Brian Kilcline
Encyclopedia
Brian Kilcline 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 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 accredited to Gary Mabbutt
. Kilcline and Mabbutt were to clash again in the second half when, Kilcline brought down Mabbutt with a tackle. Kilcline was not cautioned 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.
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
, Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
, Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
, Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
, Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
and Halifax Town, famous for his long hair and moustache.
Kilcline captained Coventry City in the 1987 FA Cup final at Wembley against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
. 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 accredited to Gary Mabbutt
Gary Mabbutt
Gary Mabbutt MBE is an English former professional footballer who made more than 600 appearances in the Football League and Premier League playing for Bristol Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur, and won 16 caps for the England national team. He was most regularly seen in central defence but was a...
. Kilcline and Mabbutt were to clash again in the second half when, Kilcline brought down Mabbutt with a tackle. Kilcline was not cautioned by referee Neil Midgley
Neil Midgley (referee)
Neil Midgley was an English football referee who originated from Salford, then in Lancashire. At the time of his death he lived in Kearsley, part of the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, with his wife Barbara.-Career:...
but had to be replaced by substitute Graham Rodger
Graham Rodger
Graham Rodger is a Scottish born English former professional footballer and football manager. He played as a defender from 1984 until 1998 for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City and Luton Town before finishing his career with a six year stint at Grimsby Town, where he retired in 1998 following...
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
Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
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.