Steve Tilson

Stephen Brian Tilson (born 27 July 1966) is an English football manager and former player best known for his time in charge of Southend United, where he was in charge for seven years, overseeing two promotions and later two relegations. In 2014, he was voted Southend United's greatest ever player by fans.[1]

Not to be confused with English singer-songwriter Steve Tilston.

Steve Tilson
Personal information
Full name Stephen Brian Tilson
Date of birth (1966-07-27) 27 July 1966
Place of birth Wickford, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 C & K Basildon Ladies (manager)
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
2010–2011 Lincoln City
2012–2013 Canvey Island
2015–2018 C & K Basildon Ladies
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Born in Wickford, Essex Tilson began his footballing career with non-league sides Basildon United, Bowers United and Witham Town before being signed by then Southend manager David Webb. During the 1990s, Tilson appeared in just under 250 matches and played in the side that won two consecutive promotions in the early part of the decade. Tilson played continually for Southend, except for a loan spell at Brentford, until 1998, when he signed for Canvey Island, serving as club captain during his 4-year spell with the team.

Coaching and management career

Southend United

In 1999, Tilson returned to Southend United as Director of the club's new centre of excellence, the establishment of which was made possible by a grant of £276,000 from the English Sports Council.[2] The post, which enabled him to continue his playing career with Canvey Island, saw him responsible for overseeing and developing all of the centre's teams, raging from the under-9 to 16.[2] Following the departure of David Webb as Southend United's manager in October 2001 and the promotion of Rob Newman from reserve team manager to first team manager, Tilson's role widened to take on Newman's previous duties with the reserve team.[3] In May 2002, he drew time on his five-year career with Canvey Island to join Newman's backroom team on a full-time basis becoming joint assistant manager with Blues' former striker David Crown.[4]

Tilson worked to develop Southend's youth until the sacking of Steve Wignall in November 2003. With the club in danger of relegation to the Football Conference, Tilson was named caretaker-manager by chairman Ron Martin and proceeded to take Southend clear of danger. Also in the same season, Tilson led Southend to the first ever national cup final in the club's history, losing to Blackpool 2–0 in the Football League Trophy Final. In March 2004 Tilson was offered the job of manager on a full-time basis, and accepted the offer.[5]

In the following two seasons, Tilson took Southend to two consecutive promotions from League Two to the Championship. Southend also reached another Football League Trophy Final in 2005, but lost to Wrexham. Tilson's success saw him linked with jobs at West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City, but he remained with Southend. In November 2006, Southend achieved a notable victory over eventual Premier League champions Manchester United in the League Cup,[6] but were relegated from the Championship at the end of the 2006–07 season.

On 3 January 2009, Tilson led Southend to a 1–1 FA Cup third round draw away at Chelsea, with Peter Clarke scoring a very late birthday equaliser. On 28 October 2009, following the club being threatened with administration and on-loan midfielder Lee Sawyer returning to Chelsea, Tilson came out of retirement to play for Southend in the Essex Senior Cup.[7]

On 4 July 2010, Steve Tilson was placed on gardening leave by Southend United, bringing an end to his seven-year reign as manager.[8]

In 2020, Tilson was in the running to return as Southend United manager but ended up not chosen for the role.

Lincoln City

In October 2010, Tilson was appointed the new manager of Lincoln City, replacing Chris Sutton.[9] In his first game Lincoln drew 0–0 but Tilson brought in four promising loan signings, and went on to get a good away result against Wycombe, with many signs of improvement. However, on 7 May 2011, Lincoln were defeated 0–3 by Aldershot, and relegated from the Football League. Following this, he released and transfer listed nearly the whole squad, leaving just 3 players.

Tilson was sacked as manager of Lincoln City on 10 October 2011 following a heavy defeat away at Tamworth.[10]

Steve Tilson now runs a football academy along with former Southend United player Danny Greaves.

Canvey Island

On 12 July 2012 Tilson was appointed manager of Canvey Island.[11] However, after a season in charge Tilson was sacked along with assistant manager Craig Davidson.[12]

C & K Basildon

Tilson was promoted to the position of manager of women's side C & K Basildon in July 2015, having previously been head coach there. At the time of his appointment the club were in the Southern Division of the FA Women's Premier League.[13]


Other

In 2020, Tilson was in the running to return as Southend United manager but ended up not chosen for the role.

References
  1. "#FL125: Tilson a Southend great - southendunited.co.uk". Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  2. "Tilson back to his roots". Echo Newspapers (Essex). 5 July 1999. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  3. "Tilson - 'Why I'm loving stint with reserves'". Echo Newspapers (Essex). 12 February 2002. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  4. "Tilson's Blues return". Echo Newspapers (Essex). 8 May 2002. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  5. "Southend appoint Tilson". BBC Sport. 11 March 2004. Retrieved 1 September 2007.
  6. "Tilson revels in Southend cup win". BBC Sport. 8 November 2006. Retrieved 1 September 2007.
  7. "Blues exit Senior cup". Southend United. 28 October 2009. Archived from the original on 30 October 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  8. "Southend part with manager Steve Tilson". BBC Sport. 4 July 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  9. "Can Steve Tilson make Lincoln City successful again?". BBC Sport. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  10. "Tilson sacked as Lincoln City manager". BBC Sport. 10 October 2011.
  11. "Steve Tilson Appointed First Team Manager!". Canvey Island F.C. 12 July 2012.
  12. "Davidson says he Tilson were "betrayed" by Canvey Island FC". Evening Echo. 13 May 2013.
  13. Chris Phillips (7 July 2015). "Steve Tilson keen to build on World Cup fever after being named new manager of C & K Basildon Ladies". The Echo. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
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