STEVE Tilson still vividly remembers leading the fans’ singing from the stands following Southend United’s League One title winning season.

On this day back in 2006, Blues beat Bristol City 1-0 at Roots Hall to finish top of the table.

And Tilson took to the microphone in the after-match celebrations.

“I remember I ended up singing about Colchester, that was so good,” laughed Tilson.

“It’s not like me at all but it just showed how much of a relief it was because that’s something I would never ever normally do.”

The Shrimpers had been promoted via the League Two play-offs the season before and took that momentum into the 2005/06 campaign.

And, despite being favourites for relegation, Tilson’s team upset the odds to lead the way in League One.

Promotion was secured with a 2-2 draw at Swansea City.

But Tilson was keen to finish off the job and pip Essex rivals Colchester United to the title “We’d already got promoted but we still wanted to go and win the League,” said Tilson.

“I remember it was a sunny day with a big crowd and my main memory is of Wayne Gray scoring to be honest.

“Gary Johnson was manager of Bristol City at the time and I remember going over to shake his hand at the end of the game.

“But it was just a massive relief to finish the season the way we wanted to.

“The previous season we’d gone up through the play-offs but to win the league was just such a good achievement from everyone at the club.”

Blues finished three points clear of second placed Colchester.

And Tilson still feels Gray’s late goal was the perfect way to finish a memorable campaign.

“It was the perfect ending and it was nice for Wayne to score too,” said Tilson.

“Freddy Eastwood got a lot of the limelight and deservedly so because he scored a lot of goals and did ever so well.

“But Wayne was an important player for us and I read the other day he was in the top 10 for the most underrated to have ever played for the club.

“He was an unsung hero in that season really and it was a fantastic way to end it.”

Gray played the final seven minutes of the match in place of Shaun Goater who was making the last appearance of his career.

And Goater’s farewell added to the occasion.

“I remember bringing Shaun off so he could get the applause and a lot of Man City fans had come to the game for him too, “said Tilson.

“It was an emotional day for him and a memorable one for us all.”

But Tilson does still not know why the Shrimpers wore white “I haven’t got a clue and I don’t know why we wore that,” said Tilson.

“Maybe we threw it all into the crowd at Swansea. I honestly can’t remember.”