NOT only did Leo Roget play for both Southend United and Stockport County during his career but he also lined up alongside the current managers of  both clubs too.

Roget is best remembered for his spell at Roots Hall where he played alongside current Blues boss Kevin Maher.

But he knew Maher way before either of them ended up with the Shrimpers.

“Kev and I played district football from the under 11s all the way through to the under 16s and we played school matches against each other too so we knew each other really well from about the age of 10,” said Roget.

“When Danny Greaves was our youth manager at Southend we also played Spurs in the FA Youth Cup in the last 16 I think it was.

“I was captain of Southend and Kev was captain of Spurs.

“Then one day he called me to say Alvin (Martin) had come in for him and asked if he should come to Southend.

“I said yes, if you’re not playing at Spurs come and get first team football and the next day he was at the training ground.”

And that led to the duo sharing several more car journeys together.

“We lived about five minutes apart,” said Roget.

“Our mums used to take it in turns to take us to training when we were kids and then we became driving buddies when we were at Southend too.”

However, Roget was not always a good companion where that was concerned.

“To be honest I think I made him late every single day,” laughed Roget.

“Alan Little was the manager and he told us no more being late.

“We were late again after that and both got fined but by the time they had written the letter we were late again the next day on top of that.

“But it was always my fault and I definitely cost Kev a bit of dough back then!”

Maher went on to play for the Shrimpers for seven more years after Roget’s departure in 2001.

However, up until then, Roget had not expected Maher to go into management.

“Kev was quiet but I left to go to Stockport when I was 23 so I didn’t really get to see him in the later stages of his career,” said Roget.

“At 23 and younger I probably didn’t see him going into management but he was always an intelligent footballer and a lot of intelligent footballers do go into management.

“He always understood the game really well so it doesn’t surprise me what he’s doing now and the job he’s done there this season is phenomenal.”

Roget remains a keen follower of the Shrimpers.

And he still recalls his own spell at Roots Hall with real fondness.

“Southend was the most enjoyable time of my career but funnily enough the second most enjoyable time was at Stockport,” said Roget.

“I have fond memories of both clubs but Southend was great and funnily enough today is actually the anniversary of my first Southend goal against Watford which was a great moment.”

Roget went on to make 139 appearances for Blues before leaving to join Stockport in 2001.

And it was the defender’s desire to play at a higher level which ultimately led to his departure.

“The reality is when I first got into the Southend team we were in the Championship but then we got relegated with Ronnie (Whelan) and then I was out injured for pretty much the whole season after that and we went down again,” recalled Roget.

“When I came back we were in League Two and I wanted to play higher.

“If I’m honest I was always hoping to play well enough to get a move back into the Championship and Stockport ended up coming in for me.

“They were in the Championship and it gave me that football at a higher level I was craving.”

Roget helped Stockport avoid relegation after signing and thoroughly enjoyed his spell at Edgeley Park.

“I absolutely loved it,” said Roget.

“I was living in Manchester in a hotel for the first two or three months with Shefki Kuqi in the room next to me.

“We became best mates and I named my dog after him and all sorts.

“When I went there we were second bottom with about 14 games to go.

“We went on an amazing run but I’ll always remember the chairman coming in before a game with Birmingham to tell us he was going to sack the manager if we didn’t win!

“We beat them 2-0 and went on a run when we didn’t get beaten in about 10 games but then Carlton Palmer came in and that was the end of that story!

“I had about 17 managers in my whole career but I think Carlton Palmer and Alvin Martin are fighting it out to be the worst one although I think Alvin would probably just nick it to be honest.”

Roget fell out of favour with Palmer in charge and it was current Stockport boss Dave Challinor who took his place at the back.

“He was bought to replace me,” said Roget.

“Carlton signed him when he said he was signing a whole new team because we weren’t good enough.

“I was on the bench after Dave signed and Carlton and I fell out big time so I was on loan at Reading after that.

“But he was a nice fella Dave Challinor.

“He was really well known for his long throw and I’m pleased he’s doing well too.

“I haven’t got a bad word to say about him at all.”

Challinor and Maher will now be going head to head in the dug outs this weekend.

But Roget is upset to see the match happening in the National League.

“It’s surprising and sad for me,” said the 44-year-old.

“I had a great time at both clubs but football is funny.

“You see Portsmouth and Sunderland in League One and I used to play for Brentford at the bottom of League One and look at them now.

“They’ve just beaten Chelsea 4-1 at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League so football is funny but I would say both Southend and Stockport are both League One football clubs at least.”

Roget will be watching his two former teams on the television this weekend.

But nowadays he works helping others to achieve their goals.

“I’ve been a personal trainer for 12 years now,” said Roget.

“I’ve also got an online platform called Rude, Roget’s ultimate definition of exercise.

“That’s been going online for about three years and I’m currently running a free programme for anyone that wants to get involved.”