Steve Tilson, the current Cockney compatible version of the Lord of The Imps can eclipse anything he achieved at Southend, starting with a Cup win against Hereford on Saturday. OK so the Essex lad was born down river from the Bow Bells in Wickford, but his Canvey Island connections (a popular holiday and retirement destination for Londoners) and time building Southend’s Youth set up will serve him well. Swimming upsteam against the River Witham will be easier you feel than his time battling the Medway Estuary.
Tilson of course stepped up to replace Steve Wignall in 2003 to drag Southend back from the jaws of relegation. That same season he inspired a Cup run that saw the Shrimpers go down 0-2 to Blackpool in the final. The following season saw Southend embark on two promotions as well as another Football League Trophy Final defeat, this time to Wrexham, in 2005.
His track record at the School of hard knocks plus some interesting connections will serve him well as he continues to build team spirit. So despite the players refusing to talk to the press and fans leaving in their droves an FA Cup run can and will lighten the mood and turn back the tide at a stormy Sincil Bank. Rest assured there is little wrong with the team spirit with something akin to a siege mentality more the mantra at Carlton Boulevard.
The crafty cockney cherub has the ambition drive and guile to guide the Imps up the table, but he must have the backing of the board, in his quest to land four loan targets. Fortunately Chairman Bob Dorian has promised to give the proceeds of the Cup run to the manager so we need the win to bolster Tilson’s war chest ahead of a pivotal season for the Imps. Then we will get to see the
The fans can play their part too by getting behind the Imps in a tie we could and should have won at the first time of asking. Remember a win on Saturday will put £27,000 into the pot straight away - the wages of a decent striker’s services between now and the end of the season. And that, pardon the pun Hereford fans, is no bull!
Come on Imps this Saturday can and will turn the tide. Then it’s a question of a win over Wycombe and a dream 4th Round glamour tie. And those are rarer than rocking horse dung in Impdom.
UTI Neil
Just the one eye at the moment but there is still plenty to see!