Although born in England, Neil grew up in Brisbane and played at international level for Australia in June 2006 when he came on as a substitute in a 3-1 World Cup warm-up win.

He spent the summer at the Beijing Olympics but, like so many other Olympic footballers, it wasn't until later in the season that he came to the fore with a string of impressive displays after Simon Grayson gave him the opportunity to play in his favoured central midfield role.

Neil began his career as an apprentice player at Arsenal but left there in 2004 to join Birmingham City, though he was loaned out to Oldham in November of that year to gain first team experience and he made his first senior team start.

He enjoyed a fair amount of success there and was rewarded by being voted the club's Players' Young Player of the Year. He rejoined Birmingham for the 2005-2006 and played 26 games for the Blues before having another spell at Oldham before moving to Elland Road where he signed a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The United manager rebuffed an approach from Doncaster Rovers for Kilkenny during the summer around the same time as the player underwent a minor operation to assist with his breathing.

Neil Kilkenny celebrates scoring during the 2008/09 season...