| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony Neil James Pilkington[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 6 June 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Blackburn, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Playing position | Winger/Forward | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Norwich City | ||
| Number | 12 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2003–2004 | Preston North End | ||
| 2004–2005 | Manchester United | ||
| 2005–2006 | Blackburn Rovers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2006 | Atherton Collieries | 35 | (19) |
| 2006–2009 | Stockport County | 80 | (17) |
| 2009–2011 | Huddersfield Town | 92 | (19) |
| 2011– | Norwich City | 16 | (5) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2008 | Republic of Ireland U-21 | 1 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 2 January 2012. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Anthony Neil James Pilkington (born 6 June 1988 in Blackburn, Lancashire) is an English professional football player. He plays for Norwich City, and plays on either wing or as a forward.
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Born in Blackburn, Pilkington spent time with the youth systems of Preston North End, Manchester United and home town club Blackburn Rovers. He joined Stockport County on 15 December 2006, from Atherton Collieries, where he made his name scoring a hat-trick against F.C. United of Manchester and signed initially on a short term contract at Edgeley Park,[2] and made an instant impact on the team, scoring three goals in his first four games for the club, including two against Shrewsbury Town at Gay Meadow. Pilkington then played a big part in County's record breaking run of results during January and February 2007.
He continued to help Stockport's push for the playoffs by scoring a further two goals in a season which saw County miss out on the play-offs only on goal-difference.
He scored the second goal for Stockport and assisted the third in their 3–2 win over Rochdale at Wembley Stadium. He also picked up the official man-of-the-match award as they were promoted to League One.
In January 2008, his brother Danny also signed for Stockport.
On 23 January 2009, he was signed by fellow League One side Huddersfield Town on a three-and-a-half-year contract. He made his debut in the 1–0 defeat by Yeovil Town at Huish Park on 27 January 2009. On 3 March, he scored his first league goal for Huddersfield against Colchester United at the Galpharm Stadium. The match ended 2–2. His first away goal for the Terriers came in the 2–1 win against Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium on 31 March 2009.
Pilkington started the 2009–10 season well, scoring on the opening day of the season against Southend United when Huddersfield were two goals down to make it 2–1, they eventually drew the game 2–2. He then scored two more in the second round of the Football League Trophy in a 3–3 draw with Chesterfield, eventually losing on penalties. His second league goal came in a 2–1 away loss at Charlton Athletic with a 30 yard free kick just before half time.
Pilkington was a regular in the Huddersfield team throughout the 2009–10 season, only missing one league game all season. He made 45 league appearances with a further five coming in cup competitions, scoring seven league goals as Huddersfield made a play-off semi-final, with a further two goals coming in the Football League Trophy.
Pilkington was a fans favouite and the fans often sung "Pilks, Pilks will tear you apart again" Pilkington had a good relationship with the Huddersfield fans.
In the 2–1 home win over Rochdale, on 8 March 2011, Pilkington suffered a dislocated left ankle as well as a break to the fibula bone above the ankle.[3] On 30 June, the club announced that Pilkington had declared his intention to leave following their failure to win promotion from League One.[4]
Pilkington joined Norwich City on 6 July 2011 and signed a three-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.[5] The fee was reported to be around £2 million but rising to £3 million with add-ons.[6][7]
He made his first appearance since his injury in the 1–1 friendly draw versus Real Zaragoza on 3 August 2011, coming off the bench to replace Bradley Johnson. Pilkington made his competitive Norwich debut in the opening day Premier League 1–1 draw at Wigan Athletic, replacing Steve Morison.[8] Pilkington's first Norwich goal came on 17 September 2011, in a 2–1 win against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.[9] Pilkington scored a double in the 3–1 win over Swansea City at Carrow Road on 15 October 2011.[10]
He received a call-up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad in October 2008; not knowing he was eligible to play for Republic of Ireland national sides until a scout enquired of his availability. He qualifies through his paternal grandmother from Dublin but has not yet declared his national side, so may still play for the English national team despite playing for the Republic of Ireland under-21s. He played in the 3–0 away victory over Lithuania, where he impressed and even hit the woodwork.[11] Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli were reported to have been keeping an eye on him ahead of Ireland's participation in UEFA Euro 2012.[12]
Pilkington has a younger brother, Danny who plays for York City[13]
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