the 1990s and 2000s, Maher’s time as Head Coach will see him become just the second man to surpass 600 as player and manager, after Steve Tilson.

Speaking in the build-up to the trip to Grosvenor Vale, Maher said: “I obviously had a number of games as a player so it’s great to add to that as a manager and hopefully there’s many more to come and a lot of successful times ahead.”

He was asked to pick out any highlights from the many, many years he’s spent in south Essex. “As a player, you look at Swansea away when we got promoted and Bristol City at home. Beating Lincoln in the play-off final was huge as well.

“As manager, there are so many, but I think having the togetherness and everyone being on the same page is the proudest thing for me after everything we’ve been through. It’s been about getting the Club united again because if you do that, then you can achieve things.”

“My kids come to every game and I want success for this Club more than anyone. That’s my aim and I won’t stop until it happens.

“There’ll be ups and downs along the way, but the Club’s a huge part of my life and one that I’m determined to make a success of.”

On current matters, Maher was asked about the satisfying nature of Saturday’s victory against Solihull Moors. “It was really pleasing for the players to respond the way they did after the couple of tough games we had before. Any time you can score four goals away from home, you should be coming out on the right side of the result.

“Solihull’s been a good place for us to go in the last year or so, so pleased with everyone involved. We put that to bed now and focus on the next one.

“I’m pleased with [Bim and Keenan] to get off the mark. What part it plays going forward is down to them and the players who are picked. Tomorrow’s a completely different game but we go into it with the same attitude that we did on Saturday.”

After being on the road twice in four days, we’re on our travels again on Tuesday. Maher added: “That’s the concern. The response Saturday was good having travelled during the week, but training becomes minimal and we’ve just got to be ready for the games. The players are in a good mood after Saturday, but we’ve got to be focused.”

The Shrimpers are yet to back up a win with another three points this season. “Everyone in the league would say that it's important to do that, we’re no different,” said Maher.

“You always want to follow up a good performance and a good result with another one, and it’s always been tough every time we’ve gone to Wealdstone. Watching their game at the weekend [3-0 defeat to Barnet], they were right in it until the goals went in, so it’ll be tough.”

Find ticket details for Tuesday evening’s game here.