"If you said to that lad there that you're going to be captain of Bristol Rovers one day, I would have snatched your hand off."
That was Alfie Kilgour, looking back at a picture of himself aged 15, soon after signing a scholarship at the Pirates. The centre-back always wanted to play for the Gas and worked hard to make his dream a reality.
The 28-year-old has 157 appearances for the Pirates in all competitions, but it has been a long journey for Kilgour that started 20 years ago. As part of the Raised in the EFL campaign, he looked back to the start of his footballing career, which set him on his way to the person and player he is today.
"I was very young," he said. "I was just eight years old, and I was at a summer tournament for my local town, Melksham. Alex Hinder was the scout, and he invited me to a six-week trial, which only lasted about two weeks.
"I was very fortunate to be offered a year contract. It was an amazing feeling; it was great, and it was great development for my football, which is what I loved and was passionate about."
Kilgour worked his way through the academy before earning a scholarship. The moment was marked with a photo on the pitch alongside his parents, Edward Ware and previous chairman Nick Higgs. Given the photo to look back on the memory, the defender paused for a moment before a beaming smile appeared, having never seen the photo before.
"That was a great moment," said Kilgour. "I haven't seen that. It was a super proud moment. For me, it wasn't just a lock-on and given to me; they were still umming and arring. I think that helped in the long run because I felt like I had to work really hard, training every day and in the gym, trying to do the right things, be seen to do the right things and be coachable.
"When you go into full-time under Alan Walsh, it was about learning and taking things on and developing as a player. Then, hopefully you progress as a good young player. It was an amazing moment on the pitch at The Mem. I would have been 15 then, so if you said to that lad there that you'd be captain of Bristol Rovers one day, I would have snatched your hand off. I'm super proud, and it goes to show how far I've come."
Signing a scholarship is one thing, but keeping your place and continuing to push towards the first team is another. Put into digs, Kilgour got to know his teammates and really get a sense of what it was like to be a footballer on and off the pitch. It was a completely new feeling for some, but it was not for Kilgour.
"I moved out of my home, moved to Bristol, and you have to fend for yourself," said the defender. "I used to get on the bus at seven o'clock, two buses up to The Mem, and you have to look after yourself. You have to stick to your principles as a person off the pitch as well.
"I was very fortunate with my mum and dad. They brought me up right and taught me to treat people with respect. You just grow up really fast. Whatever you've been brought up to be, you're the person you've tried to be growing up, and the person your parents have put on you; you embrace that, and then it comes into play as a young adult.
"I remember I would get home from training, and I would go straight to the gym for about four hours just to try and put on a bit of muscle, as I was so skinny. The other lads would just be lying in their beds in the gym, but I would be like, 'I'm off to the gym'. I felt so fortunate to be given a chance, even with the scholarship. It wasn't just a given. I knew I had to work hard every day, which was the most important thing.
"All good lads and all good players as well. We were probably all in the same boat as first-years. You go in as a scholar, and it's a bit of a reality check. You come out of school, and you're training every day and working hard.
"Alan Walsh was the academy manager, and he was pretty old school and didn't beat around the bush on too many things, which was probably a bit of a reality check for some. Fortunately, I had been around men's football with my dad and trained with first-team clubs in non-league, so I knew the reality of it. They are all good lads, and I'm still in touch with the majority of them now."
Loans to Mangotsfield United, Cirencester Town, Hungerford Town and Maidenhead United followed before he was handed his Rovers debut, coming off the bench in a 1-0 away victory over Gillingham in March 2019. Kilgour might not have been at the heart of the action, but it gave him the feeling of professional football, which he was desperate for again.
"I came on for a few minutes against Gillingham away. It was amazing. I got the curly finger off the bench to go on for the last few minutes, and I was so excited just to get on that pitch because once you've done that, nobody can take it away from you.
"I got chucked on in the middle of a back three, and I don't even think I touched the ball. I think it was just up the other end. That was an amazing moment, and as soon as I got on, I just wanted more."
One feeling better than playing in the blue-and-white quarters is scoring in them. He netted for the first time in the league in a 4-2 comeback win over Southend United, in a triumph that meant more than just three points.
"It's so special, said Kilgour. "It's the best feeling in the world, really. I loved my first full season, when I really kicked on and played 46-odd games. It was a good feeling as well because I think we were two-nil down at half-time, and we were supposed to be going on our Christmas do. At half-time, it was borderline cancelled. Luckily, we brought it back and got the coach up to Manchester."
The first league goal meant a lot to Kilgour, but the second was the most spectacular. Approaching the edge of the box with possession against Blackpool in 2020, the defender drilled a powerful strike into the top left corner. The goal was special, and getting to see his parents celebrate in the crowd made it even better.
"The one against Blackpool was a great feeling," he said. "We got back to one-all. I know we were on a bit of a sticky patch and were on a bit of a losing streak. That was a big goal, and then, while I was wheeling off, I saw my mum and dad going absolutely mad in the stand. It was really special, and hopefully I'll score another one of them soon."
After 17 years and 119 games for the Pirates, Kilgour left Rovers for Mansfield Town in 2023, but he did not stay away for long. In 2025, the defender returned to the Pirates and was made Club captain before the start of the 2025/26 season. For Kilgour, it was an easy decision to come back to a place he calls home.
"I came back home in every way," he said. "Home in terms of football, and home in terms of where I live, where I grew up and being around my family. I started life back here after being up in Mansfield, and it was a no-brainer for me.
"I can definitely tell that's a man who's gone away and developed and changed and grown as a person on and off the pitch. I am very proud of how far I have come and the changes, the ups and downs. It's not been easy; it hasn't been plain sailing at all in terms of injuries and being away from home.
"It was a no-brainer for me, and I'm so fortunate to be here and starting a family here, have my mum and dad here and to come to this beautiful training ground every day. It's a real privilege, and I'm very lucky."
Simply put, Kilgour is a warrior on the pitch. In Rovers' first league victory last season against Cambridge United, he finished the fixture with an assist, a clean sheet and a massive cut under his eye. A good day's work for a defender at any level.
Kilgour has always had a battling spirit and a desire to win, inspired by his father.
"Sometimes the cuts come to you, and you try to avoid them," he said, smiling. "When I was a kid, I used to watch my dad; he was a centre-half, played non-league, and he was always coming home with bumps and bruises, and I used to think it was cool. I'm getting my own, which is nice.
"It's a great feeling at The Mem after you win three points: the fans are clapping you off, your family is there, and everyone is supporting you.
"When you get three points with the lads, you go to war, and you get the job done; it's special. Sat in the changing room, you can have cuts on your face, injuries, dead legs and grazes, but you've got three points. It's the best feeling in the world."
Kilgour also made his 100th league appearance for the Pirates last season in a 1-1 draw with Colchester United. His impressive achievement was marked with a special presentation on the pitch at The Mem, surrounded by his parents, who stood on the pitch for his scholarship years ago and his now-fiancée, Holly.
Moments like that make all the ups and downs worth it for Kilgour, who is far from done yet.
"They are probably very proud and happy with 100 games under my belt, which is an amazing achievement," said Kilgour. "I've still got the shirt on the wall. It's amazing, and that's what it's all about.
"Especially for my mum and dad. Those times driving you here, there and everywhere. Dad getting in from work, mum making his dinner in a Tupperware, and then driving to Bristol to take me to training- it makes it all worth it, and I'm glad I could pay them back. I absolutely love it, and I'm only 28, so long may it continue."
