Former Southend United striker David Crown has hailed David Webb's appointment as Blues manager as a masterstroke.

Crown played under Webb at Roots Hall and was an integral part of the Shrimpers' 1989-90 Fourth Division promotion winning side, cracking home 23 goals.

"I may not have realised it at the time, but Webb is certainly the best manager I've ever played under," said Crown, who scored 69 times in 132 appearances for Blues.

"He is a man that both the Southend fans and the town can relate to - Webb is the best man for the job!"

Crown still works locally, running an accountancy firm in Leigh, which he combines with his role as assistant manager at Ryman Premier League Purfleet.

And the 42-year-old believes his former boss can rekindle the glory years and lead the Shrimpers to success yet again.

"If you needed a manager to get you out of the lower divisions then Webb is the best bet," added Crown. "He knows what he wants to do and he gets on with the job.

"He is a man of few words and keeps himself to himself. But Webb has excellent motivational skills and will certainly get the best out of his players.

"Webb won't be worried about changing things around at Roots Hall and I'm sure he'll get the place buzzing again."

However, Crown had a few words of warning for Southend's current crop of highly-paid players.

"Webb commands loyalty and he isn't the sort of person you cross swords with," he added.

"But he is a fair man and anyone who is willing to work their socks off for Southend and get their shirts wet has nothing to fear. Webb doesn't have any favourites, but he will always reward the players if they get things done for him.

"However, if you don't give Webb 100 per cent you will see the other side of his character, which, believe me, is a line no player at Southend should even attempt to step over.

"If you get on his wrong side he will have you running around the training pitch until you're virtually begging to stop.

"But he will pull everybody together and make sure they are working in the right direction, which is what Southend United needs."

Webb's last employer - Yeovil Town chairman John Fry - is another big fan of the new Shrimpers boss.

"I would put Webb in the same category as Bill Shankly and Brian Clough," said the Conference side's supremo.

"He is very special and we have benefited tremendously from having him at Huish Park. "Webb has done a magnificent job at Yeovil and has given us the professionalism on which to build success."

(Right) Adding up the situation - David Crown, who now combines running his accountancy business with the assistant manager's role at Ryman League Premier Division Purfleet, rates Webb the best manager he played under.

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

(Left) On the ball - David Crown during his playing days under David Webb at Roots Hall.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.