George Pilkington

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the football fullback, see George Pilkington (footballer born 1926). For the English doctor and Liberal politician, see George Augustus Pilkington.
George Pilkington

Pilkington playing for Luton Town in 2011
Personal information
Full nameGeorge Edward Pilkington[1]
Date of birth (1981-11-07) 7 November 1981[1]
Place of birthRugeley, England
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current clubMansfield Town
Number27
Youth career
Stone Dominoes
000?–1998Everton
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1998–2003Everton0(0)
2002–2003→ Exeter City (loan)7(0)
2003–2008Port Vale224(11)
2008–2012Luton Town142(11)
2012–Mansfield Town4(0)
2013→ Forest Green Rovers (loan)8(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:40, 19 October 2013 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

George Edward Pilkington (born 7 November 1981) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for League Two side Mansfield Town.

He started his career at Everton 1998, staying at the club for five years without ever making a first team appearance. In 2002 he enjoyed a short loan spell at Exeter City. In 2003 he signed with Port Vale, a club where he spent another five years; this time as a key member of the first team, he was made Player of the Year in 2005–06. After making around 250 appearances for the club, he moved on to Luton Town. After a faulty start due to injuries he managed to become the rock in the Luton defence, and helped the club to win the 2009 Football League Trophy and was voted Player of the Season in 2009–10. He switched to Mansfield Town in June 2012, and won the Conference Premier title in 2012–13. He joined Forest Green Rovers on loan in August 2013.

Career

Everton

Born in Rugeley, Staffordshire, Pilkington started his career at Stone Dominoes.[2] He later became a trainee at Everton's Finch Farm, but did not make a first-team appearance for the club. He was sent on loan to Exeter City in November 2002 and played in twelve games, including in the FA Cup against Premier League side Charlton Athletic, which Exeter lost 3–1. He was released by Everton at the end of the 2002–03 season.

Port Vale

Pilkington signed for Brian Horton's Port Vale in June 2003.[3] He became one of the first names on the first eleven during his first season, making 49 appearances in the 2003–04 campaign. At the end of the season, he and fellow rising star Billy Paynter signed long-term contracts at Vale Park.[4]

On 17 September 2004 he saw his first red card at Brentford, during a 2–0 defeat.[5] However he was generally productive again in 2004–05, as new manager Martin Foyle selected Pilkington for 48 appearances over all competitions.

The 2005–06 saw Pilkington make 53 appearances, as he became an ever-presence in the league. On 29 April 2006 he scored twice in ten minutes to end his thirty month goal drought in a 3–1 victory over Chesterfield.[6] He signed a new two-year contract the following month, after which he was named club captain, following the departure of Tony Dinning.[7] Vale fans voted him Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year.[8]

The 2006–07 season was a 'topsy-turvy' campaign, as Pilkington captained his side to a mid-table finish, with a decent League Cup run to boast about – besting Championship sides Preston North End, Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City – before taking Premier League Tottenham Hotspur to extra time.[9] Once again he was an ever-present player, with 53 appearances to his name.

The 2007–08 was a disaster for the club and the player, as new manager Lee Sinnott stripped Pilkington of the captain's armband, and led the club to relegation into League Two.[10] Despite this, Pilkington said he was keen to stay at the club,[11] though it was soon decided that he would leave the club in the summer.[12] He had made over 250 appearances for the club.[12]

Luton Town

Pilkington joined Luton Town on a free transfer in August 2008.[13] A series of recurring injuries picked up throughout the season limited Pilkington's playing chances, though he returned for the final run-in of games on 17 March 2009. Pilkington played in the Luton side that beat Scunthorpe United 3–2 in the Football League Trophy final at Wembley Stadium.[14] However he suffered relegation for his second successive season, as Luton lost their Football League status.

The next season, in which Luton contested their football in the Conference Premier, saw Pilkington play in every league game. He also scored his first goals for the club, accumulating six in total, and won four end-of-season awards, including Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year.[15] At the end of the season, Pilkington signed a two-year extension to his contract, keeping him at Luton until 2012,[16] and was named as club captain for the 2010–11 season.[17] He played 56 games in the campaign, helping his team to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy and to the Conference play-off final; he scored a penalty in the final's shoot-out, held at the City of Manchester Stadium, but AFC Wimbledon won 4–3 to deny Luton a place in the Football League. Pilkington was given the Players' Player of the Year award, and was also named as man-of-the-match more than other Luton player that season.[18]

He missed the start of the 2011–12 season due to injury, but returned to the first team in October, and played 33 league games to help the club to secure the fifth place play-off position. He converted a penalty at the Racecourse Ground to give Luton a 3–2 aggregate victory over Wrexham.[19] He played in the Wembley final itself, but was powerless to stop York City finishing as 2–1 winners.[20]

Mansfield Town

In June 2012, Pilkington signed for Mansfield Town, who finished above Luton in the Conference Premier the previous season, but also lost in the play-offs.[21] Manager Paul Cox described the signing as "a major coup for the club".[21] Mansfield won promotion into the Football League as Conference champions in 2012–13, though Pilkington was the club's "forgotten man" with only four appearances to his name.[22]

In August 2013, Pilkington joined Conference side Forest Green Rovers in a two-month loan deal.[23] He made his debut at The New Lawn on 10 August in an 8–0 win over Hyde.[24] He made a further seven appearances before being recalled following an injury crisis at Mansfield.[25]

Career statistics

As of match played 19 October 2013.
Season Club Division League FA Cup League Cup Other[26] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
2002–03[27]EvertonPremier League0000000000
2002–03[27]Exeter City (loan)Third Division70400010120
Total 0000000000
2003–04[28]Port ValeSecond Division441301010491
2004–05[29]League One430201020480
2005–06[30]462501010532
2006–07[31]466104020536
2007–08[32]452311010503
Total 22411141807025312
2008–09[33]Luton TownLeague Two180102010220
2009–10[34]Conference Premier466600010536
2010–11[35]454500060564
2011–12[36]331200061412
Total 142111402014117212
2012–13[37]Mansfield TownConference Premier4000000040
2013–14[38]League Two0000000000
2013–14[38]Forest Green Rovers (loan)Conference Premier8000000080
Total 4000000040
Career total 3852232110022144923

Honours

Individual

Luton Town

Mansfield Town

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 334. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0. 
  2. ↑ "Bowers looking for footie fanatic to take over his Dominoes legacy". The Sentinel. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012. 
  3. ↑ "Vale land Pilkington". BBC Sport. 24 June 2003. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  4. ↑ "Duo boost Port Vale". BBC Sport. 4 March 2004. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  5. ↑ "Brentford 1–0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 17 September 2004. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  6. ↑ "Port Vale 3–1 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 29 April 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  7. ↑ "Pilkington is handed Vale armband". BBC Sport. 26 May 2006. Retrieved 1 June 2008. 
  8. ↑ "Awards". port-vale.co.uk. 5 May 2006. Retrieved 24 October 2011. 
  9. ↑ Mitchener, Mark (11 December 2006). "Skipper wants Valiant effort". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  10. ↑ "Pilkington to sweat on contract". BBC Sport. 29 February 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  11. ↑ "Pilkington wants to stay at Vale". BBC Sport. 11 April 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Pilkington leaves Vale on a high". BBC Sport. 28 April 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2008. 
  13. ↑ "Luton Town bring in 11 new faces". BBC Sport. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2009. 
  14. ↑ "Luton 3–2 Scunthorpe (aet)". BBC Sport. 5 April 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009. 
  15. ↑ "Awards a plenty for Pilks". Luton Town F.C. 25 April 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010. 
  16. ↑ "Luton skipper George Pilkington signs new two-year deal". BBC Sport. 18 May 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010. 
  17. ↑ "Pilkington extends contract". Luton Town F.C. 18 May 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2010. 
  18. ↑ "Two Trophies for Tyler". lutontown.co.uk. Retrieved 10 March 2012. 
  19. ↑ "Luton Town booked their place in the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final against York as they hung on to beat Wrexham on aggregate.". BBC Sport. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012. 
  20. ↑ Maiden, Phil (20 May 2012). "York City secured their return to the Football League after an eight-year absence as they came from behind to beat Luton Town at Wembley.". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 May 2012. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Stevenson, Mark (20 June 2012). "Cox makes double signing.". Mansfield Town F.C. Retrieved 20 June 2012. 
  22. ↑ "No sulking as Pilkington looks to keep his Mansfield Town shirt at Cambridge". 5 October 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 
  23. ↑ "Pilkington loaned to Forest Green". Non League Daily. 4 August 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013. 
  24. ↑ "Forest Green 8-0 Hyde". BBC Sport. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013. 
  25. ↑ "Stags defender Pilkington not looking too far ahead after shock recall". Mansfield and Ashfield Chad. 1 November 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2013. 
  26. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Football League Trophy.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Games played by George Pilkington in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011. 
  28. ↑ "Games played by George Pilkington in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011. 
  29. ↑ "Games played by George Pilkington in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011. 
  30. ↑ "Games played by George Pilkington in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011. 
  31. ↑ "Games played by George Pilkington in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011. 
  32. ↑ "Games played by George Pilkington in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011. 
  33. ↑ "Games played by George Pilkington in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011. 
  34. ↑ "Games played by George Pilkington in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011. 
  35. ↑ "Games played by George Pilkington in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011. 
  36. ↑ "Games played by George Pilkington in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011. 
  37. ↑ "Games played by George Pilkington in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2012. 
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "Games played by George Pilkington in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2012. 
  39. ↑ "Pilkington wins player of month prize". Luton & Dunstable Express. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009. 

External links

Mansfield Town F.C. – current squad
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.