Former Manchester United goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington has left Luton Town and joined former club Notts County as goalkeeping coach. Kevin, a 7Cantonas contributor for over a year, had been focusing on his post-playing career and is UEFA B qualified. However it is with a little sadness we post this news, as Kevin becomes the latest member from the famous class of 1992 to retire from playing.
“It’s been a whirlwind last 24 hours,” Pilkington told lutontown.co.uk. “I’m gutted to be leaving Luton and I’m gutted as I’m giving up playing, too.
“However, I know I’m not getting any younger, and this is a great opportunity for me to further my career. It’s the next step for me and hopefully the first step on the ladder in this new chapter of my career. The years really have flown by and I’ve got a lot of great memories but it’s time to move on now. I’m a coach, it’s my future.”
Kevin had a good return to Luton and enjoyed a good run between the sticks in the clubs FA Trophy run last season.
“I’ve got some great memories of my time at Luton,” he said. “I’m grateful that I’ve had the opportunity and I’d like to thank those who brought me here. I’m sad to be leaving, it’s a great club with some super people and the lads have been brilliant. It’s all gone so quick, from my debut at a wet and windy Grays to the last one against Mansfield, it’s been great. It’s been a good season and I think my record speaks for itself – we haven’t lost a league game when I’ve played – but one thing for sure is I’m really going to miss playing.”
Kevin gave a ringing endorsement of former Chelsea keeper Dmitri Kharine who was at the Hatters.
“Dimi is simply a legend,” Pilkington said. “I’ve learned so much from him and I’ve got no doubt that I’ll be ringing him to pick his brains at some point! Mark Tyler is a fantastic goalkeeper and it’s been great training and working with him every day – but he’ll have to get used to coming to training on his own from now on! And I’m sure that young Lewis Kidd will have a bright future too – with Mark and Dimi supporting him he’s certainly getting the best possible advance and coaching.”
We wish Kevin all the best for the future and hope to be able to continue to bring you his thoughts as and when possible on 7Cantonas.
Congratulations, Kevin, on a fantastic playing career. Since you broke through, no goalkeeper coming through the ranks has made more appearances for the first team – and at a time when we had the greatest keeper in our history, that is no mean feat. I want to extend a personal thank you for your help, kindness and dedication to the United community by contributing to this website.
Hear Hear! Great goalkeeper and ever greater person. I’m pleased to have him back in the East Midlands where he has spent so much of his career