George Pilkington

Mansfield Town In June 2012, Pilkington signed for Mansfield Town, who finished above Luton in the Conference Premier the previous season but also lost in the play-offs. Manager Paul Cox described the signing as "a major coup for the club".

In August 2013, Pilkington joined Conference Premier side Forest Green Rovers in a two-month loan deal. He made his debut at The New Lawn on 10 August in an 8–0 win over Hyde. He made a further seven appearances before being recalled following an injury crisis at Mansfield.

Macclesfield Town On 8 February 2014, Pilkington joined Macclesfield Town on a one-month loan. 14 days later he marked his debut for the "Silkmen" with a goal in a 3–2 defeat to Woking at Kingfield Stadium. On 10 March 2014, Pilkington extended his loan spell at Moss Rose for the remainder of the 2013–14 season. He was released by Mansfield at the end of the season, and signed with Macclesfield permanently in July 2014 after manager John Askey described him as a "proper pro".

He missed just two league games of the 2014–15 season as Macclesfield finished one point outside the play-off places, and he was voted the club's Player of the Year. He made 45 appearances across the 2015–16 campaign, as Macclesfield posted a tenth-place finish, and he signed a new one-year contract in May 2016. He also retained his Player of the Year trophy. He made 54 appearances across the 2016–17 campaign, including in the 2017 FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium, where Macclesfield were beaten 3–2 by York City. He was named as the club's Player of the Year for a third consecutive season. He made 35 appearances across the 2017–18 campaign as Macclesfield won promotion to the Football League as champions of the National League. He announced his retirement in June 2018.

Coaching career Pilkington retired from playing in June 2018 to take up the position as first-team coach at League One side Shrewsbury Town, having been recruited by former Macclesfield manager John Askey. In July 2026, he was appointed as Technical Director at Stafford Rangers.

Personal life The George Pilkington Award for Literacy was created in 2007 at Packmoor Ormiston Academy.

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals Everton 2002–03 Premier League

Exeter City (loan)

2003–04 Second Division

League One

League One

League One

League One

League Two

Conference Premier

2010–11 Conference Premier

2011–12 Conference Premier

140!!11!!14!!0!!2!!0!!16!!1!!172!!12

2012–13 Conference Premier

2013–14 League Two

Forest Green Rovers (loan)

2015–16

Mansfield Town Conference Premier: 2012–13 Luton Town Player of the Year: 2009–10 Macclesfield Town Player of the Year: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17