Tilson Given Job

The Shrimpers have simply made the appointment of Tilson, with Paul Brush as his assistant a formality after the former Southend left-sided midfielder was installed as a temporary boss in November. That followed the departure of David Webb, who in turn had been caretaker charge since Steve Wignall’s November 3^rd sacking.

‘Tilly’, as the Shrimpers legend is affectionately known by United supporters, will now have until the managerial reigns until the end of the current campaign, which is rounded off b a Roots Hall finish against Torquay United. The duo will attempt to make the escape from relegation, which has been increasingly likely, final in plenty of time before that clash, whilst also leading the side out at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium for the club’s first-ever national cup final, the LDV Vans Trophy spectacular against Blackpool.

Should the 37-year-old and his former Leyton Orient managing counterpart, Brush, who as his assistant has been integral to the rise in fortunes in the past three-and-a-half months, managed to steer the Seasiders to safety, then there is nothing to suggest that they will not be given the job for another year, although the directors of the club have yet to confirm that this would be the case. Rumours continue to surface that Oxford United boss Ian Atkins could be lured to southeast Essex in the summer.

The appointment also hands the duo the opportunity to sign Lawrie Dudield for Blues after his successful loan spell with the Shrimpers ended last Saturday. Thay have apparently been given until the weekend, when of course United tackle Swansea City in Division Three, to get the striker’s signature, although he revealed last week that he wanted to commit himself to United. Northampton Town have been approached and negotiations continue to settle the dispute, with a monetary term expected to feature should the 23-year-old sign.

We at TLG wish Tilson and Brush every success in the rest of this season, and will continue to support their claims for the management on a permanent basis as we have done throughout their term.

Tilson and Brush – The Full Record

Sat 22 Nov: D3 – Rochdale (h) W4-0

Sat 29 Nov: D3 – Torquay United (a) L0-3

Sat 6 Dec: FAC2 – Lincoln City (h) W3-0

Tue 9 Dec: LDVAQF – Luton Town (h) W3-0

Sat 13 Dec: D3 – Swansea City (a) W3-2

Sat 20 Dec: D3 – Bristol Rovers (h) L0-1

Fri 26 Dec: D3 – Cambridge United (a) W1-0

Sun 28 Dec: D3 – Oxford United (h) L0-1

Sat 3 Jan: FAC3 – Scarborough (h) D1-1

Fri 9 Jan: D3 – Cheltenham Town (a) D1-1

Wed 14 Jan: FAC3R – Scarborough (a) L0-1

Sat 17 Jan: D3 – Doncaster Rovers (h) L0-2

Tue 20 Jan: LDVASF – Queens Park Rangers (h) W4-0

Sat 24 Jan: D3 – Mansfield Town (a) L0-1

Tue 27 Jan: D3 – York City (h) D0-0

Sat 7 Feb: D3 – Cambridge United (h) W1-0

Tue 10 Feb: LDVAF1 – Colchester United (a) W3-2

Sat 14 Feb: D3 – Kidderminster Harriers (h) W3-0

Tue 17 Feb: LDVAF2 – Colchester United (h) D1-1

Sat 21 Feb: D3 – Leyton Orient (a) L1-2

Tue 24 Feb: D3 – Bury (a) D1-1

Sat 28 Feb: D3 – Macclesfield Town (h) W1-0

Wed 3 Mar: D3 – Boston United (a) W2-0

Sat 6 Mar: D3 – Bristol Rovers (a) D1-1

Summary

All Competitions

Played: 24

Won: 11

Drawn: 6

Lost: 7

Scored: 35

Conceded: 20

Division Three

Played: 17

Won: 7

Drawn: 4

Lost: 6

Scored: 19

Conceded: 15

Points: 25

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com