George Woodford

George Arthur Woodford (22 April 1915 – 21 April 1966) was an English professional footballer who played as a full back for Norwich City and Southampton in the 1930s.

George Woodford
Personal information
Full name George Arthur Woodford
Date of birth (1915-04-22)22 April 1915
Place of birth Lymington, England
Date of death 21 April 1966(1966-04-21) (aged 50)
Place of death Southampton, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s) Full back
Youth career
Lymington
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1934–1937 Norwich City 10 (0)
1937–1939 Southampton 7 (0)
1939 Lymington
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Football career

Woodford was born at Lymington,[1] but started his professional career at Norwich City.[2] He had been spotted by Norwich City's scout in Hampshire, the former Southampton player, Jim Angell.[3] He joined the Canaries as an amateur in October 1934, signing a professional contract in September 1935. He made his first-team debut on 4 April 1936 in a Second Division draw with Bradford City.[4] After making ten league appearances for Norwich, Woodford followed manager Tom Parker to Second Division rivals Southampton in June 1937.[2]

At The Dell, Woodford was used as cover for Charles Sillett and Arthur Roberts. He made his debut for the Saints at left back in a 3–1 victory against his former club, Norwich City, on New Year's Day 1938, when Roberts was injured.[5] His next match was a fortnight later in a 3–0 defeat at Aston Villa, following which Roberts returned to the side. Woodford was "able to use both feet with equal facility" whose "outstanding traits (were) his industry and mobility".[2]

Woodford returned to the side for four matches in April, but only played once more in the following season, after which he was released, joining his home-town club, Lymington.[2]

References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 287. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  2. Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (1992). The Alphabet of the Saints. ACL & Polar Publishing. pp. 373–374. ISBN 0-9514862-3-3.
  3. Bull, David (28 November 2012). "Where Angell Dared". The Southampton Matchday Programme: Southampton vs Norwich City.
  4. "Debutants 1936". Sing Up The River End!. canaryseventyninety. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  5. Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan (1987). Saints – A complete record. Breedon Books. p. 99. ISBN 0-907969-22-4.
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