Max Kilsby

Max Kilsby

Kilsby after signing on loan for Annan Athletic in August 2023
Personal information
Full name	Max Robert Kilsby [1]
Date of birth	(2003-10-04) 4 October 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth	North Shields, England
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
	Cramlington Juniors
2011–2018	Newcastle United
2018–2022	Carlisle United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–2024	Carlisle United	0	(0)
2022–2023	→ Annan Athletic (loan)	31	(4)
2023	→ Annan Athletic (loan)	19	(0)
2024	→ Queen of the South (loan)	10	(0)
2024–	Annan Athletic	8	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 05 Oct 2024

Max Kilsby (born 4 October 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Scottish League One 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

As of 05 October 2024

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Carlisle United	2022–23	League 2	0	0	—		—		—		0	0
	2023–24	League 1	0	0	—		—		—		0	0
Annan Athletic(on loan)	2022–23 [30]	Scottish League 2	31	4	0	0	1	0	6 [lower-alpha 1]	3	38	7
	2023–24 [31]	Scottish League 1	19	0	1	0	0	0	2 [lower-alpha 2]	1	22	1
Queen of the South(on loan)	2023–24	Scottish League 1	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
Annan Athletic	2024–25 [32]	Scottish League 1	8	1	0	0	3	0	1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	12	1
Career total			68	5	1	0	4	0	9	4	82	9

1. Appearance/s in the Scottish Challenge Cup (2) and Scottish League One Play Offs (4), 3 goals in Play Offs
2. Appearance/s in the Scottish Challenge Cup

Honours

Annan Athletic

• 2022-23 Scottish League One play offs ^[33]

Individual

• Annan Athletic F.C. Young Player of the Year for season 2022/23 ^[34]

References

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