Kevin Maher

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Kevin Maher

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| fullname = Kevin Andrew Maher{{cite book | editor-last = Hugman | editor-first = Barry J. | title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09 | publisher = Mainstream | year = 2008 | isbn = 978-1-84596-324-8}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|10|17|df=y}}

| birth_place = Ilford, England

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = Southend United (head coach)

| youthyears1 = {{0|000}}?–1995

| youthclubs1 = Tottenham Hotspur

| years1 = 1995–1998

| clubs1 = Tottenham Hotspur

| caps1 = 0

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 1998–2008

| clubs2 = Southend United

| caps2 = 383

| goals2 = 22

| years3 = 2008

| clubs3 = → Gillingham (loan)

| caps3 = 7

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2008–2009

| clubs4 = Oldham Athletic

| caps4 = 31

| goals4 = 1

| years5 = 2009–2011

| clubs5 = Gillingham

| caps5 = 62

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2011–2013

| clubs6 = Dagenham & Redbridge

| caps6 = 16

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2013

| clubs7 = Bray Wanderers

| caps7 = 6

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2013–2014

| clubs8 = Whitehawk

| caps8 = 11

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2015

| clubs9 = Chelmsford City

| caps9 = 0

| goals9 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 1993

| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U17

| nationalcaps1 = 1

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 1997

| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U21

| nationalcaps2 = 4

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| totalcaps = 517

| totalgoals = 23

| manageryears1 = 2016

| managerclubs1 = Chelmsford City

| manageryears2 = 2019

| managerclubs2 = Bristol Rovers (caretaker)

| manageryears3 = 2021–

| managerclubs3 = Southend United

}}

Kevin Andrew Maher (born 17 October 1976) is a former professional footballer and coach who played as a midfielder. He is head coach of National League side Southend United. Born in England, he represented the Republic of Ireland internationally at youth levels U17 and U21.

Club career

= Southend United =

After beginning his career with Tottenham Hotspur,{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/o/oldham_athletic/7512115.stm| title=Oldham swoop for midfielder Maher| publisher=BBC Sport| date=24 July 2008| access-date=11 May 2009}} Maher moved to Southend United on a free transfer on 23 January 1998. He quickly broke into the first team, making 18 appearances for the first-team that season. During the 1998–99 season, Maher scored his first career goal in a 1–1 draw with Rochdale.{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_19981004/ai_n14485159/ |title=Football: Southend 1 Rochdale 1 |work=Sunday Mirror |date=4 October 1998 |access-date=11 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008114707/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_19981004/ai_n14485159 |archive-date= 8 October 2008 }}

Over the next ten years Maher was a virtual ever-present for Southend, rising to be team captain and subsequently club captain. During this time he made more than 400 appearances for the club, and captained Southend to promotion twice, from League Two to the Championship, in successive seasons.

When, during the 2007–08 season it became clear that Maher was no longer an automatic first choice he chose to look for opportunities elsewhere. He left Southend just before he would have become entitled to a testimonial, to join fellow League One side, Gillingham, on loan for the remainder of the season.{{Cite web |title=Maher leaves the Shrimpers |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/2087161.maher-leaves-the-shrimpers/ |access-date=27 March 2022 |website=Echo |language=en}} In his two months with the Kent club, he made seven total appearances but did not score a goal.

= Oldham Athletic =

In the summer of 2008, Maher joined Oldham Athletic after he was released by Southend, despite the confidence from Gillingham that he would sign with their club.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/7523520.stm| title=Gills disappointed by Maher snub| publisher=BBC Sport| date=24 July 2008| access-date=11 May 2009}} He immediately signed a one-year contract with the club. On 9 August, he made his debut for Oldham in a 4–3 comeback victory versus Millwall.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/7541055.stm| title=Oldham 4–3 Millwall| publisher=BBC Sport| date=9 August 2008| access-date=11 May 2009}} He later scored his first goal for Oldham on 14 March 2009 versus Milton Keynes Dons. In the 4th minute, he scored from a free kick to give Oldham a 1–0 lead, though the team lost the game 6–2.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/7923240.stm| title=MK Dons 6–2 Oldham| publisher=BBC Sport| date=14 March 2009| access-date=11 May 2009}} On 13 May, under new manager Dave Penney, Maher's contract was not renewed, resulting in his release from the club.{{cite news|url=http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/NewsUpdate/0,,10337~1656530,00.html |title=Axe falls as Penney prunes squad |publisher=Oldham Athletic AFC |date=13 May 2009 |access-date=13 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515042423/http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/NewsUpdate/0%2C%2C10337~1656530%2C00.html |archive-date=15 May 2009 }}

= Gillingham =

In June 2009, he joined Gillingham on a two-year deal.{{cite news| url=http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10416~1701450,00.html| title=Maher signs two-year deal| publisher=Gillingham F.C.| date=24 June 2009| access-date=24 June 2009}}

= Dagenham & Redbridge =

In August 2011 Maher signed for Dagenham & Redbridge.{{cite news|title=Dagenham & Redbridge sign unattached quartet|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14362688.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=1 August 2011|date=1 August 2011}} On 7 May 2013, he was released by the Daggers due to the expiry of his contract.{{cite web|title=Daggers Announce Released Players List|url=http://www.daggers.co.uk/news/article/daggers-announce-released-players-list-811566.aspx|work=Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.|access-date=7 May 2013}}

International career

Born in England, Maher was eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland national team, and made four appearances for the Republic of Ireland U21 national team.

Coaching career

In June 2014 Maher was appointed head coach of Chelmsford City.[https://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/news/news-from-the-management-team-1236696.html NEWS FROM THE MANAGEMENT TEAM], chelmsfordcityfc.com, 13 June 2014 On 14 February 2015, Maher was an unused substitute in the Clarets' 2–0 defeat to Maidenhead United.{{cite web|title=Wasteful City Lose to Maidenhead|url=http://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/s/match-centre-62438/1-1001922/|work=Chelmsford City FC|access-date=15 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215032018/http://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/s/match-centre-62438/1-1001922/|archive-date=15 February 2015|url-status=dead}}

In October 2015 Maher returned to Southend in a coaching capacity, assisting the under 21 and youth teams at the club and at the end of November 2015, he was appointed U21 manager of the club.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34948585 Kevin Maher: Southend United name club legend as U21s boss], bbc.co.uk, 27 November 2015 On 20 January 2016, Maher was named as Chelmsford City's caretaker manager after previous manager Mark Hawkes left the club,{{cite web|title=Hawkes Steps Down|url=http://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/news/hawkes-steps-down-1554859.html|work=Chelmsford City FC|access-date=20 January 2016}} On 26 February 2016, Maher was appointed Chelmsford City manager until the end of the season,{{cite web|title=Maher Appointed Boss For Rest of Season|url=http://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/news/maher-appointed-boss-for-rest-of-season-1573489.html|work=Chelmsford City FC|access-date=27 February 2016}} before being replaced by Rod Stringer during the summer break.

=Bristol Rovers=

In July 2019, Maher left his position at Southend and joined Bristol Rovers as a first team coach.[https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2019/july/kevin-maher-joins-bristol-rovers/ Kevin Maher joins Bristol Rovers], southendunited.co.uk, 22 July 2019 Following the departure of manager Graham Coughlan, followed by caretaker manager Joe Dunne, Maher was placed in temporary charge of Bristol Rovers,{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-rovers-caretaker-kevin-maher-3665324|title=Bristol Rovers caretaker Kevin Maher calls on Gasheads to create 'hell of an atmosphere' for visit of Peterborough United|publisher=Bristol Post|date=20 December 2019|accessdate=18 April 2021}} overseeing a 0–0 draw with Peterborough United before Ben Garner was appointed as permanent manager.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50791438|title=Bristol Rovers 0–0 Peterborough United|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 December 2019|accessdate=18 April 2021}} In January 2020, Maher was again placed in charge of the first-team after manager Garner was granted a period of extended leave for personal reasons.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/january/ben-garner-statement/|title=Statement: Manager Granted Period of Extended Leave|website=www.bristolrovers.co.uk|date=12 January 2020|accessdate=18 April 2021}}

=Southend United=

On 20 October 2021, Maher returned to Southend United, now in the National League, in the role of head coach, replacing Phil Brown. Darren Currie joined him as his assistant and former Southend teammate Mark Bentley joined as first team coach.{{cite web|url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2021/october/kevin-maher-announced-as-first-team-head-coach/|title=KEVIN MAHER ANNOUNCED AS FIRST TEAM HEAD COACH|website=www.southendunited.co.uk|date=20 October 2021}} His opening match as manager ended in disappointment as he saw his side fall to a 3–0 defeat at fifth-placed Dagenham & Redbridge as the hosts scored three goals in six minutes.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58936481|title=Dagenham & Redbridge 3–0 Southend United|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 October 2021}} Maher got a first win in his third game for the club when his side beat bottom side Dover Athletic 4–1 to move out of the relegation zone.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58963284|title=Southend United 4–1 Dover Athletic|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 November 2021|accessdate=9 November 2021}}

Despite ongoing difficulties off the field, Maher ensured that his side maintained their impressive form. Following five wins from six matches, he was awarded the National League Manager of the Month award for February 2023 with Southend sitting in the play-off positions.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/maher-and-carter-feast-on-the-february-awards-75094|title=Maher and Carter Feast On The February Awards|website=www.thenationalleague.org.uk|date=13 March 2023|accessdate=13 March 2023}}

In late October 2023, Maher was linked with the vacant managerial position at Gillingham, but Southend denied the League Two club permission to approach him. {{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23886339.southend-united-deny-gillingham-permission-speak-kevin-maher/|title=Southend United deny Gillingham permission to speak to Kevin Maher|publisher=Southend Echo|last1=Phillips|first1=Chris|date=28 October 2023|accessdate=15 November 2023}} Also in October 2023, Maher won a second Manager of the Month award, having accrued 13 points from five matches, conceding just one goal. {{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/banks-and-maher-make-it-a-month-to-remember-79014|title=Banks And Maher Make It A Month To Remember!|website=www.thenationalleague.org.uk|date=14 November 2023|accessdate=15 November 2023}} In December 2023, Maher signed a new "long-term" contract at Southend.{{cite news |title=Kevin Maher, Darren Currie and Mark Bentley sign new Southend United contracts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67823309 |access-date=28 December 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=26 December 2023}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National cup !colspan="2"\|League cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="12"\|Southend United \|1997–98{{Soccerbase season\|13772\|1997\|access-date=11 November 2012}} \|Second Division \|18	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	1
1998–99{{Soccerbase season\|13772\|1998\|access-date=11 November 2012}} \|Third Division \|34	4	1	0	4	0	1{{efn\|name=FLT\|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy}}	1	40	5
1999–2000{{Soccerbase season\|13772\|1999\|access-date=11 November 2012}} \|Third Division \|24	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	25	0
2000–01{{Soccerbase season\|13772\|2000\|access-date=11 November 2012}} \|Third Division \|41	2	4	0	2	0	6{{efn\|name=FLT}}	0	53	2
2001–02{{Soccerbase season\|13772\|2001\|access-date=11 November 2012}} \|Third Division \|36	5	4	0	1	0	1{{efn\|name=FLT}}	0	42	5
2002–03{{cite web \| title = Southend 2002/2003 player appearances \| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1628&teamTabs=stats \| publisher = Soccerbase \| access-date = 11 November 2012}} \|Third Division \|42	2	4	0	1	0	0	0	47	2
2003–04{{Soccerbase season\|13772\|2003\|access-date=11 November 2012}} \|Third Division \|42	1	5	0	1	1	7{{efn\|name=FLT}}	0	55	2
2004–05{{cite web \| title = Southend 2004/2005 player appearances \| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=378&teamTabs=stats \| publisher = Soccerbase \| access-date = 11 November 2012}} \|League Two \|42	1	1	0	1	0	10{{efn\|Seven appearances in Football League Trophy, three appearances in Football League Two play-offs}}	0	54	1
2005–06{{Soccerbase season\|13772\|2005\|access-date=11 November 2012}} \|League One \|44	1	2	0	1	0	1{{efn\|name=FLT}}	0	48	1
2006–07{{Soccerbase season\|13772\|2006\|access-date=11 November 2012}} \|Championship \|41	5	3	1	5	0	colspan="2"\|—	49	6
2007–08{{Soccerbase season\|13772\|2007\|access-date=30 July 2020}} \|League One \|19	0	3	0	1	0	0	0	23	0
colspan="2"\|Total !383	22	27	1	18	1	26	1	454	25
Gillingham (loan) \|2007–08 \|League One \|7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Oldham Athletic \|2008–09{{Soccerbase season\|13772\|2008\|access-date=11 November 2012}} \|League One \|28	1	2	0	1	0	1{{efn\|name=FLT}}	0	32	1
rowspan="3"\|Gillingham \|2009–10{{Soccerbase season\|13772\|2009\|access-date=11 November 2012}} \|League One \|26	0	2	0	2	0	1{{efn\|name=FLT}}	0	31	0
2010–11{{Soccerbase season\|13772\|2010\|access-date=11 November 2012}} \|League Two \|36	0	0	0	1	0	1{{efn\|name=FLT}}	0	38	0
colspan="2"\|Total !62	0	2	0	3	0	2	1	69	0
rowspan="3"\|Dagenham & Redbridge \|2011–12{{cite web \| title = Dag & Red 2011/2012 player appearances \| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=760&teamTabs=stats \| publisher = Soccerbase \| access-date = 11 November 2012}} \|League Two \|8	0	1	0	0	0	1{{efn\|name=FLT}}	0	10	0
2012–13{{cite web \| title = Dag & Red 2012/2013 player appearances \| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=760&teamTabs=stats \| publisher = Soccerbase \| access-date = 11 November 2012}} \|League Two \|8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
colspan="2"\|Total !16	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	18	0
Bray Wanderers \|2013{{cite web \| title = Bray Wanderers 2013 player appearances \| url = http://www.braywanderers.com/showarticle.php?id=620 \| publisher = Bray Wanderers F.C. \| access-date = 13 June 2014}} \|LOI Premier Division \|6	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	2{{efn\|Appearances in League of Ireland Premier Division play-offs}}	0	8	0
Whitehawk \|2013–14{{cite web \|title = Whitehawk 2013/2014 player appearances \|url = http://www.whitehawkfc.co.uk.php53-12.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/first-team/player-stats/ \|publisher = Whitehawk F.C. \|access-date = 13 June 2014 \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140208023650/http://www.whitehawkfc.co.uk.php53-12.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/first-team/player-stats/ \|archive-date = 8 February 2014 \|url-status = dead \|df = dmy-all }} \|Conference South \|11	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	11	0
colspan="3"\|Career totals !513	23	32	1	22	1	32	1	599	26

Managerial statistics

rowspan=2\|Team !rowspan=2\|From !rowspan=2\|To !colspan=5\|Record
class=wikitable style=text-align:center \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
{{abbr\|P\|Matches played}}	{{abbr\|W\|Matches won}}	{{abbr\|D\|Matches drawn}}	{{abbr\|L\|Matches lost}}	{{abbr\|Win %\|Win percentage}}
align=left\|Bristol Rovers (caretaker) \|align=left\|21 December 2019 \|align=left\|23 December 2019 {{WDL\|1\|0\|1\|0\|decimals=1}}
align=left\|Southend United \|align=left\|20 October 2021 \|align=left\|Present {{WDL\|184\|77\|46\|61\|decimals=1}}
colspan="3"\|Total {{WDLtot\|185\|77\|47\|61\|decimals=1}}

Honours

=As a player=

Southend United{{Cite web |title=Club Honours - News - Southend United |url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2012/august/club-honours/ |access-date=27 March 2022 |website=www.southendunited.co.uk |language=en-gb}}

Football League One: 2005–06
Football League Two play-offs: 2005
Football League Trophy runner-up: 2003–04,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3517244.stm |title=Blackpool 2–0 Southend |website=BBC Sport |date=21 March 2004 |access-date=17 March 2024}} 2004–05{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4423417.stm |title=Southend 0–2 Wrexham |website=BBC Sport |date=10 April 2005 |access-date=17 March 2024}}

Individual

Southend United Player of the Season: 2000–01,{{Cite web |title=Maher clocks up a decade |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/2022696.maher-clocks-up-a-decade/ |access-date=27 March 2022 |website=Echo |language=en}} 2006–07{{Cite book |last=Miles |first=Peter |title=101 Interesting Facts on Southend United: Learn About the Boys From Roots Hall |publisher=Apex Publishing Limited |year=2015 |isbn=9781909143050 |location=Clacton-on-Sea}}
PFA Team of the Year: 2005–06 League One, 2004–05 League Two{{Cite news |date=23 April 2006 |title=Gerrard named player of the year |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4935884.stm |access-date=27 March 2022}}{{Cite news |date=24 April 2005 |title=Sunderland/Wigan dominate line-up |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4475213.stm |access-date=27 March 2022}}

=As a manager=

Individual

National League Manager of the Month: February 2023, October 2023
He was awarded the Freedom of the City of Southend-on-Sea in March 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ck507zxn63jo |title=Blues boss to receive Freedom of the City accolade |last=Sexton |first=Christine |date=16 December 2023 |website=BBC News Essex |access-date=16 December 2023 }}

References

External links

{{Soccerbase}}

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Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Redbridge

Category:People from Ilford

Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's B international footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players

Category:Southend United F.C. players

Category:Gillingham F.C. players

Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players

Category:Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. players

Category:Bray Wanderers F.C. players

Category:Whitehawk F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:League of Ireland players

Category:Chelmsford City F.C. managers

Category:Chelmsford City F.C. players

Category:English football managers

Category:Southend United F.C. non-playing staff

Category:Chelmsford City F.C. non-playing staff

Category:Association football coaches

Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. managers

Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. non-playing staff

Category:Southend United F.C. managers

rowspan=2\|Team !rowspan=2\|From !rowspan=2\|To !colspan=5\|Record
class=wikitable style=text-align:center \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
{{abbr\|P\|Matches played}}	{{abbr\|W\|Matches won}}	{{abbr\|D\|Matches drawn}}	{{abbr\|L\|Matches lost}}	{{abbr\|Win %\|Win percentage}}
align=left\|Bristol Rovers (caretaker) \|align=left\|21 December 2019 \|align=left\|23 December 2019 {{WDL\|1\|0\|1\|0\|decimals=1}}
align=left\|Southend United \|align=left\|20 October 2021 \|align=left\|Present {{WDL\|184\|77\|46\|61\|decimals=1}}
colspan="3"\|Total {{WDLtot\|185\|77\|47\|61\|decimals=1}}