The people of Southend and star names from the soccer world turned out in force to pay tribute to one of their favourite sons -- Steve Tilson -- at Roots Hall last night.

Tilson, 36, has clocked up 274 appearances for Blues during a long, long affiliation with the Shrimpers, having made his first team debut back in 1989, and was rightly finally awarded with a fitting testimonial by the club he loves.

Three amigos - man of ther moment Steve Tilson (right) back with old colleagues Chris Powell and Stan Collymore Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

Tilson must have felt like he had stepped back in time as he ran out for the England XI, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Dennis Wise, Ray Wilkins and Clive Allen, at the ground which has become his second home.

Tilson's defensive support down the left-flank, Chris Powell, returned to reform his partnership with his old team mate in the England XI.

Former Shrimpers boss Barry Fry was also in town, as was undoubtedly Blues' most famous player ever, striker Stan Collymore, who returned to Roots Hall, following spells with Premiership giants Liverpool and Aston Villa, much to the delight of autograph hungry fans.

Rob Newman, sacked by Southend as manager last week, also turned out for the England XI in support of Tilson, and was given a warm reception by the Shrimpers' supporters.

Blues' opponents gave them an early scare when Millwall midfielder Wise flashed a header over the south stand goal after just five minutes.

Barrington Belgrave's appearance came to a premature end after 11 minutes when midfielder Wilkins clattered the Blues forward in front of the Seasiders' dug-out.

And it was Belgrave's replacement, Mark Rawle, who fed Bramble to open the scoring two minutes later, with a crisp 15-yard finish past Brighton's veteran custodian Dave Beasant.

Both Rawle and Southend winger Brett Darby tested Beasant from other openings, before man of the night Tilson netted a stunning 25th minute equaliser.

Wise was the architect, chipping over a pin-point free-kick, which Tilson broke free to meet and stab past a flat-footed Flahavan from a couple of yards.

But it was only a brief respite, as Blues, led by Bramble, hit the ageing Three Lions with a three goal blitz in nine minutes.

Bramble got his second of the night on 29 minutes, crashing an unstoppable volley in off the underside of the crossbar, before finishing off Steven Clark's low cross for his hat-trick three minutes later.

Wideman Clark got in on the act himself on 35 minutes driving through the centre of the park, taking a return pass from Bramble, and dribbling the ball inside the left hand post after dumping Beasant on his backside.

And within another three minutes, Southend grabbed a fifth. Bramble was again the provider, picking out Brett Darby, who burst down the right-hand side of the England penalty area and curled a 12-yard effort inside the near post.

Blues made six changes at half-time, which included a rest for loan Spurs centre-half Ronnie Henry, making his first appearance in a Southend shirt, but they still carried on looking for more goals.

England reduced the heavy deficit on 51 minutes with a goal of the highest quality, when former Spurs and West Ham forward Allen chipped a stunning 35-yard effort over Southend's substitute goalkeeper Danny Gay.

However, Clark conjured up another Southend goal after 55 minutes, supplying Darby with a right-wing pass which the diminutive winger blasted past old Leicester City team mate Flowers.

Rawle completed the rout with two late goals, shooting across Flowers from a tight angle, before intercepting a Wilkins pass in the very last minute before drilling an unstoppable 18-yard effort inside the left post.

Published Tuesday, April 1, 2003

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