Chris Chilton

Christopher Roy Chilton (25 June 1943 – 20 May 2021) was an English professional footballer who played the majority of his career in the Football League for Hull City.

Chris Chilton
Personal information
Full name Christopher Roy Chilton
Date of birth (1943-06-25)25 June 1943
Place of birth Sproatley, England
Date of death 20 May 2021(2021-05-20) (aged 77)
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1960–1971 Hull City 415 (193)
1971–1972 Coventry City 27 (3)
1972–1974 Bridlington Trinity
1974–1978 Highlands Park
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Towards the end of his career, he also had short spells with Coventry City and Bridlington Trinity, as well as four final seasons with Highlands Park in South Africa.[2]

Playing career

Hull City

Chilton played as an inside forward for Church League side Bilton, but after joining Hull City he played as a centre forward.[1] During Hull's 1965–66 successful Division Two promotion campaign, Chilton scored 29 goals even with the presence of an egg-sized lump of fat behind one knee. He had a successful operation at the end of the season to remove it.[3]

Chilton became renowned for his partnership with fellow striker Ken Wagstaff. Chilton was taller than Wagstaff and unselfish, proving to be the perfect foil to his stockier, more predatory teammate. Neither player was deemed good enough to gain international honours, although both played for an England league XI in representative games.

Despite numerous offers to move to other clubs, notably Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United, Chilton remained loyal to his local club up until 1971. He is Hull City's all-time top scorer, with 222 goals in all competitions.

Later career

Chilton's move away from Hull was to Coventry City, which ended after just one season due to a back injury. He then returned to the East Riding of Yorkshire to play for local side Bridlington Trinity for four years. Chilton would then have a spell in South Africa with Highlands Park. After four more years there, he would retire from professional football.

Managerial career

After retirement, he returned to the UK, taking up a variety of coaching positions at his beloved Hull City. He began as the team's youth-team manager and was responsible for the development of future England manager Steve McClaren and England international Brian Marwood, amongst others.

Another achievement was being the mentor of striker Billy Whitehurst, which resulted in the development of Whitehurst's notable hard-man image. Whitehurst was eventually sold for a huge profit, having arrived from non-league football for a nominal fee.

Chilton eventually became assistant first-team manager under Colin Appleton and later Brian Horton. He also had a short spell as caretaker manager following the sacking of Mike Smith. He was however eventually moved back to youth-team coach by Horton, who promoted Dennis Booth in his place.

Chilton would have a final role as assistant manager at Lincoln City, before leaving the game for good.

Personal life

Chilton was born in Sproatley, East Riding of Yorkshire.[4] He published his autobiography 'Chillo' in 2005. During later life, Chilton lived in Thorngumbald, East Riding of Yorkshire.[5]

Chilton later developed dementia,[6] and died on 20 May 2021, aged 77.[7][8] On 2 March 2022, Hull City announced that the East Stand of their home ground, the MKM Stadium, would be renamed in Chilton's honour.[9]

References
  1. Soccer Who's Who compiled by Maurice Golesworth, The Sportsman's Book Club 1965
  2. "Chris Chilton". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  3. Rollin, Jack (1983). The Guinness book of soccer facts & feats (5th ed.). London: Guinness Superlatives. ISBN 0-85112-240-X. OCLC 60046964.
  4. "Hull City legend Chris Chilton passes away at the age of 77". The Yorkshire Post. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  5. Struthers, Greg (30 April 2006). "Caught in Time: Hull City win promotion to the Third Division, 1983". The Times. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  6. BBC, Radio Five Live, 606, interview with Margaret Chilton by Robbie Savage and Chris Sutton, 19:42 to 19:49GMT
  7. "Chris Chilton". Hull City A.F.C. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  8. "Chris Chilton: Hull City's record goalscorer dies aged 77". BBC News. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  9. "Introducing the Chris Chilton Stand". Hull City A.F.C. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  • Chris Chilton at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database
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