Steve Tilson has won the race to become the new manager of Lincoln City FC, signing a contract which will run until the summer of 2013.
The former Southend boss has shrugged off competition believed to be from the likes of ex-Doncaster chief Dave Penney and ex-Imps player and manager turned football pundit Steve Thompson.
Assisted by Paul Brush, he will begin his new job on Monday, October 18th. That means that City caretaker manager Scott Lindsey will continue his headship of the team for this Saturday’s trip to Shrewsbury.
The fans’ favourite for the job is going to inherit a club that is in a similar position to that of Southend United when he entered the fray in 2003. Tilson, who made just shy of 250 league appearances for the Shrimpers, mainly in the nineties, was drafted in as caretaker boss at a club whose Football League survival was threatened.
Not only did the 44-year-old guide the team to safety, but he also led them on a cup run to the final of the Football League Trophy—the Essex side’s first major cup final. Southend were beaten by Blackpool in the end, but Tilson had done enough to earn himself a permanent deal at Roots Hall.
What followed was nothing short of magnificent as Tilson achieved back-to-back promotions with the club to achieve Championship status. The club managed to last a couple of seasons in the second tier of English football before being relegated in the 2006-07 season—a season which saw Tilson mastermind a win over Manchester United in the League Cup.
After their relegation Southend were faced with financial worries, meaning that Tilson’s ability to manage was significantly handicapped. Another relegation to League Two followed, and in July 2010 Tilson was placed on gardening leave after a unanimous decision by the Shrimpers’ board.
In all Tilson won 118 of his 304 matches in charge of the club, giving him an impressive win percentage of almost 39%.
The Linc will have more reaction to the appointment after Monday’s press conference when Tilson will be unveiled to the press.