TWO of Che Wilson’s former teams go head-to-head at Roots Hall tomorrow but the former Southend United defender will be firmly focusing on helping others to follow in his footsteps.

Wilson - who made 128 appearances for the Shrimpers - is now head of football at Bath University.

And the 41-year-old is thoroughly enjoying the role.

“I’m head of football at Bath University and I oversee all the programmes here which is great,” said Wilson.

“I’ve been doing this for five years now and we run an elite programme so it’s fun to be a part of.

“Paul Tisdale was here before and he’s probably the biggest name to be part of what we do.

“Although there’s obviously an academic base, we look to help youngsters who have fallen out of the game and slipped by the wayside a little bit.

“That could have been after finishing their youth team football or a little bit older but we work with them and try to get them back in the game.”

Wilson trod that same path during his own career for, after leaving Bristol Rovers in 2003, the defender found himself playing non-league football for Cambridge City.

However, just months later, Wilson found himself back in the professional game with the Shrimpers.

And he holds fond memories from most of his time at Roots Hall, which included back-to-back promotions and winning the League One title back in 2006.

“I really enjoyed being with Southend and have some great memories from my time there,” said Wilson.

“I was there for five years and, being honest, two were great but three were indifferent.

“The highs were obviously the promotions and winning the League was definitely the best moment, especially as we pipped that other lot from up the road.

“After winning the play-offs the year before, we were favourites to go down but we proved everyone wrong because we had some great players and a great team spirit.”

But there were also low moments for Wilson with the Shrimpers.

“I had some injuries which were frustrating but the biggest disappointment was not being given more of a chance in the Championship,” said Wilson.

“After two promotions in a row I thought I deserved more of an opportunity and it frustrates me even now to be honest but you have to move on.”

Wilson has done that by starting his own coaching career.

But he still keeps tabs on his former clubs.

“Southend and Bristol Rovers are the first two results I look for every week,” said Wilson.

“I’ve been to watch the game the last two seasons at the Memorial Stadium as that’s easier for me to get to now.

“Sadly Southend’s woes have been well-documented but Rovers have been on the slide for a while too and I really hope things can start to pick up for them both.”