Meet the Black Country footballers targeting an FA Cup giant-killing double
Curtis Tilt and Tom Tonks grew up so close together the latter reckons he could probably throw a football between their respective houses.
It was on the streets of Walsall’s Bentley estate where they first met, first played together and developed a shared love for the game which endures to this day and has resulted into two very different, yet equally rewarding careers linked by a lifelong friendship.
This weekend finds both preparing for the most high-profile matches they have ever experienced. On Saturday evening Tilt and Salford City take on Premier League champions Manchester City before, on Sunday lunchtime, Tonks’ Tamworth host Tottenham.
Two televised FA Cup third round ties, two best pals aiming to take down a Premier League big gun.
“It is a pretty surreal experience,” reflects Tonks. That might be an understatement.
Certainly, it is a far cry from Bentley West Park where as youngsters they would play for hours, whatever the weather.
“There would be a big group, probably 20 to 25 of us,” recalls Tilt. “We would play singles or doubles, Wembley knockout. It used to get very competitive!
“We would be out in the rain, snow, whatever. As long as we had a ball, we were all happy.”
Tilt and Tonks, who went to different primary schools but then both attended Willenhall School Sports College and played together for Walsall Schoolboys, quickly became close friends.
Completing the trio is Kristian Green, another member of the Bentley estate kickabouts who currently plays for Rushall Olympic in National League North. Through football and life, the trio’s brotherhood has remained unbroken. Their relationship can be best summed up by Green selecting Tilt and Tonks as “joint” best men at his wedding.
“He couldn’t pick one without the other, basically,” laughs Tilt.
There is a certain pub, on the outskirts of Walsall where, should their respective fixture schedules allow, the three meet on Saturday nights for an hour to share their experiences of that afternoon.
“We sit there and talk about our games,” explains Tilt. “If we could have done this better, or that better.
“We argue quite a lot, to be honest! If one thinks the other is in the wrong, we do tell each other. We are hard on each other. But we all have each other’s best interests at heart.”
The hope is this weekend’s debrief will include an FA Cup giant-killing or two, though the experience of these occasions alone ought to be enough to keep the conversation flowing.
