Speaking to the Premier League before stepping foot back in York Road, Kilman said: “It’s great to be back, I haven’t been here in years, so I’m excited. It was only really one full season [he played regularly], obviously I was part of the youth team before, but I really enjoyed it, and it was part of how I grew up as a player – it’s my journey.”
Sat in the York Road dugouts, Kilman was reunited with former manager Alan Devonshire, who still leads Maidenhead, and the former West Ham United midfielder reflected on managing a young Kilman in the tough environment of the fifth tier of English football.
Devonshire said: “It’s great memories for him. To see him progress the way he has, he was always big anyway, but he’s filled out as well now. He was only a baby, only a pup when he was here, but his technical ability was always better than everyone else’s.
“We had to play him left-back because it was really very physical then and men would hurt him – he was only 19. I just made sure I protected him, and he learned the game there. Wolves came in and we chatted about it, and it was right for him at the time and it’s great it’s worked out.”
Kilman also caught up with Maidenhead duo Sam Barratt and Ryan Upward, who was in the Molineux stands when Kilman scored his first goal for Wolves against Everton, were available for a catch up, before the old gold man spent time with the club’s academy players, answering their questions and passing on his experiences.
What followed was a draw with Aldershot, which kept Maidenhead comfortably clear of relegation trouble, and at half-time Kilman received a warm welcome back on to the York Road pitch, where he spoke to supporters.
Reflecting on the end of an enriching return to Maidenhead, he said: “It’s been great to see so many familiar faces and to see they’re all doing really well – some amazing people work at this club. It felt like a family club when I left and it’s still the same now. I’m really happy they’re doing really well, and I hope it continues for them as well.
“There are so many players you see now coming from non-league into the Premier League and other leagues as well. It’s good that I’m part of it.”
