George Pilkington

George Edward Pilkington Date of Birth: Nov 7, 1981

Born in Rugeley Staffordshire, George was an Everton trainee where he turned professional in 1998. He never made the first team and was loaned out to Exeter City for a short spell. Released in 2003 George was snapped up by Brian Horton’s Port Vale where he would go on to make 253 appearances scoring 12 goals.

George decided not to stay and moved to Luton on a fee transfer in 2008. A classy centre back at just under 6 foot tall, he was clearly up for a fight against the minus 30 points deduction imposed on the club. A twist of fate saw him make his debut against Port Vale in the first match which ended in a 3 1 defeat. A series of injuries in that first season limited his appearances but he came back to full fitness in March 2009. He played in the magnificent 3 2 Football League Trophy Final victory against Scunthorpe United at Wembley.

The following two seasons in the Conference George rarely missed a game and picked up six awards including the Player of the Season and the Players’ Player of the Season awards in 2010. Steady and reliable, George picked up more awards the following season which was no consolation after the penalty shoot out defeat to AFC Wimbledon at the Etihad Stadium. He scored his first and second goals for the club in August 2009 in a 4 1 win over Mansfield Town at Kenilworth Road.

The following season started with an injury but from George came back in October and again guided the Town to a play off final this time at Wembley. An offside goal saw York win 2 1 and this proved to be his last game for the Hatters.

George signed for Mansfield Town but it proved to an unhappy two seasons playing only 7 times and being sent on loan to Forest Green Rovers and Macclesfield Town. Released by Mansfield in the Summer of 2015, George signed for Macclesfield Town who recognised they had signed a “proper pro.” He stayed for 4 seasons making 195 appearances and scoring 4 goals. He retired after seeing Macclesfield promoted as Champions to the Football League in 2018.

He had a short spell as First Team coach at Shrewsbury Town after retirement.