OLI Coker always had the ‘drive and determination’ to succeed at Southend United, according to his first Shrimpers coach Danny Heath.
Coker opened his account for Kevin Maher’s side with a brilliant long range shot in Saturday’s 4-0 win against Oldham Athletic at Roots Hall.
But Heath – who first worked with the midfielder in Blues’ under nine side – always believed Coker would work his way into the first team after impressing from a very early age.
“Oli is an outstanding footballer and he’s a great bloke too,” said Heath.
“He’s always that grit and determination to want to be the best and that always showed.
“In training from a young age he didn’t enjoy losing.
“He understood it was sometimes part of football but he always had that commitment to be the best he could be.
“He’s always wanted to better himself and he was like that all the way through the academy.
“He was part a brilliant group, he was with the likes of Finley Burns who we sold to Man City, Tommy Davis and others.
“It was one of the better groups we’ve had come through the system.”
However, Coker – who counts Heath as the biggest influence on his Blues career - was still able to stand out due to his all round game.
“With some young players they have really good technical ability on the ball and Oli has that in abundance,” said Heath.
“But he also had that bit of fight and was willing to put his foot in which not all good technical players have.
“He enjoys the physical side of the game and works hard for himself and the team.
“Normally a young player will have one or the other and we have to try and coach what they’re lacking into them.
“But Oli had both from a very young age and he can’t be nice to play against.
“He won’t go around kicking people outside the laws of the game and it will be controlled aggression but he enjoys that side of things too.”
Such tenacity enabled Coker to make his first team debut at the age of 17 as he came off the bench against Portsmouth in the Football League Trophy in October 2020.
Two further substitute appearances followed that season before Coker’s progress was halted by injury.
“Oli’s had to work hard and it’s not always been full of highs for him either,” recalled Heath.
“He had quite a few injuries when he was a third year scholar in and around the 23s.
“He was seeing people go up and train with the first team and I would always say to him to keep focused because one day your ability will get you there too.
“He had a few lows in terms of injuries but that’s part and parcel of football unfortunately.
“He stuck at it, he worked hard and his ability has got him to where he is now.”
Coker made three appearances off the bench for Blues last season before heading out on loan to Aveley back in January.
The youngster helped the Millers via the Isthmian Premier League play-offs before heading back to the Shrimpers for pre-season.
And that led to the former Greensward Academy pupil working his way onto the score-sheet on Saturday, a moment Heath will never forget.
“When he scored it was a great buzz and a really proud moment,” said Blues’ youth team boss.
“That’s not just for myself but for all the academy staff who have played a part in Oli’s journey.”
But Coker is no stranger to scoring spectacular goals and once netted from the half way line to help Blues’ under 18 side beat Leyton Orient.
“Craig Fagan gave Oli a sly heads up about how high up the goalkeeper’s starting position was,” said Heath.
“Once Oli had seen it for himself he had the trust and confidence in his own ability to actually do it.
“It was a pressured moment.
“Orient had just equalised to make it 3-3 and it was pretty much the last kick of the game.
“He trusted his ability and scored straight from kick-off from the halfway line, it was brilliant.”
Just like then, Coker will still be looking to improve.
And Heath knows the 20-year-old – who watched Blues as a kid – will flourish under the first team’s management team.
“With the gaffer (Kevin Maher), Daz (Darren Currie) and Benno (Mark Bentley) coaching him he’s only going to get better.
“He will be determined to kick on and make that happen too.
“As coaches we play a small part at times and it comes down to how much the player wants it.
“Oli has that in abundance and will keep working hard.”
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