Kilbride to don CAPER orange next season

By IAIN KING

When your brother has a CBU U SPORTS National Championship ring and you shine at soccer you are destined to be a CAPER.

Liam Kilbride watched his older sibling Cameron travel 4,310 kilometres from their home in Blackpool in the north of England to chase his dreams in Cape Breton.

In November 2023, they came true when midfielder Cam was part of the storied squad that lifted our second Canadian crown in program history with a 1-0 win over Montreal Carabins on home soil at Ness Timmons Field.

Now, 17-year-old left-sided midfielder Liam will follow in the family tradition and become a CAPER this fall and he smiles, "That ring? Yeah, Cameron shows me it every day!

"Seriously, to be fair, they are unique and special. You don't get things like that in British football and to own one? That's an aim for me.

"Cam is six years older than me and I do seek his advice. When I got my offer, he told me to go, have an experience of a lifetime.

"When I watched his title team, they were all so good. Ah, that was a brilliant squad.

"Cam loved being a part of it. He was the first person that spoke to me and said, go do it, do what I did, then try to do better."

Head Coach Deano Morley obviously had a head start with the Kilbride family having convinced Cam to make the journey across the Atlantic Ocean to sign for CBU.

Yet Liam is his own person and a different type of character and player than his older brother as he showed on his recruitment visit.

Deano reflects, "I am absolutely delighted to welcome Liam to our program. Of course, I have known the Kilbride family for some time, with Liam's older brother Cameron playing for us for four outstanding years, highlighted by winning a national championship on home soil with his parents proudly in the stands. That connection makes this moment even more special.

"Liam visited campus for a tour and trial, and we loved what we saw and felt right away. He is focused, mature and from our early conversations it was clear he is fully committed to both his education and his football development."

When Liam arrived on campus for his visit, he was managing a shoulder injury he had suffered playing back home.

Yet Coach Morley was struck by the work ethic and attitude the cultured playmaker exhibited.

He stresses, "Liam didn't complain about the injury for one second, he showed real toughness, he did not back down from anyone. That competitive edge tells you a lot about the character of a player.

"On the ball, Liam is technical, composed and intelligent. I particularly love his vision and calm decision-making in possession. He has the tools and the mindset to continue developing at a very high level.

"I truly believe Liam has a high ceiling and, more importantly, the work ethic required to reach his goals. He is the type of player who will quietly outwork most people in the room. That is an ingredient every great dressing-room needs.

"Will he be the next Kilbride National Champion? I think he has every chance. But as I told him… his brother only won one!

"I am incredibly excited to welcome Liam to the CAPERS family and look forward to working with him."

Having recruited in his homeland of England over the years, Coach Morley has built up a vast network of contacts.

They now include former England international winger Trevor Sinclair who has been a key figure in Liam's development as his coach at Pro Director Soccer Lancashire.

Sinclair was capped 12 times by England and starred alongside David Beckham in the 2002 World Cup Finals in a career that saw him play for the likes of Queens Park Rangers, West Ham United and Manchester City.

Google his name and you will see an astonishing bicycle kick that won him Goal of the Season in 1997. He is a priceless mentor for an ambitious soccer kid to have.

Liam reflects, "I would describe the set-up at Pro Direct as like being at a football college. Our coaches are Jamie Milligan, who played at Everton, and yes Trevor Sinclair.

"They are amazing guys. I learn a lot from them. I love it there. They are always drilling it into you, saying your mentality always needs to be better.

"The way they speak to you is just so good. And then you're in the mindset of just winning, winning, winning.

"Trevor played for England, didn't he? He played with Beckham and he does like to remind us of that.

"Jamie also played for England Under-21s and likes to remind us that he was better than Steven Gerrard when he was a youngster until he got an unfortunate injury!"

From the age of four years old when he started out at his local club Clifton Rangers, Liam has always excelled in the game he loves.

Through the Academy of Preston North End, who are now flying high in the English Championship, and the learning under trusted coaches Sinclair and Milligan he has been prepared for the biggest adventure of his life.

Now he will follow his brother's trail to Cape Breton having been convinced to make the leap on that recruitment visit to the island.

Liam, who will be pursuing a Bachelor of Community Studies with a focus on Sport and Physical Activity Leadership, reveals: "I loved every minute of that. All the coaches, the facilities, I loved everyone. All the players were so welcoming. I still speak to them all now.

"I feel that physically in the AUS I am going to have to make a big jump because you can see all the quality and the athleticism.

"I know, though, that Deano will help me get there. From the get-go I really liked our coach. His passion, I loved it. Speaks well, does his drills well.

"And then you look at where you're going to be living in residence, you're like 55 yards from the field, right? Yeah, you can literally look out from your window and see the pitch. It's amazing.

"I just want to succeed, make CBU great again, win titles, get a ring, have an overall experience. My brother has friends for life from his team and I want that too."