Exclusive:Matt Kilgallon interview: How 'chaos' led to Leeds United break and why Sheffield United days were special
Leeds United and Sheffield United were the first two permanent employers of Matthew Kilgallon in professional football.
The former nurtured the centre-back in their academy, later selling him to the latter for an initial £1.75m fee in 2007.
Both clubs exposed him to the pressure of passionate Yorkshire fanbases but perhaps more memorably, showed the defender just how chaotic football can be.
At Leeds, it was financial turmoil and the consequent fire sale of star players that helped usher Kilgallon into the limelight.
How chaos led to Leeds United break
"To be honest, when you're that sort of age and you're young, it's all a bit of a blur,” he told The Yorkshire Post. “You're playing well, you're training well, you're getting opportunities to train with the first team because of the chaos really.
“People were leaving - centre-halves were going. Before this chaos, the centre-halves there were top centre-halves. [Jonathan] Woodgate, [Rio] Ferdinand - I was nowhere near those boys then.
“But because of the chaos, they left, and it gave me an opportunity. It was a case of 'hang on, we can't buy anyone, are there any young lads coming through?'.
“That's why I got my chance and as mad and selfish as it sounds, and I totally get people will say 'I thought you were a Leeds fan', because of Leeds getting relegated, I got my chance. Before that, the centre-halves in front of me were England internationals. Chuck Dom Matteo on top of there, [Michael] Duberry, it was full of good centre-halves.”
Turbulence may have greased the wheels for his breakthrough but it soon became apparent Kilgallon was not merely an emergency option. He developed swiftly, representing England at various youth levels and impressing at Elland Road.
After 95 appearances, it was Kilgallon being sold as Leeds continued their sorry decline. With the Whites slipping towards League One, Sheffield United parachuted him into their fight for Premier League survival.
Sheffield United days
Over the course of three years at Bramall Lane, Kilgallon experienced relegation and life under three different managers - Neil Warnock, Bryan Robson and Kevin Blackwell.
It was not the serenity he perhaps craved after chaos at Leeds, but the 41-year-old has spoken glowingly about his Sheffield United days.
When asked what made his time in South Yorkshire so special, Kilgallon replied: "I was playing good football for starters, which always helps.
“It was another massive club, great fanbase and good people, Yorkshire people again. It just fit well with me. I knew what the manager wanted from me. I didn't have to complicate it.
“We had a good squad that was winning games, I didn't have to move house. I travelled in, I had a car school, it worked out nicely. Very similarly to Leeds United, everyone wanted you to do well and they looked after you. I had a good feeling. I settled in very quickly with good people and that always helps.
“I didn't get a lot of time with Neil Warnock. He took me into Sheffield United and I didn't get a lot of time with him, but I always appreciated him coming to get me. I had three years of just really good times. We missed out on the play-offs, but I went on to play over 100 games for them and I've got really good memories.”
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