Q&A: Ciaran ‘Killer’ Kilheeney

With Warrington Town’s 75th anniversary being recognised this season, we’re celebrating individuals who have contributed to where the club is at now.

Striker Ciaran Kilheeney was a major part of putting Warrington Town on the map, leading the line during the 2015/16 season that saw the club promoted to the Northern Premier League. He scored 41 goals that season, netting a total of 84 in 133 games across four seasons with the club.

We were able to sit down with Killer, a firm fan favourite around Cantilever Park, to chat to him seven years on from leaving the club.

Welcome back to Warrington Town. How good is it to be back?

It’s always great to come back here. Obviously a lot has happened with the ground and the club has gone from strength to strength, so it’s always good to visit. .

You scored 84 goals for Warrington. Does it feel like a long time since you were banging in the goals here? Do you fancy coming back and adding the other 16 to make it to 100?

I’m too old for that now! But I was speaking to Toby and Robbo again earlier and it feels like it was yesterday!

You’ll be remembered for the goals you scored in the league title season. What was it like to hit that kind of form where everything you touched went into the back of the net?

You look at the squad from goalkeeper to subs. Everyone played a massive part, and every time we went out onto the pitch we knew we were going to win. We lost one game in the league all season. It’s an unbelievable feeling, and I just felt I was going to score every game.

You had two spells with the club and you missed out on the FA Cup year. Was there a little bit of regret there, especially given you played for Exeter early in your career?

Those games are the games you want to play really as a non-league club in the FA Cup. I was actually watching on telly as I couldn’t get a ticket! I was gutted to miss out, but for my friends in the team and for the club too, it was excellent for them.

How difficult was it for you when you finished playing?

It was hard. I did a pre-season at Droylsden and my body just wasn’t feeling it anymore. With my style being three, four yard bursts, it was difficult to keep that in-game. The biggest change is the Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays as it takes up your whole life, so you end up with a lot more time on your hands! I never had the time to manage full-time, but I’m a chairman of a kids football club now and it keeps me entertained, but I still miss the buzz of getting out and competing.

What memories stand out from your time at Warrington Town?

Obviously, the league title and that season itself. The best thing about the club though is that it is actually a club. You know everyone from the chairman down to the volunteers. From a playing side, the memories form into one really, but it’s the club as a whole that I take memory-wise.

At National League North level now, the club is on the footballing map. What’s your perception on where the club is at from an outside perspective?

It’s unbelievable. Toby’s been here for 14/15 years now, and in that time we’ve had multiple promotions, were steady in the league last season, and they’re going from strength to strength. The most important thing is that they’ve done it the right way. They haven’t just thrown a lot of money at people – they’ve been sustainable. So there’s no added pressure and it’s a great story. They’re in a difficult league and it’ll be tough to get out of it, but the people behind the scenes will do their best to give it a good go.

You were playing in front of crowds of about 200 people here, and now it’s up to 1,200-1,300. It must be mad to see the growth in that regard?

Oh it’s unbelievable. We’d have 300 people, a few dogs around and kids playing on the astroturf. The club is increasing year on year, on and off the field, and it’s great to see.

Finally, what do you get up to post-football?

I’m a commercial finance broker. Anything finance-related for business, we put solutions in place with them. So, we’re used to sustainability and growth, and it’s good to see it at Warrington Town.

Be part of the journey – 2024/25 season tickets are on sale now!