Quarry worker who’d dig an Arsenal upset
RUNNING in the shadow of Blackpool’s famous tower, it is only natural that Curtis Tilt has high aspirations. Many a star has passed through this seaside town but tonight the stage is set for Tilt to shine at Bloomfield Road against Arsenal in the FA Cup. An all-action defender, Tilt has drawn interest from Rangers and Ipswich Town. ‘His potential is enormous. He can go as high as he wants,’ said former manager Gary Bowyer. ‘He is unbelievable.’ What makes Tilt so remarkable is that he is 27 and when he signed for Blackpool 18 months ago, they were his first Football League club. He is looking to make up for lost time. ‘I want to go as high as I can, as quick as I can,’ said Tilt. ‘From 16 until 20 I stopped playing. I worked in a quarry digging building sand, driving a wheel loader. ‘Testing myself against Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be brilliant. They are world class and I can’t wait.’ At 6ft 3in and built like a light-heavyweight boxer, it is hard to envisage Tilt being a late developer. ‘I was only little as a kid but I was quite nippy,’ he said. ‘I was a striker and I’d run in behind defenders but really only played Sunday league with my team Pelsall Villa or with mates. I didn’t shoot up until I was 18 to 20.’ It was during this time that he worked in a quarry at Bliss Aggregates, near his native Walsall. ‘Digging building sand, working 10 to 12 hours a day, was heavy going but made me what I am,’ he said. ‘When we are training in the wind and the rain, it can be bitterly cold but I still think back to the quarry — playing football for a living is nowhere near as tough, whatever the weather.’ After he was pushed back into football by friends s and his older brother, ther Tilt’s road to Blackpool has taken in the slightly less exotic venues of Halesowen, Hednesford Town, Telford United and Wrexham. Arriving at Blackpool, the centre back quickly formed a bond with manager Bowyer, who remains a mentor even though he has since left the club. ‘Gary gave me a lot of confidence,’ he said. ‘He improved my short game and helped me believe I could play at a higher level. I owe him a lot. Our boss now, Terry McPhillips, is great but I can always call Gary for advice, too.’ Bowyer left in August soon after Ipswich bid £700,000 for Tilt. The offer was rejected and Tilt put in a transfer request. Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is also keen to test Blackpool’s resolve this month. ‘I’m grateful to the club but I have ambitions to be the best I can be,’ Tilt said. ‘I’ve heard about Rangers and the thought of Steven Gerrard being interested is amazing. It would be great to play for him.’ Blackpool players are all too familiarf with change.cha Ownership disputes,d finances anda rows with fans have become like a soap opera script. ItI is all rather close to home for Tilt, whowh lives mainly at the Bloomfield Road stadium’stdi hotel, rather than commute daily from his family home in Walsall. ‘It’s testing but it brings the group closer together,’ he said. ‘I knock around at the hotel with Jordan Thompson, Paudie O’Connor and Myles Boney. We have our opinions of whatever is unfolding behind the scenes but try to keep it away from the football pitch.’ But this evening that is where the focus will be. A hip injury means a late fitness test for Tilt but he is determined to make this a milestone occasion. ‘These are moments we all dream of,’ he said.