Tilford was born in Ilkeston, Derbyshire and, after playing for a local village side, he joined First Division Nottingham Forest in May 1924.
Tilford made a total of 55 appearances for Blackpool before being replaced in turn by Stan Ramsay.
Tilford had established himself at left-back when the death of his young daughter in late 1932 caused a loss of form.
Manager Jimmy McIntyre had just agreed to sign Mike Keeping from Southampton and suggested that Tilford should move to The Dell temporarily to help him recover from his loss.
[1] During his short spell with Southampton, Tilford continued to train at Craven Cottage[1] and made only ten appearances for the "Saints".