Phil Brown appointed Southend United boss

Southend United have appointed former Hull City boss Phil Brown as their new manager.

The Blues have been without a boss since relieving Paul Sturrock of his duties on Sunday.

However, the club have moved quickly to appoint Brown, who joins with a wealth of managerial experience having guided Hull to the Premier League in 2008.

"I'm delighted to have been given the opportunity here at Southend and it's a challenge I'm really looking forward to," he told the club's official website.

"We've got seven league games between now and the end of the season, hopefully we can put a winning run together and give ourselves a chance of reaching the playoffs.

"We've got a few days of training between now and the game against Bradford that will give me a chance to take a look at the players.

"The Easter period is always tough because you play twice in such a short space of time, but it's a good opportunity to pick up six points and get that winning run started."

Brown's first game in charge will be against Bradford on Friday.