Source: FOOTYMAD
UPDATE: Southend United: Tilly gone
In shock news Sunday afternoon Southend United manager Steve Tilson time in charge of the team was over after he was placed on gardening leave. Martin: 'In the early years 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. A sad day for the club and more on Steve Tilson, a great bloke as well as the best manager Southend United have had, later on.
