Ex-Blues goalkeeper Kevin Poole has still been turning out on a regular basis this season for Conference outfit Burton Albion at the age of 43.

Poole answered Burton boss Nigel Clough's SOS call just two days before the start of the season and ended up being voted the Brewers' Player of the Season as the Staffordshire side just missed out on the play-offs.

The amiable Midlander is also still involved with Blues, helping to coach the club's up-and-coming goalkeepers on two nights a week.

We caught up with Kevin to find out more about his work with the Academy and look back on playing days at St. Andrew's.

But we began by asking him about his memories of his time with Leicester City, which is where he played nearly half of his 420 professional games to-date after starting his career at Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.

"In my first season at Leicester I got injured in the last league game so missed out on a Wembley appearance in the play-off final, which we lost to Blackburn" he says.

"But I made up for that with three appearances in play-off finals - we won two and lost one.

"In the last of those play-off finals against Crystal Palace in 1996 I made one of my best ever saves when Bruce Dyer hit a shot and it seemed to be going into the top corner.

"I got a finger to it and just managed to tip it over. Otherwise we would have gone 2-1 down with only a few minutes left. We ended up winning with a goal from Steve Claridge in the last minute of extra time.

"We also won the Coca Cola Cup during my there, although I was on the bench that day.

"So overall it was a successful six years and I had some really enjoyable times at Leicester."

Moving on to his playing days at St. Andrew's, between August 1997 and October 2001, Poole has some equally good memories.

"I had a great time there, the high point and the low point I suppose was reaching the Worthington Cup final against Liverpool but it was a real shame we didn't go on to win it," he says.

"I also played in the play-offs against Watford and took a penalty and managed to score, so that sticks in my mind."

Although ultimately it was a night of heartbreak for Poole and his Blues team mates as the Hornets progressed to the Wembley final after winning 7-6 on spot-kicks.

"It is gut-wrenching to lose in the play offs," he admits.

"You work so hard all season to get there and then your season rests on just two games.

"It is heart-breaking not to get through, although Blues finally made it the year after I left."

It was during his playing days at St. Andrew's that Poole first started to get involved on the coaching side, training the club's Academy goalkeepers.

"I've been doing it for six years now and it's a role that I really enjoy," he says.

"I like working with the kids and giving something back to the game

"We've got one or two really talented lads coming through, in particular a lad called Dean Lyness, who has played for the England under-16 side this season.

"He's done ever so well and I think he has a real chance of making a good career out of the game.

"He's not the biggest of goalkeepers but he is very agile, has good communication skills and his all round game is excellent."

Returning to the subject of his own playing career, Poole admits that he has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to turn out on a regular basis for Burton.

And the Pirelli Stadium fans were equally appreciative of his efforts as he was voted as the season's best performer by the club's home and away followers.

"I've really enjoyed myself this season and it was a bit unexpected for me to pick up the awards that I got," he admits.

"When I spoke to Nigel before the start of the season I couldn't have imagined I'd end up playing 50 games for the club.

"He asked me to come in for a couple of games to help out and then it turned into a month and then until Christmas and I ended up agreeing to stay until the end of the season."

As he prepares to celebrate his 44th birthday, Poole is unsure whether he will still be playing next season even though Clough is keen to retain his services.

"Nigel has asked me what my situation is for next season and I've told him that I am in line for another coaching job so I want to wait and see what the outcome of that is and I will let him know from there," he adds.

"Hopefully it should all be sorted out one way or another in the next month or so."