With a strong interest from various north west clubs, Burnley signed him in April 1951, and he continued to work at Leyland Motors as an apprentice coach painter, while still playing for the Reserves in the Central League.
In February 1954, he was called in to the Royal Air Force and was stationed at RAF Kirkham, but continued to play for Burnley during this period.
The following season, he continued to feature for the Clarets, scoring his last two goals for the club in the victory over Hamburg in the European Cup tie at Turf Moor.
He won one England cap, in place of the injured Tom Finney, whilst at Burnley, on 2 October 1954 in a 2–0 victory over Northern Ireland.
[2] Pilkington died in a care home in Adlington on 7 February 2020 aged 86 after a long battle with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.