Max Kilsby Explained

Max Kilsby
Fullname:Max Robert Kilsby[1]
Birth Date:4 October 2003
Birth Place:North Shields, England
Position:Defender
Youthclubs1:Cramlington Juniors
Youthyears2:2011–2018
Youthclubs2:Newcastle United
Youthyears3:2018–2022
Youthclubs3:Carlisle United
Years1:2022–2024
Clubs1:Carlisle United
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2022–2023
Clubs2:Annan Athletic (loan)
Caps2:31
Goals2:4
Years3:2023
Clubs3:Annan Athletic (loan)
Caps3:19
Goals3:0
Years4:2024
Clubs4:Queen of the South (loan)
Caps4:10
Goals4:0
Years5:2024–
Caps5:3
Goals5:1
Club-Update:17 Aug 2024

Max Kilsby (born 4 October 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Annan Athletic.

Playing career

Kilsby came through the youth-team at Carlisle United and in May 2022 signed his first professional contract.[2] In July 2022 he joined Annan Athletic on loan until January 2023.[3] [4] This Loan was extended in January 2023 until the end of the 2022/23 season.[5] Kilsby scored his first goal for Annan Athletic on 23 December 2022, scoring the 4th goal in a 5–1 win at home to Albion Rovers.[6] On 21 January 2023 he scored his second goal for Annan Athletic in a 4–0 win against Bonnyrigg Rose[7] and scored again a week later in a 3–0 win against East Fife F.C.[8] [9] On 29 April 2023, Kilsby was named the Annan Athletic 'Young Player of the Year' for the 2022-23 season.[10] On 9 May 2023 Kilsby scored the 2nd goal in a 6–0 home win against Dumbarton FC, his 5th goal, in the league one semi-final first leg play off.[11] [12] He scored his first professional brace in a 3–1 home win against Clyde F.C. in the first leg of the 2022/23 Scottish League One Play Off final and was named the BBC Alba man of the match, played on 16 May 2023.[13] He concluded his loan with Annan, playing a full 90 minutes in the 2nd leg of the Play Off final, helping Annan win 5-2 on aggregate and gain promotion for the first time in their history, to League One.[14] At the end of the season Carlisle United triggered the clause to extend Kilsby's contract for the 2023/24 season.[15] In August 2023 he rejoined Annan Athletic on loan until January 2024.[16] [17] On 6 January 2024 after his final on loan game for Annan Athletic against Montrose FC and a successful season and a half loan, where he had become a regular starter for Annan Athletic in Scottish League One, playing 60 games and scoring 8 goals, he was recalled to his parent club.[18] On 1 February 2024, Kilsby joined Queen of the South on loan for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.[19] On 29 April 2024 Carlisle announced the player had been released.[20] Kilsby signed for Annan Athletic on the 11th July 2024.[21] In the opening Scottish League One match, 2024/25, against Cove Rangers on the 3rd August, Kilsby scored the opening goal in a 3 1 away win for Annan Athletic.[22]

Style of play

Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson, said of Kilsby 'He's left-sided, which are hard to find, he can play left wing-back, left centre-back, possibly even go into midfield, so he gives us a few options'[23] Annan Athletic Manager, Peter Murphy, stated 'Max is a real prospect in the Carlisle United ranks and we are delighted to welcome him to Annan Athletic'[24] In February 2023 Peter Murphy stated that 'Max is making excellent progress'[25] Paul Simpson in May 2023 said 'It's been a brilliant loan for him'[26] In August 2023 Carlisle boss Paul Simpson told the club website: 'Murph was keen to have him back after the success they enjoyed last year. We’re delighted with how he’s developing and more than happy for him to go back up there to continue that good work. We’ll monitor his progress and review it in January.' Annan said they were 'delighted' to have Kilsby back.[27] On 1 February 2024, after signing on loan for Queen of the South, manager Marvin Bartley said of Kilsby; 'Max is young but is highly rated and has been very impressive at both ends of the park during his time at Annan and played a huge part in them achieving promotion. He is predominately a defender but can play in various different positions which is a real benefit to us. Carlisle sent him out on loan to help with his development and have been delighted with his progress. I am looking forward to working with him and hope we can continue building his career in a full-time environment'.[28] Annan manager, Wullie Gibson, commenting on his move back to Annan said, 'I’m looking forward to working with Max again. He’s got good attributes, knows the club well and had a good spell with us last time round. He’s still a young lad where confidence is a big thing and hopefully he’ll get that from the way myself and my staff work'.[29]

Statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
2022–230000
2023–240000
Annan Athletic(on loan)2022–23[30] Scottish League 2314001063387
2023–24[31] Scottish League 1190100021221
Queen of the South(on loan)2023–24Scottish League 1100000000100
Annan Athletic2024–25Scottish League 13100300061
Career total635104084769

Honours

Annan Athletic

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL Squad List: Season 2022/23 . www.efl.com . en-gb.
  2. Web site: Carlisle United hand professional deal to teenage defender . News and Star . en.
  3. Web site: Carlisle confirms loan of defender to Scottish team . News and Star . en.
  4. Web site: NEW SIGNING: Max Kilsby . Annan Athletic FC . 27 July 2022.
  5. Web site: Carlisle United confirm decisions on loan trio . News and Star . en.
  6. Web site: Carlisle United teenager scores first goal for . News and Star . en.
  7. Web site: Loan watch: Carlisle United teenager scores in big win for Murphy's Annan . News and Star . en.
  8. Web site: Loan watch: Blues defender continues impressive scoring run for Murphy's Annan . News and Star . en.
  9. Web site: Standard . Dumfries and Galloway . Annan boss hails "complete performance" against East Fife . Daily Record . en . 1 February 2023.
  10. Web site: Carlisle United teenager wins award at promotion-chasing loan club . News and Star . en.
  11. Web site: Stunning 6-0 win for Murphy's Annan in play-off semi-final . News and Star . en.
  12. Web site: Annan Athletic FC v Dumbarton FC . Annan Athletic FC . en.
  13. Web site: Carlisle United's Kilsby scores twice as Annan claim play-off advantage . News and Star . en . 16 May 2023.
  14. Web site: INTERVIEW: It was a great way to end . www.carlisleunited.co.uk . en-gb.
  15. Web site: CLUB: Retained and released list . www.carlisleunited.co.uk . en-gb.
  16. Web site: Carlisle United defender rejoins Annan on loan . News and Star . en . 4 August 2023.
  17. Web site: LOAN: Defender returns to scene of success . www.carlisleunited.co.uk . en-gb.
  18. Web site: Simmo on plans for young Blues defender after end of loan spell . News and Star . en . 12 January 2024.
  19. Web site: LOAN: Defender heads back to Scotland . www.carlisleunited.co.uk . en-gb.
  20. Web site: CLUB: 2023/24 retained/released list . 2024-04-30 . www.carlisleunited.co.uk . en-gb.
  21. Web site: Pool . Andrew . NEW SIGNING : Max Kilsby . Annan Athletic FC . en . 11 July 2024.
  22. Web site: Max Kilsby Football Stats Annan Age 20 Soccer Base . www.soccerbase.com.
  23. Web site: MANAGER: It's the start of a journey . www.carlisleunited.co.uk . en-gb.
  24. Web site: Murphy welcomes loan signing of 'real prospect' from Carlisle United . News and Star . en.
  25. Web site: Murphy's verdict on young Carlisle United defender's progress at Annan . News and Star . en.
  26. Web site: Blues boss Simmo hails 'brilliant' Annan loan for play-off star . News and Star . en . 18 May 2023.
  27. Web site: Carlisle United defender rejoins Annan on loan . News and Star . en . 4 August 2023.
  28. Web site: QosFC: Welcome - Max Kilsby . www.qosfc.com.
  29. News: Pool . Andrew . NEW SIGNING : Max Kilsby . Annan Athletic FC . 11 July 2024 . en.
  30. Web site: Max Kilsby Football Stats Carlisle United Age 19 Soccer Base . www.soccerbase.com.
  31. Web site: Max Kilsby Football Stats Carlisle United Age 19 Soccer Base . www.soccerbase.com.
  32. Web site: Annan relegate Clyde to clinch historic League 1 promotion . BBC Sport.
  33. Web site: Pool . Andrew . Player awards 2023 . Annan Athletic FC . en . 30 April 2023.