The FC United skipper's sensational goalscoring exploits with the rebel Reds last term, which led to him being snapped up by Macc in May, have now landed him MEN Sport's coveted Greater Manchester non-League player-of-the- season award in association with Bargain Booze.
The one-time Crewe starlet's remarkable record of 24 goals in just 32 FC appearances made him the unanimous choice of our judging panel featuring M.E.N. Sport editor Pete Spencer and non-League soccer writer Tony Glennon.
He'll now receive £500, plus a bottle of champagne, after beating off strong competition from Salford City's Steve Foster and Glossop North End's Jason Gorton to secure the award won 12 months ago by Altrincham's veteran front man Colin Little.
And one lucky MEN reader, Peter Shaw, of Greenfield, Oldham, will join Kyle in cracking open the bubbly after his selection was chosen by our judges from among the hundreds backing the 23-year-old Wirral-based ace, son of former Stalybridge Celtic boss Phil Wilson, to top our 12-strong shortlist of candidates published in June.
Peter, who also gets a VIP trip to an FC United game, where he will team up with Bargain Booze's head of marketing, Mat Leach, to present Wilson with his prize, wrote: "My vote is firmly with Kyle. His performances for FC United were a superb mix of individual skill and willingness to contribute to the team.
"Had he not missed the last three months of the season through injury, he would have easily been the UniBond premier division's top scorer by a bigger margin.
"His efforts attracted the attention of a number of League clubs, resulting in him joining Macclesfield.
"All the very best, Kyle - I'm sure you'll be a big hit at Moss Rose."
Wilson's joy at scooping the award is matched by his determination to make his mark with Macc.
He said: "I'm delighted to have earned the recognition of the MEN and its readers and so grateful to FC United for giving me a leg-up back into the League.
"FC are a great club and I enjoyed my time with them so much, but I've wanted to return to the pro game ever since leaving Crewe.
"As a player, you always want to test yourself against the best opposition, so joining Maccles- field was an opportunity I simply couldn't pass up.
"I'm indebted to Macc's manager, Keith Alexander, for giving me a second chance to prove myself in the League. I had no hesitation signing for him when I heard he was interested in me."
Wilson, now back to full fitness after recovering from knee surgery, insists he's setting himself no targets other than to force himself into Macc's League Two starting line-up.
He added: "All I want is a chance to get into the Macc side, get playing well from the start and see what happens."
Silkmen boss Alexander has no doubts about Wilson's potential, saying: "I saw him play several times last season and believe he has the ability to make the step-up to our level.
"He is desperate to show he can hold his own in the League and, as scoring goals was our problem last season, Kyle has a chance to make his mark."
FC United manager Karl Marginson, himself a former Macclesfield player, is also backing Wilson to shine.
He said: "I shudder to think how many goals Kyle would have finished up with for us had his season not been cut short.
"But let's not forget his general play was also outstanding, making him a worthy winner of the MEN's prestigious non-League player-of-the-season award.
"It came as no surprise when Macc came in for Kyle and, much as we're sorry to lose him, I'm sure he'll be a big success there."
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Free Red, Manchester (07/08/2009 at 12:42)
phil m, cumbria (07/08/2009 at 13:17)
vegas-blue, stalyvegas (10/08/2009 at 13:05)
phil m, cumbria (11/08/2009 at 09:58)
Free Red, Manchester (11/08/2009 at 12:24)
Directions: By Car: Leave M60 at junction 8 taking A6144(M) towards Lymm, Partington and Carrington, at second set of traffic lights turn right on B5158 towards Flixton. Remain on B5158 crossing the railway bridge at Flixton Station and turn right at next set of traffic lights, passing the Bird In the hand Pub. Turn immediately right into Pennybridge Lane. Car park is approximately 100 yards on left, adjacent to ground.
Public Transport. Train: Nearest station Chassen Road
Dash Walny Manchester via Poland (11/08/2009 at 14:53)
Stad, Manchester (11/08/2009 at 16:05)
Free Red, Manchester (12/08/2009 at 13:01)
In other Fc news, with 3 days to go before we kick off the new season we have now reached our £125,000 target for season ticket sale. The 'pay what you can afford' idea has proved so popular that Fc United members were given the option of voting on doing it again using an on-line ballot. I would be amazed if the vote isn't near a 100% "YES please I'll have more of the same ta very much". Our future is secure and that's a fact you can take to the bank. Viva la Revolution, Come on FC.
vegas-blue, stalyvegas (12/08/2009 at 13:49)
Ridiculous! The only half decent player, Kyle Wilson, has seen the light and done a runner. I predict a relegation battle this season for the kick and rush merchants.
Free Red, Manchester (12/08/2009 at 15:53)
Saturday's game naturally kicks off at 3.00pm with turnstiles open from 2.00pm. CYCM will be open from 12.00 o'clock and the Main Stand Inn from 1.00pm. It's members only, but signing up on the day only costs a tenner and as an added bonus you get an equal share in owning your own football club. Howzat for a bargain!
Remember, the trams aren't running on the Altrincham and Eccles lines but it's business as usual on the Bury line (from Victoria).
The journey takes about 25 minutes with a return ticket costing £3.50. For more information on Metrolink services and for details of buses to Bury see http://www.gmpte.com
So for just £7.50, or £2.00 quid for under 18s, get yourselves down to Gigg Lane on Saturday...if only to help drown out the Boston drums!
The DF stall will be back in its usual place on Saturday. As well as the usual array of FC books, badges, car stickers etc, there will be the 2nd hand books that we still have. The predict-a-result (still no proper name) will be back, predict the results of the days league games and win half the pot, the rest going to the DF. Now here is the important bit. FC United are doing their bit to ease the recession once again, even if it's only a raffle! In the spirit of providing flexible price season tickets this years safecracker tickets are priced at TWO for the price of ONE, or half the original price if you don't want two. That's right folks, they have gone down to £1.50 instead of last seasons £3.00. As the news of the ground gets nearer and nearer, we see the DF stall as an important information point, so please pop along if you get the chance, you will get a warm cheery welcome from the stall monkeys and you can bag yourself a bargain. And if that’s not enough material for a story MEN then al I can say is Viva la Revolution, come on FC (lol)
phil m, cumbria (12/08/2009 at 16:40)
Andrew Burnaby (12/08/2009 at 18:49)
I think that if the players stay healthy, FC have a realistic chance to win the league.
Here would be my line-up for the match against Boston:
4-4-2
GK: Ashton
RB: Warrender
CB: Chadwick
CB: Tong
LB: Garner
RMID: Roca
CMID: S. Carden
CMID: Moses
LMID: Wright
ST: Lomax
ST: Marsh
Substitutes: Nugent, Swirad, A. Carden, Deegan, Williams
vegas-blue, stalyvegas (13/08/2009 at 13:49)
Money where your mouth is Vegas blue, £200 says we finish top table against your relegation prediction.
You must have spent too much time in the pub before the match (just like the players)! I'll accept the bet and collect my winnings at the last game of the season.
Thank you in anticipation of your remittance in settlement!
Stad, Manchester (13/08/2009 at 15:53)
I think your comments say a lot more about your own insecurity than FC United.
Dash Walny Manchester via Poland (13/08/2009 at 16:26)
Enjoy the flames of your cellar dwelling club, while I enjoy my season ticket at the OT. I'm rather blinded by the reflection of the sun upon all the Silverware that we have won since you have been gone. I will be sending a hilarious postcard of myself in my OT standing positon that read on the back, "Wish you were here." I know, I know it will be rather disingenuous because I am glad you are not, but it is the thought that counts.
I understand to award all the true and faithful followers of Manchester United, after each home victory Joel Glazer himself will be doing a meet and greet of sorts with supporters, where he will be giving hugs to everyone and posing for pictures. If you renew for a 10 year plan, Wayne Rooney comes over to your house to cut your lawn and tend your garden. A true peoples club indeed!
If you sign what they are calling a "Lifetime Superfranchise Season Ticket Plan", SAF himself will become a godfather to your first born son. Imagine that! Sign me up.
Best wishes NON-league supporters. Maybe you will see me behind the goal on your Tele at the pub!
Dukinfield Blue, Manchester (13/08/2009 at 17:10)
Deep down you know this but I do admire your fortitude and pretence.
Free Red, Manchester (13/08/2009 at 23:00)
“If we’d have started the season as we finished it we’d have been out of sight. This time the lads know what to expect and we are aiming high. Boston will put out a strong side on Saturday, and despite their problems last season they still beat us twice at Gigg Lane, so we won’t be taking anything for granted. They have a new management team and they will be looking to make an impact.”
“The pre-seasons are over now and the players are raring to go. We’ve kept more or less the same nucleus of players together with two or three excellent new signings and some of the youth players making the step up who have the potential to become important players for us. This squad can do it, no doubt about it.”
“I know I keep saying this but we are all in this together. We need everyone to get down to Gigg Lane on Saturday and get behind the team from the first minute to the last no matter what happens. It means everything to the players, it’s what makes this club so special.
"Unfortunately, I won’t be on the touchline for the first two games due to a little disagreement with the linesman and referee in a game at the end of last season. So I’ll be sampling the atmosphere in the stands with the fans. Let’s raise the roof - don’t let me down!”
Stad, Manchester (14/08/2009 at 13:52)
Free Red, Manchester (14/08/2009 at 15:49)
phil m, cumbria (16/08/2009 at 08:55)
vegas-blue, stalyvegas (18/08/2009 at 15:41)