Tillson signs to bolster midfield options
Exeter loanee arrives to replace injured Atangana for rest of season,
CHELTENHAM Town have signed defensive midfielder Jordan Tillson on loan from Exeter City until the end of the season.
The 25-year-old becomes boss Michael Duff’s fourth loan addition of the January transfer window, following Cameron Pring (Bristol City), Billy Waters (Northampton Town) and Charlie Raglan (Oxford United), as well as turning Tyrone Barnett’s temporary switch from Port Vale into a contract until the summer.
Duff has been looking to strengthen the centre of the pitch since Nigel Atangana suffered a season-ending Achilles injury at Crawley Town on January 5.
Tillson said: “Speaking to Michael, he sold the idea of coming here quite easily. I’m looking forward to getting started and playing some games.
“I’m looking forward to experiencing something different in a new environment - meeting new people - it’ll be nice to see the change.”
Bath-born Tillson started out in the youth set-up at Bristol Rovers and spent time at the Nike Academy.
But has spent the whole of his senior professional career on the books of Exeter, also appearing on loan for Gloucester City, Chippenham Town and Weston-super-mare.
He was an important part of the Grecians team that reached the League Two play-off final last term, losing out 3-1 to Coventry City at Wembley after beating Lincoln City in the semi-finals.
It was the second year in a row they had missed out on promotion, losing to Blackpool the previous season with Tillson appearing in the semi-final victory over Carlisle United, having missed three months of the campaign with a fractured ankle.
He is the son of former QPR and Bristol Rovers defender Andy, who played against Cheltenham for Rushden & Diamonds in the 2002 Division Three play-off final at the Millennium Stadium and is now part of the coaching staff at St James Park.
Tillson’s contract at Exeter is due to expire at the end of the season.
A Cheltenham Town reserve team including Johnny Mullins, Manny Duku and January signings Cameron Pring and Billy Waters drew 0-0 with Bristol Rovers at Seasons in the Central League on Tuesday afternoon.