Alfie Kilgour discussed his return from injury after being stuck on the Mansfield Town physio’s bench for over a year.
The 26-year-old made his return for The Stags as a substitute in their 2-0 win over Blackpool, their third straight result with the same scoreline. Will Evans sealed the tie with a brace in the first half, and with two minutes of normal time remaining made way for Kilgour to make his return after 14 months away.
He last played during Town’s League Two encounter away at Doncaster Rovers in August 2023 when he was stretchered off after 17 minutes. It later emerged he had ruptured his achilles tendon, starting what would be a long spell away from the pitch which saw the club gain promotion to the third tier, ending a 22-year wait in the process.
Speaking to the Mansfield and Ashfield Chad, Kilgour discussed the emotions of returning to action at Field Mill: “Saturday was a very special day for me – 418 days it had been since I last ran on a football pitch at Doncaster.
“I got an absolutely unbelievable reception from the fans. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. To have to wait so long for that connection with the fans has been heartbreaking for me.”
Kilgour made the switch from boyhood club Bristol Rovers to Nottinghamshire in January 2023, and made 24 appearances under Nigel Clough prior to his injury. He signed a new deal during his recovery, keeping him at the club until the end of this season.
Mansfield boss Clough tasked his number five with an unusual role, placing him up front in the final minutes against The Seasiders. Kilgour elaborated: “I knew firstly there was a job to do. I was told I was going on up front and to run around and get stuck in. I had a feeling of calmness and peace and I was also quite emotional.
“So to finally run out onto a pitch in a Mansfield Town kit for League One football was all I had dreamt of. To be back doing that is amazing.
“I’m glad it’s out the way now with that emotion and I now want to do a job and be back among the battle.”
Writer’s View
It is wonderful to see players finally get opportunities to play after long injuries and even if it was just a short spell Alfie Kilgour got to do just that. He spoke openly on the mental toll his time out of playing competitively gave him, so to finally get that chance against Blackpool is brilliant. With the injury situation at Mansfield Town, it is likely he will get some more chances to play down the line and get some regular minutes under his belt.
The Stags have been the ultimate surprise package so far in League One. Very few people would have anticipated the form they have been in so far. Will Evans has been a great pick up for the club from Newport County, already contributing four goals including his brace against Blackpool. He and the rest of the squad already look well adjusted to the step up to the third tier but the real tests are yet to come with fixtures against two of the best defences in Exeter City and Stevenage before facing the imperious Birmingham City.
