SOUTHEND United’s FA Cup clash with Charlton Athletic will rekindle special memories for ex Shrimpers striker Simon Cox this weekend.

Cox scored twice in a 3-1 win the last time Blues beat the Addicks back in 2017.

And it is match Cox still remembers with real fondness.

“It was on Boxing Day and I remember having Christmas Day back home,” said Cox.

“I drove back up for the game and Boxing Day games are always quite special I think.

“I always used to take them as a free game because it’s very hit and miss depending on how well you had Christmas!

“You’ve got to be careful with what you eat and drink and prepare properly but when you drove up it can be difficult to get your normal pre-match routine in.

“I remember getting there and I always seemed to enjoy Boxing Day for some reason.

“Maybe it was because it was family time you let the shackles off a bit.

“But I remember Harry Lennon was playing for Charlton and I always used to let him remember it when he joined us which was nice.”

Michael Turner joined Cox on the score-sheet at Roots Hall that afternoon but the Shrimpers head into the latest game between the clubs as real underdogs.

Blues now line up in the National League but Cox believes Kevin Maher’s side should relish facing League One opposition this weekend.

“It's the FA Cup and it’s always nice to play against a team in a higher division,” said Cox.

“I didn’t expect them to be so far apart in divisions now but they are where they are.

“Nathan Jones is starting to get Charlton going a little bit so it will be a good test for Southend, Kev (Maher)and the players.

“It will be a full Roots Hall which is good and they’ve got to go out, enjoy it and test themselves against a higher division team.”

Cox – who scored 45 goals in 172 games for the Shrimpers – still follows the fortunes of the club.

And he has also formed a friendship with the club’s new owner Justin Rees due to Cox’s ownership of the F45 gym in Southend.

“I reached out to Justin when I knew he was taking over,” said Cox.

“I said I owned F45 and asked if he had done it before what with it being an Australian brand.

“He said he had and he comes down every now and then when he’s over.

“He’s great when he’s here because we have a few Southend fans who come here.

“He’s very open to talking to them as well as he is everyone else.”

Cox has been to watch Blues this season and believes George Moncur will soon develop into a key player for the club.

“I’ve been to a few games this season,” said Cox.

“I went to the opening day and Barnet away as well.

“I’ve been a few and you can see what’s happened.

“You can see the team are tyring to do some really good things too.

“Having your right -back is the top-scorer is a little bit concerning as a striker but I have no doubt that as soon as George Moncur starts to fire he will start to pull strings in that division.

“He’s a really good signing and I think Southend will start to climb the table even more.”

Cox is also keen to keep on making progress in his own career.

And he still revelling in having his own gym.

“It’s long days but I enjoy it,” said Cox.

“The reason I set it up was to continue that team spirit to help people achieve things which is what I tried to do as a senior player towards the end of my career.

“We see great changes in a lot of people which is great.

“We’re still making changes internally so we’re trying to improve all the time but it’s going well.

“I’ve got a few grey hairs and bags under my eyes but it’s good.

“It’s been a hell of a rollercoaster so far and long may it continue.”

Cox will bring up his second anniversary of having the gym in May but is now enjoying a sporting career of a different kind after opting to take part in Hyrox competitions.

“It’s a fitness competition with eight 1km runs and eight functional movements,” said Cox.

“You start with a 1,000m run, then do 1,000m on a ski machine, then another 1,000m run sled push, run, sled pull, run and so on.

“It’s super intense and we’re lucky here because we’re a Hyrox affiliated studio.

“We get the proper programme and a lot of guys are doing.

“In May we took 11 and November we’re taking 31 so it’s progressively building.”

And Cox is looking forward to soon taking part in even more competitions.

“It's intense but when I went to do it last Friday it was something out of my comfort zone,” said the 37-year-old.

“I was doing it on my own and could only blame myself for anything that went wrong.

“My legs felt terrible for a couple of days after but still ended up doing the Leigh 10k stupidly!

“I loved it though and I’ve booked another one in London at the end of November.

“Then I’m going Manchester in January, Malaga in February, London in May and New York in June.

“I’ve got my focus on it and it’s given me something to have a bit of purpose for and to train hard for as well.”

And that means Cox does not miss playing football.

“Obviously you’ll never replicate that feeling of scoring goals but I knew when my time was up and if I ever play in a charity game I just enjoy it,” said Cox.

“There’s no resentment from me and I’m more than happy with where I’m at right now.”