George Yardley (footballer)
Encyclopedia
George MacArthur Yardley (born in Kirkcaldy
on 8 October 1941) is a Scottish
former footballer. Yardley began his career as a goalkeeper before becoming a centre forward.
as a goalkeeper. After sustaining a hand injury in 1960 Yardley switched to primarily playing as a forward though he did play a number of matches in goal.
, playing four matches.
.
, playing one match.
. In four seasons between 1966 and 1970 he played 123 matches, scoring 68 goals. He was leading goal scorer for Rovers on four separate occasions.
He played one season at St. George during the 1965 Australian season after emigrating to Australia
in August 1964.
His second stint was in 1969 before returning to Tranmere Rovers. At the completion of his career at Tranmere he moved again to Australia.
in the 1973/1974 season.
Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. The town lies on a shallow bay on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth; SSE of Glenrothes, ENE of Dunfermline, WSW of Dundee and NNE of Edinburgh...
on 8 October 1941) is a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
former footballer. Yardley began his career as a goalkeeper before becoming a centre forward.
Early football
Yardley played his first football as a goalkeeper as an eight year old playing for Dunnikier Primary School. However on moving to Temple Hall Secondary School he was forced to play as a forward because another goalkeeper was already playing.Frances Colliery Juniors
At Frances Colliery Juniors he played mostly as a forward, occasionally playing in goal.East Fife
In 1959 he signed an amateur contract with East FifeEast Fife F.C.
East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
as a goalkeeper. After sustaining a hand injury in 1960 Yardley switched to primarily playing as a forward though he did play a number of matches in goal.
Forfar Athletic
In 1964 Yardley trialled with Forfar AthleticForfar Athletic F.C.
Forfar Athletic Football Club are a Scottish semi-professional football club from the town of Forfar, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Second Division...
, playing four matches.
Montrose
He then played out the second half of the 1963/1964 season with MontroseMontrose F.C.
Montrose Football Club is a Scottish semi-professional football team, based in the town of Montrose, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Third Division.- Early years :...
.
Luton Town
On returning from Australia in October 1966, Yardley trialled for a month with English Fourth Division team Luton TownLuton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
, playing one match.
Tranmere
In November 1966 he moved to Tranmere RoversTranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
. In four seasons between 1966 and 1970 he played 123 matches, scoring 68 goals. He was leading goal scorer for Rovers on four separate occasions.
St. George-Budapest
Yardley played for Australian club St. George-Budapest in three separate stints.He played one season at St. George during the 1965 Australian season after emigrating to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in August 1964.
His second stint was in 1969 before returning to Tranmere Rovers. At the completion of his career at Tranmere he moved again to Australia.
Altrincham
Yardley had a short stint with AltrinchamAltrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
in the 1973/1974 season.