I am saddened. Loyalty is such a big word. I hope he will get his Testimonial.
He deserves it. I wish him every success. His last days here were not his
hilight
Ian

bob.sills@... wrote:
KEVIN Maher will today join Gillingham on loan until the end of the
season
from Southend United.

The move will end the midfielder's 10-year association with the Shrimpers
and comes after he recently dropped down the pecking order at Roots Hall.

The 31-year-old, who has also been captain at Blues for the past six
seasons, has not figured in Steve Tilson's first team since the 1-0 defeat
at home to Bristol Rovers on New Year's Day.

Since then Nicky Bailey has partnered Alan McCormack in the centre of the
park and Maher has struggled to even make the squad.

Teenager Franck Moussa has now also moved above the former Tottenham Hotspur
trainee in Tilson's plans and that has led to Maher's departure.

Swindon Town were also interested in securing his services but Maher will
plump for the Gills whose manager Mark Stimson is an ex-Roots Hall team-mate
of the midfielder.

The move will also see Maher link up with a quartet of other former Southend
players -Simon Royce, Garry Richards, Mark Bentley and Stuart Thurgood - and
means he will not go on to break the club's all time appearance record.

He currently stands third on the list having played 454 times for Blues but
seems unlikely to rise any higher and overtake second placed Sandy Anderson,
who made 483 appearances, or the leader Alan Moody (506).

Despite that Maher will forever be remembered with fondness at Roots Hall
after captaining the side during arguably their most successful ever period
as they secured back to back promotion to surge from League Two into the
Championship.

He was also skipper for the Shrimpers in two LDV Vans Trophy finals and for
their 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Carling Cup.

That helped Maher twice win the supporters' player of the year award and he
has deservedly been given a testimonial, which will still take place even
though he has left.

Maher is set to make his Gillingham debut away at Yeovil Town tomorrow night
and will be looking to help his new side stay in the league.

They are 20th in the table and are only above the relegation zone on goal
difference, although they do have two games in hand on three of the four
sides below them.

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I admit I am a Southend United addicted fan for life. But I am in therapy and
now also support Toronto FC in the M.L.S. Optomism runs very deep in the genes.
So take me for what I am. League One for this season.


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