Thank you Steve, for the best 6 years of my Southend supporting life.

[Cricko]

Spot on Tom..I have been contemplating writing a similar post, but in all honesty I am numb ATM with all that has happened these past few weeks...I am still trying to get my head around it all and when the fog clears no doubt I will say my bit.

Truly my love of football and SUFC is at an all time low.

 

[Beefy]

I wonder if the council would name a road somewhere in the Bourough Steve Tilson Way after all he has acheieved as a Player , Coach and Manager of Southend United ?

That is a fantasy thought. There must be some way that we can get some local recognition for Tilly beyond the fanbase of the football club.

 

[Cricko]

That is a fantasy thought. There must be some way that we can get some local recognition for Tilly beyond the fanbase of the football club.

We could call the new Stadium ...The Steve Tilson Stadium..;)

 

[NZamba Legend]

Tilson will be back one day, I'm sure of it. It aint over.

 

[Beefy]

We could call the new Stadium ...The Steve Tilson Stadium..;)

Sadly only if Tilly discovers oil in Wickford and writes RM a cheque for a very large amount of money.

 

[pickledseal]

I wonder if the council would name a road somewhere in the Bourough Steve Tilson Way after all he has acheieved as a Player , Coach and Manager of Southend United ?

Benfleet Road PLEASE.

 

[mattytheshrimper]

steve tilson = Southend Legend

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Well done ACU for starting this thread. Lord knows Sir Steve deserves his own tribute thread.

It may have been a struggle the last couple of years, but the first 5 years were something special, that I'm not sure I'll see the likes of again. To be a Southend fan was no longer a subject of derision, support for the club rose dramatically and I don't think it was just the success we got or the style of football we played, but the fact it was Steve Tilson that did it. He was (and still is) one of us, it made it feel like one big gang. Us the fans, the players, the local hero all together.

So I'd like to say thank you to Steve Tilson. Thanks for rescuing us from the brink & taking us to Cardiff for our first final appearance - an amazing day that at the time I thought would never be repeated. Thanks for taking us back there again a year later. Twice. Thanks for getting us out of the god forsaken bottom tier of football. Thanks for Freddy Eastwood. Thanks for making us Champions. Thanks for celebrating with us. Thanks for leading us back to the promised land of the Championship. Thanks for masterminding dumping the biggest club in england out of the cup. Thanks for two trips to White Hart Lane. Thanks for all the drama of chasing playoff places. Thanks for never giving up and never walking away when things got tough.

Thanks Tilly. A True Blue Forever.

That is a fantasy thought. There must be some way that we can get some local recognition for Tilly beyond the fanbase of the football club.

A fecking big statue, mic in hand singing "are you watching colchester"?

Tilson will be back one day, I'm sure of it. It aint over.

I think / hope so too Namba.

 

[Beefy]

How much would a statue cost? May be something that Trust could look into if we were to move to Fossetts Farm.

 

[pickledseal]

This read is the one that is effecting me most emotionally.

Steve Tilson, the fan's hero.

I really do think we should make sure he gets to read these tributes.... I messaged his sister on Facebook to point her to the group I set up asking her to show Tilly.

Would be nice to collect a whole load of tributes to him and put them in a book or something that could be presented to him. Not sure how to coordinate it though.

 

[jstallan]

A couple of years ago I mentioned to my mate during half time "I wonder how we'd all feel if Steve Tilson left the club? Whether is be a sacking or a resignation for a different club?" For a move to a different club, not a problem as we'd realised what he'd done for the club and naturally we felt that he'd move on at some point. The sacking option was something we'd not even given our opinions to.

Yes it's hard to think that Tilly has gone and looking from the 'outside in' he stayed when others would have walked - for that I admire him. The way he has been treated hasn't been good - the promise of being paid out his contract should be a small consolation, but being paid by a club that has no money is hardly any form of security. I hope RM keeps his word on that and doesn't default - the animosity towards RM will reach new heights should that happen.

After taking time to reflect on the situation I think Tilly leaves with his head held high. It could be worse if he stayed, we had a poor season, faced relegation and sank to new financial lows. Disappointed not to see Ricky Duncan move up, if only to be the new 'assistant', but I will be behind the new guys without feeling disloyal to Tilly remembering the fantastic times over the past 7 years.

 

[Tin Bath]

Excellent post, my Dad first brought me to Roots Hall in 1976 so I have seen my fair share of ups and downs, I was lucky enough to see the match against Liverpool when we had over 31,000 inside Roots Hall (unthinkable today) sadly I was too young to go to Anfield for the replay but I remember later going to Everton some years later, Tilly was part of a team that played Everton off the park in the second half and the home support gave our players a standing oviation at the end, Neville Southall was not fat then and made a brilliant save from Tilly in the second half. If I ignore the last year from the last six as I dont think our relegation was Tilsons fault I have witnessed some fantastic moments home and away from Roots Hall and seen some fantastic players as well, till my time is up I will never forget the night we beat Man Utd and this was a Man Utd team with Ronaldo, Rooney and Evra in the side. If I am honest I dont think i will witness a moment like that again with my team but I choose to support Southend not to be a glory hunter but it was my local team, supported by local people and until recently managed by a local lad. Everyone has a moment they will never ever forget supporting their team and Steve Tilson provided that moment for me and for that I am eternally grateful

 

[pickledseal]

Just so you know, Tilly is definitely going to be shown the Facebook group.

 

[A Century United]

Just so you know, Tilly is definitely going to be shown the Facebook group.

Well done Andy. Tilly should never be left in any doubt about how much he means to the fans of this club.

 

[GrumpyBlue]

Great post ACU

 

[GrumpyBlue]

I'll keep supporting my team, but something will continue to nag me that it's not the same.

Yeah Me too

 

[Csboy]

Been a fan for 34 years Tilson was by far and a way the greatest manager the club has ever had and to top that one of the greatest players we have ever had. Was there through two periods of grestness for Southend as well as some very low points as well. He is only 43 and I am certain he will be back at Roots hall one day soon. We haven't seen the last of Steve Tilson for sure.