Brian Kilcline

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Personal information
Brian Kilcline
Full name	Brian Kilcline
Date of birth	May 7, 1962 (1962-05-07) (age 46)
Place of birth	Nottingham, England
Playing position	Defender (retired)
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1980–1984 1984–1991 1991–1992 1992–1994 1994–1995 1995–1997 1997–1998	Notts County Coventry City Oldham Athletic Newcastle United Swindon Town Mansfield Town Halifax Town Total	158 0(9) 173 (28) 008 0(0) 032 0(0) 017 0(0) 050 0(3) 002 0(2) 440 (42)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. * Appearances (Goals)

Brian Kilcline (born May 7, 1962 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire) is an English former centre-half with Coventry City, Newcastle United, Notts County, Oldham Athletic, Swindon Town, Mansfield Town and Halifax Town, famous for his long hair and moustache.

Kilcline captained Coventry City in the 1987 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium against Tottenham Hotspur. At the time it was thought that Kilcline was possibly responsible for scoring an own-goal to give Spurs a 2-1 lead on the 40 minute mark, but this goal was eventually acredited to Gary Mabbutt. Kilcline and Mabbutt were to clash again in the second half when, defending in the style he always did, Kilcline ruthlessly brought down a freeflowing Mabbutt with a tough tackle. Kilcline received nothing other than a ticking off by referee Neil Midgley but had to be replaced by substitute Graham Rodger just a minute before then end of normal time due to the injury he himself sustained in the clash. After Coventry's extra time winner (the match finished 3-2) Kilcline limped slowly up the famous Wembley step to receive the trophy for the first time in Coventry's history.

In 1991, Kilcline joined newly promoted Oldham Athletic but his stay at the club was not to be a long one.

When Kevin Keegan became manager of Newcastle United in 1992, "Killer" Kilcline was his first signing, and was immediately installed as club captain. He became known for his hard tackling and aerial ability - he often would prefer a diving header to a volley, even for balls only half a metre off the ground. Keegan later remarked that Kilcline was the most important signing he had ever made for the club. This was echoed by fans, who considered him partially responsible for saving the club from relegation and possible bankruptcy.

During the 1993-94 season, he briefly played for Swindon Town in the Premiership and wore the squad number 31.