Fred Tilson is a Manchester City legend, in the 1930s he played 264 games for the club, scoring 110 goals along the way. The last time (not including 2011) Manchester City won the FA Cup was in 1934 against Portsmouth, City had been trailing by a goal to nil at half time and City goalkeeper Frank Swift blamed himself for giving Portsmouth the lead. Tilson, in an attempt to console the young keeper told him “not to worry because he would score a couple in the second half”. He was true to his word and City went on to win 2-1 with Tilson netting both goals. Still to this day, Tilson holds the club record for the most goals in the FA Cup for Manchester City with a whopping 22. But that was then and this is now…
Fred Tilson
Ladies and Gentlemen I would like to introduce you all to Fred Tilson’s grandson and Mancunian of the Year for 2009/10, Carl Tilson. Carl is a lifelong Manchester City fan and one of the most inspirational people you will ever meet. Carl has a condition known as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) which is a recessive X-linked form of muscular dystrophy, which results in muscle degeneration, difficulty walking, breathing and is a terminal illness. The incidence is 1 in 3000. Only males are affected, though females can be carriers. The disorder is caused by a mutation in the dystrophin gene, located in humans on the X chromosome. You may have seen Carl around before, either at the City of Manchester Stadium on a match day or on the MCFC website. You can see his Manchester City website video interview here.
Carl Tilson with Mike Summerbee
Carl achieved his goal of being named Mancunian of the Year by beating off a host of celebrities, having been the only non-celebrity in a category of 24 nominees. Polling nearly a third of the votes cast by the public, Carl finished ahead of Take That singer Gary Barlow who got 25%t, Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs (haha) and Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle came joint third with 14% each. A real achievement for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy awareness and Carl would like to thank everyone who supported him. Carl is constantly working to help improve the life of future DMD sufferers and hopes to one day find a treatment, having helped to raise around £100,000 for his Action Duchenne charity, Carl has also directly urged the Prime Minister and health ministers to fund trials into finding a cure.
Carl Tilson with Vincent Kompany, Adam Johnson & Joleon Lescott
We have asked Carl a series of questions about Manchester City, after all, his grandfather was one of the best so he should know a thing or two about football…
"Andy: Sum up Manchester City last season in three words.
Carl: Frustrating, Emotional & Exhilarating!
Andy: Which performance would you say defined Manchester City last season?
Carl: I would say the performance against Manchester United in the FA cup semi-final was what defined our favouritism in the FA Cup final, it gave us the confidence to go out there and win the cup against Stoke.
Andy: Mark Hughes type football or Roberto Mancini’s?
Carl: Both managers approaches to the game combined would be the answer.
Andy: Who was Manchester City’s best player last season?
Carl: Nigel De Jong was my pick of the year, he has been solid in the middle of the park.
Andy: What expectations do you have of Manchester City this year?
Carl: An improvement would be what I expect and I suspect during the transfer window we will buy 2 or 3 new players to help us progress in the Champion’s League, I expect us to win more silverware this season. I want us to beat Manchester United both home and away.
Andy: Which one player would you realistically like Manchester City to sign?
Carl: Realistically anything is possible, we have the ambition and money so I would like to see City go in for Lionel Messi.
Andy: Who has the most to prove this coming season at Manchester City?
Carl: In my opinion Mario Balotelli has the most to prove, I believe his tantrums and unprofessional behavior on and off the field holds him back to the point where his attitude outweighs his talents. Great player, just needs to calm down.
Andy: Which team do you look forward to playing the most & why?
Carl: Manchester United, because it’s the battle of the city and bragging rights are presented to the winning team. It’s the most important none trophy game of the season.
Andy: Which team do you hate playing the most & why?
Carl: I don’t hate playing any team, every game is an opportunity to gain more points. We have got to take every game as it comes.
Andy: Who is your favorite player of all time?
Carl: Shaun Wright-Phillips because of how much talent and pace he has despite his small size.
Andy: Premier League or Champions League?
Carl: Champions League.
Andy: Talk a little about your regular match day experience at the City of Manchester stadium.
Carl: I have a season ticket where I sit in the disabled bay on level 2 of the Colin Bell stand. We park inside the ground so not there's much walking distance to the entrance. I have a great view of the pitch but the only negative is when everyone stands up I can’t see anything so I have to watch the highlights on the big screen.
Andy: Do you look out for the results of any other teams in particular & why?
Carl: I look out for the results of the teams directly above us and below us. I mostly look at the results of Manchester United to see if we can keep up with them on points.
Andy: Who do you think will be relegated from the Premier League this season?
Carl: That’s a difficult question, I think the new teams that have been promoted may find it very hard to keep up. My prediction at the moment is Swansea City, West Brom and Norwich City to go down.
Andy: Sum up what it is like to be a Manchester City fan in three words.
Carl: Devotion, Unique & Revolutionary.
Andy: Name three things Manchester City could improve (other than the playing squad).
Carl: The academy could be drastically improved, we used to have the best academy in the country with the best young English players coming through. We could improve how the fans interact with the players, open training session should be held like they were under Keegan. They could expand the stadium to increase revenue.
Andy: Finally, what’s it like being related to a Manchester City legend like Fred Tilson?
Carl: I feel part of the family at Manchester City, I’m very proud of my grandfathers legacy and achievements. If I was not disabled I would have liked to have carried on his legacy, however that didn’t happen but I feel I have made a legacy of my own with my campaign work. I still have the “never say die attitude” and with the determination of my granddad I hope to be here for many years to come."
Carl: Frustrating, Emotional & Exhilarating!
Andy: Which performance would you say defined Manchester City last season?
Carl: I would say the performance against Manchester United in the FA cup semi-final was what defined our favouritism in the FA Cup final, it gave us the confidence to go out there and win the cup against Stoke.
Andy: Mark Hughes type football or Roberto Mancini’s?
Carl: Both managers approaches to the game combined would be the answer.
Andy: Who was Manchester City’s best player last season?
Carl: Nigel De Jong was my pick of the year, he has been solid in the middle of the park.
Andy: What expectations do you have of Manchester City this year?
Carl: An improvement would be what I expect and I suspect during the transfer window we will buy 2 or 3 new players to help us progress in the Champion’s League, I expect us to win more silverware this season. I want us to beat Manchester United both home and away.
Andy: Which one player would you realistically like Manchester City to sign?
Carl: Realistically anything is possible, we have the ambition and money so I would like to see City go in for Lionel Messi.
Andy: Who has the most to prove this coming season at Manchester City?
Carl: In my opinion Mario Balotelli has the most to prove, I believe his tantrums and unprofessional behavior on and off the field holds him back to the point where his attitude outweighs his talents. Great player, just needs to calm down.
Andy: Which team do you look forward to playing the most & why?
Carl: Manchester United, because it’s the battle of the city and bragging rights are presented to the winning team. It’s the most important none trophy game of the season.
Andy: Which team do you hate playing the most & why?
Carl: I don’t hate playing any team, every game is an opportunity to gain more points. We have got to take every game as it comes.
Andy: Who is your favorite player of all time?
Carl: Shaun Wright-Phillips because of how much talent and pace he has despite his small size.
Andy: Premier League or Champions League?
Carl: Champions League.
Andy: Talk a little about your regular match day experience at the City of Manchester stadium.
Carl: I have a season ticket where I sit in the disabled bay on level 2 of the Colin Bell stand. We park inside the ground so not there's much walking distance to the entrance. I have a great view of the pitch but the only negative is when everyone stands up I can’t see anything so I have to watch the highlights on the big screen.
Andy: Do you look out for the results of any other teams in particular & why?
Carl: I look out for the results of the teams directly above us and below us. I mostly look at the results of Manchester United to see if we can keep up with them on points.
Andy: Who do you think will be relegated from the Premier League this season?
Carl: That’s a difficult question, I think the new teams that have been promoted may find it very hard to keep up. My prediction at the moment is Swansea City, West Brom and Norwich City to go down.
Andy: Sum up what it is like to be a Manchester City fan in three words.
Carl: Devotion, Unique & Revolutionary.
Andy: Name three things Manchester City could improve (other than the playing squad).
Carl: The academy could be drastically improved, we used to have the best academy in the country with the best young English players coming through. We could improve how the fans interact with the players, open training session should be held like they were under Keegan. They could expand the stadium to increase revenue.
Andy: Finally, what’s it like being related to a Manchester City legend like Fred Tilson?
Carl: I feel part of the family at Manchester City, I’m very proud of my grandfathers legacy and achievements. If I was not disabled I would have liked to have carried on his legacy, however that didn’t happen but I feel I have made a legacy of my own with my campaign work. I still have the “never say die attitude” and with the determination of my granddad I hope to be here for many years to come."
If you are interested in donating to the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy cause or would like to find out more, you can visit Carl's website at www.adtilson.com. Please leave your comments in the comments section below.
Carl has Twitter so why not go and support him? His username is @ActionTilson and I know he will more than happy say hello!
