Cobblers Past

History Never Forgotten

Ahead of Remembrance Day, we are taking a look at former Northampton Town players who served in the military during the First or Second World War…

George was a prolific scorer in non-league football and Northampton trialed him in a benefit match at the tail end of the 1913-14 season.

The following season he formed a formidable partnership with Bill Lockett and between them their scoring exploits raised a few eyebrows. 

He had played for Crystal Palace as a guest during world war one and when the second division club needed a goal scorer they came to Northampton.

He scored one and set one up on his debut for the London club netting some 50 goals in his three seasons there. It was felt that had he not missed a chunk of the 1924-25 season with an eye injury his goals would have kept Palace in division Two.

As it was they went down and George left, not because they were relegated but because they would not give him a benefit match. He joined Sheffield Wednesday but after three months and no games he was off again.

He gave Hull three seasons and 32 goals before moving into non-league football with firstly Peterborough, then South Shields. By the Second World War he was running a fish and chip shop somewhere up north.

He was a very skilful player who could dribble and hold his own against the heaviest of defenders however he also had a side to him that often rubbed people up the wrong way.

One of his teammates at Northampton once scored a goal from the half way line. George felt scoring goals should be reserved for the forwards and refused to shake hands with the wing half like his team mates were.

It was once reported that he got into an argument with a player returning from an away match and tried to throw him off the train until teammates intervened.

ServiceBritish Army
RankPrivate
Service NumberF/315
RegimentDuke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
Unit17th (Service) Battalion (1st Football)
Type of Casualty 
Place of Death