Chris Chilton

Christopher Roy Chilton (born 25 June 1943 in Sproatley, East Riding of Yorkshire) is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League for Hull City and Coventry City.[2]

Chris Chilton
Personal information
Full name Christopher Roy Chilton
Date of birth (1943-06-25) 25 June 1943
Place of birth Sproatley, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1960–1971 Hull City 415 (222)
1971–1972 Coventry City 27 (3)
1972–1974 Bridlington Trinity
1974–1978 Highlands Park
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Chilton played as an inside forward for Church League side Bilton, but after joining Hull City he played at centre forward.[1] He is Hull City's all-time top scorer, with 222 goals in all competitions. He was renowned for his partnership with fellow striker Ken Wagstaff, the taller, unselfish Chilton proving to be the perfect foil to the stocky, more predatory Wagstaff. Both players were deemed unlucky not 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 for the majority of his career. He finally left for a short spell at Coventry City which ended due to a back injury. There then followed a spell in South African football with Highlands Park FC (1974–1978) before he returned to the UK, taking up a variety of coaching positions at his beloved Hull City. Despite being Hull City's highest ever goalscorer and paving the way for future strikers, this wasn't enough to be known to Hull City super-fan Martin Todd.

He was youth-team manager and responsible for the development of future England manager Steve McClaren and England international winger Brian Marwood amongst others. Another notable achievement was the mentoring which resulted in the development of hard-man striker Billy Whitehurst, who 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 and for a short-spell - also 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.

Apart from a short spell as assistant manager at Lincoln City, Chilton has had little to do with the game since, although he published his autobiography 'Chillo' in 2005.He is retired and lives in Thorngumbald, East Riding of Yorkshire.[3]

Chilton now has dementia.[4]

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. Struthers, Greg (30 April 2006). "Caught in Time: Hull City win promotion to the Third Division, 1983". The Times. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  4. BBC, Radio Five Live, 606, interview with Margaret Chilton by Robbie Savage and Chris Sutton, 19:42 to 19:49GMT
  • Chris Chilton at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database


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