It has been quite a season for Kevin Maher and Southend that culminated in their promotion on Saturday. Freddy Eastwood took his goals tally to 25 as the Shrimpers drew 2-2 at Swansea to secure back-to-back promotions. However, not only have Southend enjoyed two seasons of unmitigated success , but Maher has also been recognised by his contemporaries as well. The long-serving midfielder was selected in the PFA Divisional team of the year for the second consecutive campaign and, as he told givemefootball's Ian Clarkson, it is an experience he will cherish,
Q:WHAT DOES BEING SELECTED IN THE PFA TEAM OF THE YEAR MEAN TO YOU?
A:It is the most you can hope for. We came up a division and I was voted into it last year as well and what it means to be playing against player every week who then go and vote for you is a little bit humbling. You get in rows with people every week and argue with them and you respect them as fellow pros.
Q:EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE PROMOTED, YOU REALLY WANT TO WIN THE TITLE DON'T YOU?
A:It is fantastic to be in the Championship next season. We have slipped up in the last three games, but have finally made it over the finish line. We were promoted last season and we are doing well and that is all well and good. People are talking about going up, but we want to win the league. The position we are in then it is down to us. Personally you want to test yourself as high as you can go. When you come to these awards dinners you realise that you are only a small part of what goes on in football. You want to play as high as you can.
Q:WHAT HAS THE INFLUENCE OF STEVE TILSON BEEN LIKE?
A:Steve Tilson has been unbelievable since he took over and it has been one big upward spiral. He had a group of core players and both he and Paul Brush (assistant) have bought in players around the core players they had have improved it steadily. We have a great team spirit and we are not a massive club. We are a small club compared to a lot of the ones in League One and for us to be where we are now is all credit to him and his assistant. Hopefully we can continue next season.
Q:WILL YOU BE ABLE TO HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE CHAMPIONSHIP?
A:It would be difficult as the size of the squad we have now is small for League One. We know we have got to improve and we have got a lot of good players who are good on the ball and good footballers, but the squad isn’t massive. A lot of our players are capable of playing at a higher level as they proved this year with one or two additions, who knows what can happen?
Q:FREDDY EASTWOOD HAS SCORED GOALS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS NOW – HOW GOOD CAN HE BE?
A:Freddy has unbelievable potential and he has a lot going for him. What I would say is he is still only young and has a lot to learn, which is a good thing as to score the amount of goals he has and have scope to learn is good. His finishing off both feet is great and he is sharp around the box. One-on-one with defenders he is so hard to control. He's got a lot to learn and get involved more in the team game. All credit to him though.
Q:IS PROMOTION TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP PAYBACK FOR THE TIME SPENT IN LEAGUE TWO?
A:It is payback like you wouldn't believe! I have been there in the hard times and taken stick with the best of them. I have been voted in the PFA team of the year two years in succession gives me a lot of reasons to smile. If anyone wants to say anything now then the evidence is there.
