Maher To Be Handed The Freedom Of The City Of Southend

It was announced at the end of 2023 that the Shrimpers Head Coach had been awarded the status after helping guide the club through a challenging few years.

This evening, he will be presented with the honour - a true Southend United hero in the eyes of fans after he brilliantly navigated a rocky and worrying period at Roots Hall.

MP Anna Firth has outlined exactly why she put Maher forward and says this historical recognition of his achievements is absolutely deserved.

Speaking to the Southend Echo, she said: “'Kevin is an absolute inspiration to us all and I am truly delighted I'll be there tomorrow evening, celebrating his many years of exceptional service to our City, and to our beloved football club.

“Although I had the honour to nominate Kevin, the idea came not from me, but from the many fans he has inspired.

“At games, very often fans come up to me and ask me questions, occasionally about Westminster, but much more normally about the football club.

“However, the same question kept coming up time and time again - ‘is there not something we can do to celebrate Kevin, and show him what he means to us as fans?’

“There can be no question what an indelible mark Kevin has left on the lives of all Southend United fans, and by extension, on the City itself.”