George Smith (footballer born 1879)
Encyclopedia
George Smith was an English
professional footballer who played for several clubs at the beginning of the 20th century.
where he stayed for two seasons. At the end of his second season
, Preston were relegated from the First Division.
He then spent part of the 1901–02 season at Aston Villa
before moving to non-league New Brompton
In 1903 he joined Blackburn Rovers
where he stayed for three years, before joining Plymouth Argyle
.
In the summer of 1907 he signed for Southampton
of the Southern League
, where he was converted into an inside forward, playing alongside Frank Jefferis
, John Bainbridge
and John Lewis. As a forward he was prone to over-elaboration but had a powerful shot. He made 21 league appearances, scoring five goals, and also played in all six FA Cup
matches as Saints reached the semi-finals, losing to Wolverhampton Wanderers
who went on to take the cup in the final.
Everyone at the Saints was greatly shocked when George Smith suddenly collapsed and died, shortly before his 29th birthday in July 1908.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who played for several clubs at the beginning of the 20th century.
Playing career
Smith was born in Preston and played his youth football with Leyland. In July 1899 he started his professional career playing as a half-back at Preston North EndPreston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
where he stayed for two seasons. At the end of his second season
1900-01 in English football
The 1900–01 season was the 30th season of competitive football in England.-Events:Stockport County played their first season in the football league. Blackpool also returned to the league, at the expenses of Loughborough and Luton Town.-Honours:...
, Preston were relegated from the First Division.
He then spent part of the 1901–02 season at 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...
before moving to non-league New Brompton
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
In 1903 he joined Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
where he stayed for three years, before joining Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
.
In the summer of 1907 he signed 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...
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...
, where he was converted into an inside forward, playing alongside Frank Jefferis
Frank Jefferis
Frank Jefferis was a football player.-Playing career:He initially played football for his local non-league team, Fordingbridge Turks, before being invited for a trial at The Dell by Southampton of the Southern League in March 1905...
, John Bainbridge
John Bainbridge (footballer)
John Robert Bainbridge was a professional footballer who played as a forward for three Southern League clubs between 1903 and 1910....
and John Lewis. As a forward he was prone to over-elaboration but had a powerful shot. He made 21 league appearances, scoring five goals, and also played in all six FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
matches as Saints reached the semi-finals, losing to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
who went on to take the cup in the final.
Everyone at the Saints was greatly shocked when George Smith suddenly collapsed and died, shortly before his 29th birthday in July 1908.
External links
- Aston Villa profile at Aston Villa Player Database