Steve Tilson: I want nine players next term

Steve Tilson
By Smithy
May 31 2006

Southend United gaffer Steve Tilson has told the official club website that he is looking for nine fresh faces for the coming season after several key departures over the past few weeks.

The United boss had initially drawn up a list of six key targets this summer following the Blues promotion to the Championship.

However, after three players turned down new contracts to remain at Roots Hall for next season Tilson is now looking to recruit an additional trio of faces.

"When we sat down at the end of the season we were looking at six new signings," he told southendunited.co.uk.

"But we've had a few of our out-of-contract players, who we have offered deals to, turn those down so we will need to bring another couple in to replace those.

"One or two of those who we'd offered contracts to I had a suspicion they'd go elsewhere, so having to get more players in was always going to be the case.

"But we've managed to keep the spine of the team together and now we just need to bring in some more additions to complement that."

So far Mark Bentley and Duncan Jupp have opted to move away from Roots Hall while Wayne Gray has turned down the offer of a new contract.

While news on new arrivals has been slow Tilson hopes to have some more positive news soon.

"We've been talking to a few players and those discussions have gone well.

"At the moment the two key areas are strikers and another goalkeeper as those are the main positions where we are short on numbers."

Story Source: Official Website