SOUTHEND United legend Spencer Prior is certain Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth’s preparations for his latest play-off final will be far more professional than his last.

Prior roomed with Ainsworth ahead of Cardiff City’s Division Two final with QPR back in 2003.

And the pair of them ended up playing an unusual game of golf on the eve of the clash at the Millennium Stadium.

“I roomed with Gareth but we got bored and couldn’t sleep the night before our final so we ended up going out onto the golf course where we staying,” said Prior, who now lives in Australia.

“It was about midnight though so we obviously didn’t have any clubs so we just had to throw the balls around the course.

“I think we managed about five holes and it was hilarious. Gaz is a really funny lad who I have a lot of time for.

"The job he has done with Wycombe makes him one of the managers of the season but, despite all that, of course I’m going to be cheering for Southend.

“They’re my home-town team who I definitely don’t see as a League Two club so I’ll be watching the game here, around midnight, hoping to see Southend win.”

Prior, a former Greensward School pupil, enjoyed two separate spells with the Shrimpers during his illustrious career, winning a joint club record of four promotions.

But it was promotion via the League Two play-offs, back in 2005, which remains the former centre-back’s favourite.

“It was my first season back at Southend and, in truth, I had had enough of football before returning under Steve Tilson,” said Prior, who made a combined total of 245 games for Blues.

“It was a fantastic day and I hope Southend have another one this weekend because looking on from afar I’ve been disappointed how the club have evolved in the past few years despite the vision they have.”

And Prior was also concerned to see the celebrations which followed the Shrimpers’ semi-final triumph against Stevenage.

“I mean this in the nicest possible way but the players haven’t achieved anything yet,” said the 44-year-old.

“We certainly didn’t celebrate like that when we won our semi-final against Northampton in 2005 and I was a bit worried to see that.

“But I’m sure Phil Brown said the same when they went back into the dressing room after the game and he will be using that Morecambe game on the final day of the season, when they missed out on a top three finish, to fire them up.”