The former Doncaster Rovers and Colchester United manager called the defender, who can play right across the back four as well as in the centre of midfield, into his Roots Hall office on Wednesday afternoon, where a one-year deal was written out. Wilson contacted the southeast Essex side yesterday afternoon to verbally agree to the deal, and BBC Essex now report that the 24-year-old has signed and sealed the contract. The deal is subject to today’s medical, which had already been arranged.
Wilson played a part in both of the Shrimpers pre-season friendlies, coming on as a second-half substitute to play forty-five minutes against Ipswich Town ten days ago and then featuring in the closing stages of Blues’ 1-0 defeat to Kent side Gillingham on Tuesday evening. On both occasions he replaced Jamie Stuart, who is suspended for the first three games of the season having been sent off in Bury’s play-off semi-final first leg draw with AFC Bournemouth. Neil Jenkins’ torn hamstring means that he is unable to replace the former Charlton man, and although Wilson is believed to be more comfortable at right-back, he should slot in well on the left-hand side.
Talking to the club's official website, www.southendunited.co.uk, he commented, "It's great to have signed. There's a great set-up here and I'm really looking forward to the start of the season in two weeks' time". He continued to thank manager Steve Wignall, who has handed him a return to League football, saying, "To be given a contract here is fantastic and I want to do as well as I can and repay the manager for giving me this chance".
Wilson was born in Ely, Cambridgeshire in January 1979, and started his career at Norfolk club Norwich City as a trainee. After 22 League appearances for the Carrow Road side he was transferred to Bristol Rovers in the summer of 2000. At The Memorial Ground, Wilson was made captain in his second season, and he went on to make nearly 100 appearances for the Pirates before the financial crisis caused by ITV Digital led to his release. He was chased for a time by ex-Shrimpers chief Rob Newman, but eventually in 2002 he joined non-League outfit Cambridge City, making 27 appearances before coming to Roots Hall on trial on June 26th.
The club are still waiting to hear from goalkeeper Ryan Robinson, midfielder Leke Odunsi and forward Michael Husbands as to whether they will accept.
Che Wilson Factfile
Position: Defender
Nationality: English
Age 24 (Born: Ely; 17th January 1979)
Height: 5ft 10ins
Weight: 11st 12lbs
Career (134 matches, plus as 9 substitute, 0 goals):
Norwich City (1st August 1996-6th July 2000) – 19(6) games, 0 goals
Bristol Rovers(6th July 2000-26th April 2002) – 90(2) games, 0 goals
Cambridge City (1st August 2002-31st May 2003) - 25(1) games, 0 goals
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com