George Anderson (soccer executive)
Encyclopedia
George Anderson was a Canadian soccer organizer and manager. Born in Strichen
, Aberdeenshire
, Scotland, Anderson moved to Canada when he was 19, first living in Souris, Manitoba
and then in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He served in the Canadian army during the First World War.
Following the Second World War, Anderson organized the relaunch of the Dominion Football Association/Canadian Football Association. He served on the executive from 1950 to 1968 and played a major role in organizing Canada's first FIFA World Cup
entry in 1957 (the team did not qualify for the 1958 FIFA World Cup
). Anderson has been inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
and the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame
.
Strichen
Strichen is a village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It sits on the A981, connecting it to New Deer to the southwest and Fraserburgh to the north-northeast, and the B9093, connecting it to New Pitsligo about four miles due west. The village got its name from Lord Strichen. It is situated on the River...
, Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
, Scotland, Anderson moved to Canada when he was 19, first living in Souris, Manitoba
Souris, Manitoba
Souris is a town in the southwestern portion of the Canadian province of Manitoba, 2006 population 1,772, total including Glenwood Municipality is 2,412. It is located on the Souris River, from which it takes its name. The town is home to Canada's longest historic cable-stayed footbridge , known...
and then in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He served in the Canadian army during the First World War.
Following the Second World War, Anderson organized the relaunch of the Dominion Football Association/Canadian Football Association. He served on the executive from 1950 to 1968 and played a major role in organizing Canada's first FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
entry in 1957 (the team did not qualify for the 1958 FIFA World Cup
1958 FIFA World Cup
The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
). Anderson has been inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is a hall of fame established in 1955 to "preserve the record of Canadian sports achievements and to promote a greater awareness of Canada's heritage of sport." It is located at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta...
and the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame
Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame
The Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in Vaughan, Ontario, was founded in 1997. It was incorporated by the Ontario Soccer Association. The Hall aims to celebrate and highlight the achievements of top Canadian Footballers and Builders who have played and developed the game in Canada...
.