Former Brentford loanee Tilson, who made over 270 appearances for the Roots Hall club during his playing career, revealed to the local newspaper that before he snapped up Grays Athletic front man Freddy Eastwood on a month’s loan, he had failed in an attempt to get a more permanent signing to the southeast Essex side. 
With Lawrie Dudfield (who has netted just twice against Rushden & Diamonds) and Drewe Broughton (yet to open his 2004/5 account) both injured, and Tesfaye Bramble (two goals) and Wayne Gray (a single penalty) – Friday night’s expected partnership - contributing just five goals between them, Tilson has looked to act swiftly to bring in new blood.
Speaking to the Echo today, Tilson declared, “We need to get somebody in who can get us a guaranteed 20-goals-a-season. I know that and we are always looking for someone, but they don’t grow on trees and it’s been hard, but we did make a bid the other day for a player”. However, the move was not successful, despite the club offering cash.
During the summer, the 38-year-old had made a transfer bid for Eastwood outright, but Conference South outfit Grays had asked for too much. He was also unfortunate in his advances towards Scott McGleish, then of local rivals Colchester United, who instead chose to link up with early-season promotion hopefuls Northampton Town.
At the Shrimpers Trust Question & Answer session nearly a month ago, Tilson and Paul Brush revealed that they were interested in Canvey Island hotshot Lee Boylan, but Gulls’ manager Jeff King had not allowed them to speak to the player. Alex Revell, released by Cambridge United in the summer, trialled against Millwall yesterday afternoon but appeared “rusty”.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com