He made his First Division debut for Burnley in 1952 at White Hart Lane, coming in on the left wing for Billy Elliott, who was away representing the Football League.

Although Burnley lost the game, Pilkington's performance against the England right back Alf Ramsey was sufficiently impressive to make Clarets boss Frank Hill realise he had a selection poser.

As a result, after a handful of first team games, Hill sold Elliott to Sunderland for big money in 1953.

Pilkington immediately became a first team regular with his fast and direct wing play on the left flank ensuring that Elliott was not missed. In his first season, he scored nine goals, all at Turf Moor and soon caught the eye of the international selectors and in March 1954 he won his first honour, representing England B in a game with Scotland at Roker Park.

He won his only full cap for England in October of that year, when he replaced Tom Finney in a 2-0 victory for England against Northern Ireland in Belfast.

Pilkington missed very few matches during his First Division career at Turf Moor with his sheer consistency week in, week out proving invaluable through the 1950's, as a side was built to win the title.

In fact, in early May 1960, on that fateful evening at Maine Road, the Clarets knew that only a victory would be good enough to bring the title back to Turf Moor.

Within four minutes of the kick off, Brian Pilkington himself had given Burnley the lead, cutting in from the left and shooting home across the diving Bert Trautmann. City equalised, but the title was won when Trevor Meredith netted the winning goal.

The following season was to be Pilkington's last at Burnley, as the challenge of the emerging Gordon Harris put him under pressure.

The move from Turf Moor came immediately after he had scored two goals against Hamburg in the European Cup. His destination was Burnden Park, as Bolton Wanderers came in for him.

He spent three years with the Trotters before joining Bury and then Barrow.

He returned to play for Leyland Motors before taking over as manager. He also managed Chorley and he is now a prominent and respected businessman.