Kevin Maher

For other uses, see Kevin Maher (disambiguation).

Kevin Maher

Personal information
Full name	Kevin Andrew Maher [1]
Date of birth	(1976-10-17) 17 October 1976 (age 48) [1]
Place of birth	Ilford, England
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) [1]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Southend United (head coach)
Youth career
000?–1995	Tottenham Hotspur
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1995–1998	Tottenham Hotspur	0	(0)
1998–2008	Southend United	383	(22)
2008	→ Gillingham (loan)	7	(0)
2008–2009	Oldham Athletic	31	(1)
2009–2011	Gillingham	62	(0)
2011–2013	Dagenham & Redbridge	16	(0)
2013	Bray Wanderers	6	(0)
2013–2014	Whitehawk	11	(0)
2015	Chelmsford City	0	(0)
Total		517	(23)
International career
1993	Republic of Ireland U17	1	(0)
1997	Republic of Ireland U21	4	(0)
Managerial career
2015–2019	Southend United (youth)
2016	Chelmsford City (interim)
2019	Bristol Rovers (caretaker)
2020	Bristol Rovers (caretaker)
2021–	Southend United
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kevin Andrew Maher (born 17 October 1976) is a former professional footballer and coach who played as a midfielder. He is head coach of National League side Southend United. Born in England, he represented the Republic of Ireland internationally at youth levels U17 and U21.

Club career

Southend United

After beginning his career with Tottenham Hotspur, ^[2] Maher moved to Southend United on a free transfer on 23 January 1998. He quickly broke into the first team, making 18 appearances for the first-team that season. During the 1998–99 season, Maher scored his first career goal in a 1–1 draw with Rochdale. ^[3]

Over the next ten years Maher was a virtual ever-present for Southend, rising to be team captain and subsequently club captain. During this time he made more than 400 appearances for the club, and captained Southend to promotion twice, from League Two to the Championship, in successive seasons.

When, during the 2007–08 season it became clear that Maher was no longer an automatic first choice he chose to look for opportunities elsewhere. He left Southend just before he would have become entitled to a testimonial, to join fellow League One side, Gillingham, on loan for the remainder of the season. ^[4] In his two months with the Kent club, he made seven total appearances but did not score a goal.

Oldham Athletic

In the summer of 2008, Maher joined Oldham Athletic after he was released by Southend, ^[2] despite the confidence from Gillingham that he would sign with their club. ^[5] He immediately signed a one-year contract with the club. ^[2] On 9 August, he made his debut for Oldham in a 4–3 comeback victory versus Millwall. ^[6] He later scored his first goal for Oldham on 14 March 2009 versus Milton Keynes Dons. In the 4th minute, he scored from a free kick to give Oldham a 1–0 lead, though the team lost the game 6–2. ^[7] On 13 May, under new manager Dave Penney, Maher's contract was not renewed, resulting in his release from the club. ^[8]

Gillingham

In June 2009, he joined Gillingham on a two-year deal. ^[9]

Dagenham & Redbridge

In August 2011 Maher signed for Dagenham & Redbridge. ^[10] On 7 May 2013, he was released by the Daggers due to the expiry of his contract. ^[11]

International career

Born in England, Maher was eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland national team, and made four appearances for the Republic of Ireland U21 national team.

Coaching career

In June 2014 Maher was appointed head coach of Chelmsford City. ^[12] On 14 February 2015, Maher was an unused substitute in the Clarets' 2–0 defeat to Maidenhead United. ^[13]

In October 2015 Maher returned to Southend in a coaching capacity, assisting the under 21 and youth teams at the club and at the end of November 2015, he was appointed U21 manager of the club. ^[14] On 20 January 2016, Maher was named as Chelmsford City's caretaker manager after previous manager Mark Hawkes left the club, ^[15] On 26 February 2016, Maher was appointed Chelmsford City manager until the end of the season, ^[16] before being replaced by Rod Stringer during the summer break.

Bristol Rovers

In July 2019, Maher left his position at Southend and joined Bristol Rovers as a first team coach. ^[17] Following the departure of manager Graham Coughlan, followed by caretaker manager Joe Dunne, Maher was placed in temporary charge of Bristol Rovers, ^[18] overseeing a 0–0 draw with Peterborough United before Ben Garner was appointed as permanent manager. ^[19] In January 2020, Maher was again placed in charge of the first-team after manager Garner was granted a period of extended leave for personal reasons. ^[20]

Southend United

On 20 October 2021, Maher returned to Southend United, now in the National League, in the role of head coach, replacing Phil Brown. Darren Currie joined him as his assistant and former Southend teammate Mark Bentley joined as first team coach. ^[21] His opening match as manager ended in disappointment as he saw his side fall to a 3–0 defeat at fifth-placed Dagenham & Redbridge as the hosts scored three goals in six minutes. ^[22] Maher got a first win in his third game for the club when his side beat bottom side Dover Athletic 4–1 to move out of the relegation zone. ^[23]

Despite ongoing difficulties off the field, Maher ensured that his side maintained their impressive form. Following five wins from six matches, he was awarded the National League Manager of the Month award for February 2023 with Southend sitting in the play-off positions. ^[24]

In late October 2023, Maher was linked with the vacant managerial position at Gillingham, but Southend denied the League Two club permission to approach him. ^[25] Also in October 2023, Maher won a second Manager of the Month award, having accrued 13 points from five matches, conceding just one goal. ^[26] In December 2023, Maher signed a new "long-term" contract at Southend. ^[27]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Southend United	1997–98 [28]	Second Division	18	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	1
	1998–99 [29]	Third Division	34	4	1	0	4	0	1 [a]	1	40	5
	1999–2000 [30]	Third Division	24	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	25	0
	2000–01 [31]	Third Division	41	2	4	0	2	0	6 [a]	0	53	2
	2001–02 [32]	Third Division	36	5	4	0	1	0	1 [a]	0	42	5
	2002–03 [33]	Third Division	42	2	4	0	1	0	0	0	47	2
	2003–04 [34]	Third Division	42	1	5	0	1	1	7 [a]	0	55	2
	2004–05 [35]	League Two	42	1	1	0	1	0	10 [b]	0	54	1
	2005–06 [36]	League One	44	1	2	0	1	0	1 [a]	0	48	1
	2006–07 [37]	Championship	41	5	3	1	5	0	—		49	6
	2007–08 [38]	League One	19	0	3	0	1	0	0	0	23	0
	Total		383	22	27	1	18	1	26	1	454	25
Gillingham (loan)	2007–08 [38]	League One	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Oldham Athletic	2008–09 [39]	League One	28	1	2	0	1	0	1 [a]	0	32	1
Gillingham	2009–10 [40]	League One	26	0	2	0	2	0	1 [a]	0	31	0
	2010–11 [41]	League Two	36	0	0	0	1	0	1 [a]	0	38	0
	Total		62	0	2	0	3	0	2	1	69	0
Dagenham & Redbridge	2011–12 [42]	League Two	8	0	1	0	0	0	1 [a]	0	10	0
	2012–13 [43]	League Two	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
	Total		16	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	18	0
Bray Wanderers	2013 [44]	LOI Premier Division	6	0	0	0	—		2 [c]	0	8	0
Whitehawk	2013–14 [45]	Conference South	11	0	0	0	—		0	0	11	0
Career totals			513	23	32	1	22	1	32	1	599	26

1. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
2. Seven appearances in Football League Trophy, three appearances in Football League Two play-offs
3. Appearances in League of Ireland Premier Division play-offs

Managerial statistics

As of match played 15 February 2025

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	From	To	Record
			P	W	D	L	Win %
Bristol Rovers (caretaker)	21 December 2019	23 December 2019	1	0	1	0	000.0
Southend United	20 October 2021	Present	171	72	40	59	042.1
Total			172	72	41	59	041.9

Honours

As a player

Southend United ^[46]

• Football League One: 2005–06
• Football League Two play-offs: 2005
• Football League Trophy runner-up: 2003–04, ^[47] 2004–05 ^[48]

Individual

• Southend United Player of the Season: 2000–01, ^[49] 2006–07 ^[50]
• PFA Team of the Year: 2005–06 League One, 2004–05 League Two ^{[51] [52]}

As a manager

Individual

• National League Manager of the Month: February 2023, ^[24] October 2023 ^[26]
• He was awarded the Freedom of the City of Southend-on-Sea in March 2024. ^[53]

References

1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN   978-1-84596-324-8.
2. "Oldham swoop for midfielder Maher". BBC Sport. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
3. "Football: Southend 1 Rochdale 1". Sunday Mirror. 4 October 1998. Archived from the original on 8 October 2008. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
4. "Maher leaves the Shrimpers". Echo. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
5. "Gills disappointed by Maher snub". BBC Sport. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
6. "Oldham 4–3 Millwall". BBC Sport. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
7. "MK Dons 6–2 Oldham". BBC Sport. 14 March 2009. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
8. "Axe falls as Penney prunes squad". Oldham Athletic AFC. 13 May 2009. Archived from the original on 15 May 2009. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
9. "Maher signs two-year deal". Gillingham F.C. 24 June 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
10. "Dagenham & Redbridge sign unattached quartet". BBC Sport. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
11. "Daggers Announce Released Players List". Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
12. NEWS FROM THE MANAGEMENT TEAM, chelmsfordcityfc.com, 13 June 2014
13. "Wasteful City Lose to Maidenhead". Chelmsford City FC. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
14. Kevin Maher: Southend United name club legend as U21s boss, bbc.co.uk, 27 November 2015
15. "Hawkes Steps Down". Chelmsford City FC. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
16. "Maher Appointed Boss For Rest of Season". Chelmsford City FC. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
17. Kevin Maher joins Bristol Rovers, southendunited.co.uk, 22 July 2019
18. "Bristol Rovers caretaker Kevin Maher calls on Gasheads to create 'hell of an atmosphere' for visit of Peterborough United". Bristol Post. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
19. "Bristol Rovers 0–0 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. 21 December 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
20. "Statement: Manager Granted Period of Extended Leave". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
21. "KEVIN MAHER ANNOUNCED AS FIRST TEAM HEAD COACH". www.southendunited.co.uk. 20 October 2021.
22. "Dagenham & Redbridge 3–0 Southend United". BBC Sport. 23 October 2021.
23. "Southend United 4–1 Dover Athletic". BBC Sport. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
24. "Maher and Carter Feast On The February Awards". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
25. Phillips, Chris (28 October 2023). "Southend United deny Gillingham permission to speak to Kevin Maher". Southend Echo. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
26. "Banks And Maher Make It A Month To Remember!". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
27. "Kevin Maher, Darren Currie and Mark Bentley sign new Southend United contracts". BBC Sport. 26 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
28. "Games played by Kevin Maher in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
29. "Games played by Kevin Maher in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
30. "Games played by Kevin Maher in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
31. "Games played by Kevin Maher in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
32. "Games played by Kevin Maher in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
33. "Southend 2002/2003 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
34. "Games played by Kevin Maher in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
35. "Southend 2004/2005 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
36. "Games played by Kevin Maher in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
37. "Games played by Kevin Maher in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
38. "Games played by Kevin Maher in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
39. "Games played by Kevin Maher in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
40. "Games played by Kevin Maher in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
41. "Games played by Kevin Maher in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
42. "Dag & Red 2011/2012 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
43. "Dag & Red 2012/2013 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
44. "Bray Wanderers 2013 player appearances". Bray Wanderers F.C. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
45. "Whitehawk 2013/2014 player appearances". Whitehawk F.C. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
46. "Club Honours - News - Southend United". www.southendunited.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
47. "Blackpool 2–0 Southend". BBC Sport. 21 March 2004. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
48. "Southend 0–2 Wrexham". BBC Sport. 10 April 2005. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
49. "Maher clocks up a decade". Echo. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
50. Miles, Peter (2015). 101 Interesting Facts on Southend United: Learn About the Boys From Roots Hall. Clacton-on-Sea: Apex Publishing Limited. ISBN   9781909143050.
51. "Gerrard named player of the year". 23 April 2006. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
52. "Sunderland/Wigan dominate line-up". 24 April 2005. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
53. Sexton, Christine (16 December 2023). "Blues boss to receive Freedom of the City accolade". BBC News Essex. Retrieved 16 December 2023.

External links

• Kevin Maher at Soccerbase