United's KIlkenny: A year is a long time in footballNeil KilkennyTwelve months ago, while Leeds United were imploding, Neil Kilkenny sat with his head in his hands and his career lodged in a professional cul-de-sac.
The midfielder had asked to leave Birmingham City and been told in unambiguous terms that he would not be sold to any of the Coca-Cola Championship clubs interested in signing him.
It was not exactly a vote of confidence in Kilkenny; his last appearance had come months earlier.
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/United39s-KIlkenny-A-year-is.4114148.jpLeeds midfielder Kilkenny: I had no chance under Bruce Leeds United midfielder Neil Kilkenny says playing for Steve Bruce at Birmingham City had him "on my knees".
Former Arsenal trainee Kilkenny, 22, faces play-off rivals Doncaster at Wembley on Sunday in the biggest match of his career, but he admitted: "This time last year I was on my knees at Birmingham. I had to get out of there."
"He wasn't very good for me," said Kilkenny of Bruce. "He wouldn't play me but he wouldn't let me go. I used to train with the other players but when it came to Saturday I didn't play.
"That went on for a year. I was really down, it was the lowest I've ever been. I begged him to let me go out on loan. Luckily he let me go back to Oldham. I knew I'd be happy there.
"Alex McLeish said I could go. Hopefully, in three or four years we'll be in a better position than Wigan and I'll be here playing football in the Premier League."
Kilkenny was also wanted by rivals Doncaster but he said: "I couldn't turn down a big club like Leeds. I feel I made the right decision regardless of Sunday's result. All you want from your manager is honesty and the freedom to play."
Kilkenny hits out at Bruce: Whites midfielder blasts former Blues bossLeeds United midfielder Neil Kilkenny has hit out at former Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce.
The Australian playmaker fell out of the first-team picture at St Andrews last season and was forced to look elsewhere for regular football.
Kilkenny impressed at Oldham on loan before rejecting Doncaster to join Leeds on a permanent transfer during the January transfer window.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3600392,00.htmlLeeds star Kilkenny driven by Birmingham rejectionIN the kind of rich irony that football tends to specialise in, Leeds United midfielder Neil Kilkenny will this weekend try to scupper the promotion hopes of a club who he turned down just five months ago.
The 22-year-old was determined to get away from Birmingham City after a miserable stint in the Midlands and had a straight choice between the two clubs who will contest Sunday's League One play-off final.
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