SHRIMPERS SWITCH IS IN HONOUR OF JUSTIN

Coulson follows the path of legendary boss

- Matt Badcock

JOSH COULSON is aiming for a third National League promotion – and he can’t think of a better place to do it than the first club of a big influence in his life, the late Justin Edinburgh.

Non-League new boys Southend United have snapped up double promotion winner Coulson after he left Leyton Orient.

The 32-year-old former England C international brings a wealth of experience and know-how to Roots Hall that boss Phil Brown will be hoping can get the Shrimpers back on the right path again.

The move has added significance for Coulson. The centre back was close to Edinburgh from Leyton Orient.

At his unveiling, he wore a JE3 Foundation badge – the charity set-up by the family to campaign for ‘Justin’s Law’ that will require all sports facilities to have defibrillators, which can help save the life of someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest.

And Coulson couldn’t help but think about his former boss when he put pen to paper.

“That definitely added a little touch on it,” Coulson says. “It’s Justin’s first club. I spoke to Charlie (Edinburgh’s son), Kerry and the family and they were really happy. It’s a little extra touch.

“Even when the contract was all agreed, the medical and signing happened to fall on the two-year anniversary of his passing. It’s like it was meant to be. I get a good feeling from that and look forward to representing that as well.”

There is nothing that can prepare anyone for a tragedy like Edinburgh’s death and Coulson admits it has changed his outlook.