Martin: 'With Tilly the club enjoyed some of its greatest achievements'
Even though Steve Tilson still has one-year left on his current deal with the Shrimpers, he will leave the club after a meeting with chairman Ron Martin on Sunday.
The 43-year-old, who was confirmed as manager in March 2004 following a spell in caretaker charge, was unable to prevent the side from being relegated from League One last term.
And even though the chairman's bizzare financial handling of the club had a lot to do with that slump, as the person who pays the wages, at times, he has decided to make Tilly the scapegoat.
Shrimpers supremo Ron Martin told www.southendunited.co.uk: "This has been the hardest decision during my time in football. Steve and I have had a very good relationship and one of the longest in the Football League. In the early years, and during what people refer to as the `Eastwood Era', the club enjoyed some of its greatest achievements. Whilst a difficult decision it was nevertheless one that was unanimous with the board who wish to sincerely thank Steve for his contribution over the years. We now have much work to do which will start in earnest first thing Monday morning.
Tilly`s successor is expected to be announced at a press conference on Monday morning.
While this will come as a massive shock to all Southend supporters, the writing was on the wall after Mr. Martin's 'I saw little fight' speech about Tilly at the end of last season, on Friday afternoon.
However hard it was for Ron Martin to sack Tilly, he couldn't help himself and quotes the 'Eastwood era', as if it was just Freddy's goals that brought that success.
The shock is still deep at S24, the editor and myself were in contact wondering if we wanted to carry on, but obviously the club is more than one man, and that includes Mr. Martin though we wonder if he understands that, and of course we wish the new appointment, Paul Sturrock, the best of luck.
However, our thoughts in this article, and many that will follow, will be with Steve Tilson; a great bloke, a bloody good manager, and one who deserved better than the eventual manner of his dismissal.
Good Luck Steve, a true Shrimpers legend.
The Tilson Files
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Stephen Brian Tilson | ||
| Date of birth | 27 July 1966 (1966-07-27) | ||
| Place of birth | Wickford, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1986-1988 | Witham Town | ||
| 1988-1998 | Southend United | 239 | (26) |
| 1994 | → Brentford (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 1998-2002 | Canvey Island | 143 | (58) |
| 2002-2004 | Southend United | 4 | (0) |
| Total | 388 | (84) | |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2003-2010 | Southend United | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Tilson)