George Hadley (footballer)
Encyclopedia
George Angus Hadley was a Scottish footballer who played at wing-half either side of the First World War.
and played his early football with Willenhall Swifts, where he received junior honours for Scotland.
In July 1913, he moved to the south coast
to join Southampton
of the Southern League
. A "stocky, versatile half-back (who) could also play up front", Hadley made his first-team debut in a 2–0 defeat at Reading
on 1 November 1913 when he replaced Jim McAlpine
at left-half. After four matches, McAlpine was recalled and Hadley switched to right-half where he remained until February when he lost his place to Jack Small
. Hadley returned after three matches and ended the season with four matches at inside-left, scoring twice.
The following season, Hadley only missed five matches, generally playing as a wing-half but with the occasional appearance as an outside-forward. By the end of the season, England was at war and normal football was suspended. The "Saints" retained Hadley's registration throughout the war, and he played in the occasional wartime fixture.
After the end of the war, Hadley was sold to Aston Villa
of the Football League First Division
, for whom he made four appearances before a transfer to Coventry City
in July 1920. Hadley remained at City until 1922, when an injury brought his career to a close.
Football career
Hadley was born in West BromwichWest Bromwich
West Bromwich is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, in the West Midlands, England. It is north west of Birmingham lying on the A41 London-to-Birkenhead road. West Bromwich is part of the Black Country...
and played his early football with Willenhall Swifts, where he received junior honours for Scotland.
In July 1913, he moved to the south coast
Southern England
Southern England, the South and the South of England are imprecise terms used to refer to the southern counties of England bordering the English Midlands. It has a number of different interpretations of its geographic extents. The South is considered by many to be a cultural region with a distinct...
to join 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...
. A "stocky, versatile half-back (who) could also play up front", Hadley made his first-team debut in a 2–0 defeat at Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
on 1 November 1913 when he replaced Jim McAlpine
Jim McAlpine
James Walker McAlpine was a Scottish footballer, who played as a half back for Southampton in the Southern League before playing for Football League clubs Millwall and Gillingham.-Football career:...
at left-half. After four matches, McAlpine was recalled and Hadley switched to right-half where he remained until February when he lost 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...
. Hadley returned after three matches and ended the season with four matches at inside-left, scoring twice.
The following season, Hadley only missed five matches, generally playing as a wing-half but with the occasional appearance as an outside-forward. By the end of the season, England was at war and normal football was suspended. The "Saints" retained Hadley's registration throughout the war, and he played in the occasional wartime fixture.
After the end of the war, Hadley was sold to Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
of the Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, for whom he made four appearances before a transfer to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
in July 1920. Hadley remained at City until 1922, when an injury brought his career to a close.