The Fan Inside | Maximilian Kilman

Maximilian Kilman takes us on his football journey from a fan’s perspective, which began at a pair of West London clubs. 

My teams when I grew up…

“I supported Chelsea growing up and went to a few games, but obviously now I don’t feel that passion. I was born in Chelsea Hospital and always wanted to go to Chelsea games because I had a lot of friends also supporting them.”

My first game as a fan…

“I’m not sure the year, but it was against Blackburn at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea won 4-0 and I think Damien Duff and Arjen Robben both scored. I went with my dad and his friend and that was my first experience.” 

A memorable game as a fan…

“When I was playing for Fulham, we used to get tickets for their games and there was one season when they had the really good Europa League run. I went to all those games and they are probably my best memories of going to games as a kid. They gave us tickets for all the home games, so it was Roma in the group stage, the last 16 was against Juventus and the semi-final against Hamburg. I probably went to Craven Cottage more than Stamford Bridge.”

The last game I attended as a fan…

“I haven’t been for a while now, but I go to see my friends play in non-league. One of my friends used to play for Tonbridge, so once or twice I went to see him play a couple of years ago when I first joined Wolves. It’s not as busy, you don’t need to go to a stand or seat, you just walk in and stand on the side, which is quite different to the Premier League. Back then, they were in the Ryman Premier, but now they’re in the National League South. They’ve got one stand, but the side of the car park is where I’ve always stood.”

A worldwide game I’d like to go to…

“It would have been the El Clasico back in the day of Ronaldo, Messi, Iniesta, when all those players were playing – I would have loved that. I’d probably have chosen the Nou Camp one because it looks bigger and hopefully in the future I’ll go, but without Ronaldo and Messi now.”

A Wolves away day I’d like to be a fan at…

“When we’ve played against Liverpool, the atmosphere’s always been really good there. That would be nice. Also, Old Trafford is such a lovely stadium, and the Tottenham stadium is incredible.”