George Pilkington made a dozen appearances for Exeter City in 2002/03 as a young player on loan from Everton. He went on to play over 600 times at Football League and Conference level chiefly for Port Vale, Luton Town and Macclesfield Town.    

George joined Everton from school in 1998 and quickly signed a professional contract although, in five years at Goodison, he was never to appear in the first-team. 

Indeed George’s first taste of Football League action came with his short loan stay at Exeter City during the Grecians’ ill-fated 2002/03 campaign. Having made his debut in the win at Boston United on 2 November George featured in seven consecutive league matches as well as in cup-ties including City’s 3-1 defeat at Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup.

Returning to Everton after the Charlton game, George moved to Port Vale on a permanent basis in July 2003 where - over the next five seasons - he made 224 league appearances winning a Player of the Year award and becoming team captain along the way. He then spent four seasons at Luton Town between 2008 and 2012 playing over 150 games and again winning a Player of the Year honour. With Luton now in the Conference, George remained at the same level when he switched to Mansfield Town in June 2012 helping the Stags return to the Football League in 2013.     

After a brief loan spell with Forest Green Rovers, George moved to Macclesfield Town - initially on loan but soon permanently - and from 2014 to 2018 made over 180 first-team appearances culminating in the club’s return to the Football League in May 2018. 

George retired from playing shortly afterwards and briefly coached Shrewsbury Town.