George Liddell
Encyclopedia
George M. Liddell was an English professional association football player and manager
.
for South Shields
, newly-elected to the Second Division
when the Football League
resumed after World War I
. He turned professional when he moved to Birmingham
in 1920. He spent the whole twelve years of his professional playing career at the club, for whom he made 345 appearances as wing-half
or fullback
in all competitions, and played in the 1931 FA Cup Final. He was a powerful defender who read the game well and was positive on the ball.
When manager Leslie Knighton
left Birmingham for Chelsea
in 1933, Liddell succeeded him. He remained in charge while the club retained their top-flight status, leaving the job at the end of the 1938–39
season once the club were relegated. During his six-year tenure he selected 70 different players for first team duty.
A trained teacher, Liddell taught at several schools in the Birmingham area, including Handsworth New Road Secondary Modern School
where he was head teacher in the early 1950s.
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
.
Biography
George Liddell first played League football as an amateurAmateur
An amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without pay and often without formal training....
for South Shields
South Shields F.C.
South Shields F.C. are a football club based in South Shields, England. They have a long and complicated history, with three distinct incarnations taking the name...
, newly-elected to the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
when 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...
resumed after 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...
. He turned professional when he moved to Birmingham
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
in 1920. He spent the whole twelve years of his professional playing career at the club, for whom he made 345 appearances as wing-half
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
or fullback
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
in all competitions, and played in the 1931 FA Cup Final. He was a powerful defender who read the game well and was positive on the ball.
When manager Leslie Knighton
Leslie Knighton
Albert Leslie Knighton was an English football manager.Knighton was born in Church Gresley, Derbyshire. His own playing career was cut short by injury, after which he moved into coaching and management...
left Birmingham for Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in 1933, Liddell succeeded him. He remained in charge while the club retained their top-flight status, leaving the job at the end of the 1938–39
1938-39 in English football
The 1938–39 season was the 64th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
season once the club were relegated. During his six-year tenure he selected 70 different players for first team duty.
A trained teacher, Liddell taught at several schools in the Birmingham area, including Handsworth New Road Secondary Modern School
Secondary modern school
A secondary modern school is a type of secondary school that existed in most of the United Kingdom from 1944 until the early 1970s, under the Tripartite System, and was designed for the majority of pupils - those who do not achieve scores in the top 25% of the eleven plus examination...
where he was head teacher in the early 1950s.