Billy George (footballer, born 1874)

William George (29 June 1874 – 4 December 1933) was a footballer who played for Aston Villa from October 1897 to July 1911. His previous clubs were for the now defunct Woolwich Ramblers, Army football for the Royal Artillery and for Trowbridge Town when he was on leave. He was signed by Aston Villa from the Army for £50 in 1897. He played in 356 league matches and 40 cup matches.

Billy George
Personal information
Full name William George
Date of birth (1874-06-29)29 June 1874
Place of birth Shrewsbury, England
Date of death 4 December 1933(1933-12-04) (aged 59)
Place of death Birmingham, England
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
0000–1897 Trowbridge Town
1897–1911 Aston Villa 356 (0)
National team
1902 England 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

While at Villa Park George kept goal in three Villa title winning sides in 1899, 1900 and 1910 as well as their 1905 cup winning side. Conversely he was also in goal when Villa suffered a humiliating F A Cup defeat against Southern League Millwall Athletic in 1900.[1]

His international career was limited and he had 3 caps with the England team in 1902. He was sold to Birmingham City as a player/trainer in 1911.[2]

He is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers to have played for Aston Villa in its history.

One of the greatest – if not the greatest – goalkeeper in the history of the club. For many seasons was at the top of his form, after a superb opening display against WBA. Quick on his feet, splendid reach, full of resource, punches the ball with great power, fields well, and a grand kick. A rare good man on a side, and an ornament to the game — The Villa News and Record, 1 September 1906[2]

George also played 13 first-class cricket matches as a batsman with Warwickshire.[3] He also played county cricket for Wiltshire and, in 1900, for Shropshire while a club professional player at Shrewsbury.[4]

Notes
  1. Millwall vs Aston Villa match report
  2. "Billy George stats page". Aston Villa Player Database, Jörn Mårtensson. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  3. "William George". Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
  4. Percival, Tony (1999). Shropshire Cricketers 1844-1998. A.C.S. Publications, Nottingham. pp. 14, 44. ISBN 1-902171-17-9.Published by Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians.
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