George Green (full back)
Encyclopedia
George Green was a professional footballer who played at full-back
for Southampton
in the period prior to the First World War.
in north-west Kent
and started his football career with Northfleet United
, playing in the Kent League
. By 1914, he had attracted attention from several clubs, including Derby County
and Fulham
of the Football League
, and Brighton
and Southampton
of the Southern League
.
He signed for Southampton in April 1914, and made his debut at right-back in a 2–1 defeat at Northampton
on 18 April, the penultimate match of the 1913–14 season, filling in for the injured Fred Smith
. Following Smith's retirement in the summer of 1914, Green became the established right-back, playing in the first twelve matches of the 1914–15 season, before losing his place to Jack Small
in November, although he returned to the side in March.
Described as "an outstanding full-back, neat in style and quick off the mark", Green was expected to go far in the game, but his career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War I
, bringing the end of normal football in 1915. The "Saints" retained his registration during the war and he returned to the club in 1918, making a few appearances in the wartime leagues.
In 1919, Green decided to return to Kent and Southampton agreed to release him. He re-signed for Northfleet United
and helped them win the Kent League
title in 1919–20.
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in the period prior to the First World War.
Football career
Green was born in CrayfordCrayford
Crayford is a town and electoral ward in the London Borough of Bexley that was an important bridging point in Roman times across the River Cray, a tributary of the River Darent, which is itself a tributary of the River Thames.-History:...
in north-west Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
and started his football career with Northfleet United
Northfleet United F.C.
Northfleet United Football Club was a football club based in Northfleet, Kent.Founded in 1890, Northfleet United joined the Kent League in 1906-07 and were runners-up in their inaugural season. They followed that with three championship titles in 1907-08, 1908-09 and 1919-20...
, playing in the Kent League
Kent League
The Kent League is an English football league for teams based in Kent and south east London, which was established in 1966. It was also the name of a similar league which existed from 1894 until 1959.-History:...
. By 1914, he had attracted attention from several clubs, including Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
and Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
of the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, and Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
and Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
of the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
.
He signed for Southampton in April 1914, and made his debut at right-back in a 2–1 defeat at Northampton
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
on 18 April, the penultimate match of the 1913–14 season, filling in for the injured Fred Smith
Fred Smith (full back)
Frederick Smith was an English footballer who played as a full back in the period prior to World War I.-Football career:...
. Following Smith's retirement in the summer of 1914, Green became the established right-back, playing in the first twelve matches of the 1914–15 season, before losing his place to Jack Small
Jack Small (footballer)
Jack Small was an English professional footballer who played at wing-half either side of the First World War.-Football career:Small was born at South Bank, Middlesbrough and attended St. Peter's School, South Bank...
in November, although he returned to the side in March.
Described as "an outstanding full-back, neat in style and quick off the mark", Green was expected to go far in the game, but his career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, bringing the end of normal football in 1915. The "Saints" retained his registration during the war and he returned to the club in 1918, making a few appearances in the wartime leagues.
In 1919, Green decided to return to Kent and Southampton agreed to release him. He re-signed for Northfleet United
Northfleet United F.C.
Northfleet United Football Club was a football club based in Northfleet, Kent.Founded in 1890, Northfleet United joined the Kent League in 1906-07 and were runners-up in their inaugural season. They followed that with three championship titles in 1907-08, 1908-09 and 1919-20...
and helped them win the Kent League
Kent League
The Kent League is an English football league for teams based in Kent and south east London, which was established in 1966. It was also the name of a similar league which existed from 1894 until 1959.-History:...
title in 1919–20.