Peter Taylor revealed he still wants another crack at the Southend United job, ahead of his current club Hull City's trip to his old stomping ground tomorrow.

The 50-year-old was shown the Roots Hall exit door in Feb-ruary 1995, with the Shrimpers struggling at the foot of the First Division table, leaving Steve Thompson to keep Blues up.

Peter Taylor

But he has bounced back during the last eight years, taking Leicester City to the top of the Premiership, winning promotions with both Bright-on and Gillingham, as well as managing England.

And Taylor, who started out as a winger with Blues before playing for Crystal Palace and Spurs, said he was relishing his Roots Hall return.

"It is always special going to Southend as they were the team I watched standing as a kid behind the goal," he said.

"I played for Blues and then got the chance to manage them after Barry Fry left the club to go to Birmingham.

"It was my first job in league football and it was hard. I always wanted to do my best for Blues and it broke my heart when I had to leave the club.

"But I've bounced back from my time at Roots Hall and gone on to enjoy some nice successes in the game.

"My time with Blues was a great learning curve and experience, which has held me in good stead during my managerial career.

"And one day I would like to return to Roots Hall and be the manager of Southend again."

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Published Friday, January 31, 2003

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