BLUES right-back Simon Francis admitted to being “really gutted” by the departure of Steve Tilson.

Francis was signed by Tilson from Sheffield United in the summer of 2006.

And he cannot believe he has now left the club.

“It really has come as a massive shock to me because Steve Tilson was a major reason for so much of the success Southend have enjoyed over the years,” said Francis.

“If anyone could have got us out of League Two then it was him but the chairman has made up his mind and that’s up to him.

“I have nothing but praise for Tilly though and I really think he is a top manager.

“He always had faith in me as a player and I really do owe him an awful lot.”

Francis, who remains keen to quit Roots Hall following last season’s relegation, expected Tilson to remain in charge of Blues.

And the 25-year-old only discovered he was leaving following a phone call from his former Southend team-mate Adam Barrett.

“Ad let me know and then I saw it come up on Sky Sports News,” said Francis, Blues’ player of the year last season.

“I’m still really shocked about it because I just didn’t expect it to happen at all.

“I thought he would remain as the manager for years because he’s a local guy and he turned down chances to go to bigger clubs because he wanted to be a success at Southend.

“To be honest I’m really, really gutted he’s gone.”

FULL STORY IN MONDAY'S ECHO