Alfie Kilgour has thanked Bristol Rovers for allowing him to fulfil his “boyhood dream” as the defender has bid farewell to the club he's called home for nearly all his life.
A born-and-bred Gashead, Kilgour first joined the Rovers academy when he was just seven, rising through the ranks before making his debut in 2019 and establishing himself as a regular first-team presence under a succession of managers.
With his journey from the terraces to the hallowed turf of the Mem, the 24-year-old has been a constant throughout several years of significant change in north Bristol but he has left to join League Two Mansfield Town having fallen down the pecking order under Joey Barton.
Two-and-a-half years after another favourite son and proud servant of the Gas made the same trip to the Midlands, in midfielder Ollie Clarke, Kilgour will now follow that path to become a teammate of the Portishead native at Field Mill.
Although Kilgour will cherish every one of his 119 appearances in blue and white quarters, plus the promotion season of 2021/22 in which he helped provide one of the abiding images of those celebrations as he carried owner Wael Al-Qadi on his shoulders in the dressing room, the club meant far more to him than what took place on the pitch.
Kilgour has been one of the individuals to have built a bond with his fellow Gasheads during his work with the Community Trust, particularly during lockdown when he delivered food packages, computer tablets and made phonecalls to fans, and that was recognised in his statement to supporters.
"My 17-year affiliation with Bristol Rovers ends today and I would like to thank them for giving me the platform to fulfil my boyhood dream. From the early days to present I have always had tremendous support,” Kilgour said.
“I would like to thank the loyal fans for their unwavering support, which meant so much to me in the good and difficult times, I would like to thank everyone behind the scenes, kit men, chefs, stewards, to name a few and Daryle and all his wonderful ground staff, I applaud you all.
“I have been fortunate to play with some great players, managers and coaches, many of who I still talk to and who will be friends for life. A special mention to Adam Tutton, who gave me the opportunity to be a Players Ambassador for the Community Trust, which brought me great pride, especially in the Covid season, as it enabled me to get out into the community and make a difference within our fanbase.
“My journey now continues with a new challenge, one I am very excited about, a new location, a new club dynamic, all things that are part of a footballer’s journey and one that I will embrace and thrive from. I am looking forward to bringing value to Mansfield Town FC. I will be kept up to speed from my friends and family who will still be on the terraces at The Mem.
“I wish you all the health and happiness for you and your families. Alfie, UTG.”
Kilgour has signed an 18-month contract at Field Mill as their first signing of the January transfer window and should go straight into Nigel Clough’s squad for their clash this weekend against Crewe. The Stags are ninth in League Two but level on points with Salford City in the final play-off berth.
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