George Farm
Encyclopedia
George Neil Farm was a Scottish professional football
goalkeeper
and manager.
Born in Slateford
, a suburb of Edinburgh
, Farm represented his country
on ten occasions, the last three of which occurred after a gap of five years.
Well-built, Farm possessed a distinctive way of holding the ball, preferring to catch it with one hand above and one below, as opposed to the more orthodox style of one hand on either side of the ball. He was a perfectionist, and could often be seen practicing long after his teammates had left.
, Farm began his professional career in 1947 at Hibernian
. After a year and only seven first-team appearances at Easter Road
, Farm signed for Blackpool
. Farm was kept out of the Hibs team by the good form of Jimmy Kerr
.
, then in England’s top division
, on a free transfer. He went on to break several appearance records and played in two FA Cup
finals (see 1951 FA Cup Final
and 1953 FA Cup Final).
Farm made his league debut for Blackpool on 18 September 1948, replacing an out-of-form Joe Robinson, in a home draw against Bolton Wanderers
. Robinson did not play for Blackpool again, as Farm went on to play in 111 consecutive league games. The first game he missed, due to his receiving a first cap for Scotland, on 18 October 1952, Blackpool lost, 4-0 at Tottenham Hotspur
. Harry Sharratt
deputised for that game.
Farm also played in all 47 of Blackpool's FA Cup ties between 1949 and 1960, including their victory in 1953 final.
On 29 October 1955, in a 6-2 home defeat by Preston North End
, Farm became one of the few goalkeepers to score a goal. He injured a shoulder and replaced Mudie at centre-forward, where he proceeded to open the scoring with his head. That season, Blackpool finished league runners-up to Manchester United
, the highest finish in the club's history.
In February 1960, at the age of 35 and after over 500 first-team appearances for the Tangerines (all while in the top division), Farm was granted a transfer. Blackpool manager Ron Suart
, who had once been the goalkeeper's teammate, accepted a bid of £3,000 for the Scot from Queen of the South
.
in 1959. In both games he played against England, he opposed future Queen of the South
team-mate Ivor Broadis
. Farm was not part of Scotland's trip to the 1954 FIFA World Cup
finals despite having played in the qualification campaign.
by manager Jimmy McKinnell, Jr. He went on to make 119 league appearances for the Dumfries
club, replacing McKinnell to become player-manager in three of his four years with the club. He guided Queens back to the Scottish First Division
with promotion as Second Division
runners-up in 1961-62
with a team that included future Scotland centre forward Neil Martin
, right winger Ernie Hannigan
(later re-united with Martin in England's top flight at Coventry City) and goals king of Queens Jim Patterson
; two years later, however, in January 1964, Farm was sacked
. The local press was filled with comments backing Farm and criticising the Willie Harkness-led board. Harkness initially announced Farm had "left by mutual consent" before admitting the club's directors had met to "relieve Mr. Farm of his duties as manager". The board retained him as a player, even though Farm had dropped himself some weeks before in favour of youngster Allan Ball
. Harkness and the board took charge of team affairs, but the club were relegated.
. In his final season at Raith, Farm repeated his achievements at Queens by guiding Rovers to promotion to Scotland's top division.
, with whom he won 51 out of 107 league games, in addition to winning the Scottish Cup
in 1968
and guiding them to the semi-finals of the resulting 1969 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
campaign. Dunfermline lost by one goal on aggregate to eventual winners Slovan Bratislava
(Slovan beat FC Barcelona
in the final). This is the greatest achievement in Dunfermline's history, surpassing even that of Jock Stein
's time at the club.
.
In 1988, Farm returned to Bloomfield Road
to take part in Blackpool F.C.'s celebrations to mark the Football League
's centenary.
Farm died in the city of his birth in 2004, five days after his 80th birthday.
Dunfermline Athletic
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
and manager.
Born in Slateford
Slateford
Slateford is a suburb of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is east of the Water of Leith.The former village of Slateford lies on the Lanark Road where it crosses the Water of Leith 1/4 of a mile south west of Slateford Station. The name "Slateford" comes from local rock found in the area and...
, a suburb of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Farm represented his country
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
on ten occasions, the last three of which occurred after a gap of five years.
Well-built, Farm possessed a distinctive way of holding the ball, preferring to catch it with one hand above and one below, as opposed to the more orthodox style of one hand on either side of the ball. He was a perfectionist, and could often be seen practicing long after his teammates had left.
Hibernian
After playing junior football with Armadale ThistleArmadale Thistle F.C.
Armadale Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from the town of Armadale, West Lothian. Formed in 1936 and nicknamed The Dale, they are members of the Scottish Junior Football Association and presently play in the East Region Premier League....
, Farm began his professional career in 1947 at Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
. After a year and only seven first-team appearances at Easter Road
Easter Road
Easter Road is a football stadium located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian . The stadium currently has an all-seated capacity of 20,421, which makes it the fifth-largest football stadium in Scotland. Easter Road is also...
, Farm signed for Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
. Farm was kept out of the Hibs team by the good form of Jimmy Kerr
Jimmy Kerr (footballer)
Jimmy Kerr was a Scottish football goalkeeper, who played for Hibernian and Queen of the South. Kerr appeared for Hibernian in the 1947 Scottish Cup Final and helped the club win the 1947–48 Scottish League championship...
.
Blackpool
Farm signed for BlackpoolBlackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, then in England’s top 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....
, on a free transfer. He went on to break several appearance records and played in two 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...
finals (see 1951 FA Cup Final
1951 FA Cup Final
The 1951 FA Cup Final was contested by Newcastle United and Blackpool at Wembley on 28 April 1951. Newcastle won 2–0, with both goals scored by Jackie Milburn....
and 1953 FA Cup Final).
Farm made his league debut for Blackpool on 18 September 1948, replacing an out-of-form Joe Robinson, in a home draw against Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
. Robinson did not play for Blackpool again, as Farm went on to play in 111 consecutive league games. The first game he missed, due to his receiving a first cap for Scotland, on 18 October 1952, Blackpool lost, 4-0 at Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
. Harry Sharratt
Harry Sharratt
Harold "Harry" Sharratt was an English footballer who represented Great Britain at the 1956 Summer Olympics. Sharratt, who played as a goalkeeper, remained an amateur player throughout his career, working as a school teacher during the week...
deputised for that game.
Farm also played in all 47 of Blackpool's FA Cup ties between 1949 and 1960, including their victory in 1953 final.
On 29 October 1955, in a 6-2 home defeat by Preston North End
Preston 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...
, Farm became one of the few goalkeepers to score a goal. He injured a shoulder and replaced Mudie at centre-forward, where he proceeded to open the scoring with his head. That season, Blackpool finished league runners-up to Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, the highest finish in the club's history.
In February 1960, at the age of 35 and after over 500 first-team appearances for the Tangerines (all while in the top division), Farm was granted a transfer. Blackpool manager Ron Suart
Ron Suart
Ronald Suart is an English former football player and manager.-Playing days:Suart was a full-back at Blackpool, playing alongside fellow defenders George Farrow and Harry Johnston in a team which also included Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen. Blackpool reached the 1948 FA Cup Final, but Suart...
, who had once been the goalkeeper's teammate, accepted a bid of £3,000 for the Scot from Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
.
Scotland
Farm's ten full Scotland caps included a 3 - 2 victory over West Germany at Hampden ParkHampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
in 1959. In both games he played against England, he opposed future Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
team-mate Ivor Broadis
Ivor Broadis
Ivan Arthur Broadis is a former England international footballer. Broadis' clubs were Carlisle United, Sunderland, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Queen of the South. Broadis played at inside forward...
. Farm was not part of Scotland's trip to the 1954 FIFA World Cup
1954 FIFA World Cup
The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. Switzerland was chosen as hosts in July 1946. The tournament set a number of all-time records for goal-scoring, including the highest average goals scored per game...
finals despite having played in the qualification campaign.
| # | Date | Opponent | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 October 1952 | Scotland 2 - 1 Wales | British International Championship | |
| 2 | 5 November 1952 | Scotland 1 - 1 Northern Ireland | British International Championship | |
| 3 | 18 April 1953 | England 2 - 2 Scotland | British International Championship | |
| 4 | 6 May 1953 | Scotland 1 - 2 Sweden | Challenge match | |
| 5 | 3 October 1953 | Northern Ireland 1 - 3 Scotland | FIFA World Cup qualifier | |
| 6 | 4 November 1953 | Scotland 3 - 3 Wales | FIFA World Cup qualifier | |
| 7 | 3 April 1954 | Scotland 2 - 4 England | FIFA World Cup qualifier | |
| 8 | 6 May 1959 | Scotland 3 - 2 West Germany | Challenge match | |
| 9 | 27 May 1959 | Netherlands 1 - 2 Scotland | Challenge match | |
| 10 | 3 June 1959 | Portugal 1 - 0 Scotland | Challenge match |
Queen of the South
With his dedication to fitness and practice, 35-year-old Farm was still a highly capable goalkeeper (only eight months before he played for Scotland) when he was signed to Queen of the SouthQueen of the South
For other uses see Queen of the South Queen of the South is an alternative title for the Queen of Sheba. The phrase Queen of the South is used in the New Testament and is attributed to Jesus Christ....
by manager Jimmy McKinnell, Jr. He went on to make 119 league appearances for the Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
club, replacing McKinnell to become player-manager in three of his four years with the club. He guided Queens back to the Scottish First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
with promotion as Second Division
Scottish Football League Second Division
The Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
runners-up in 1961-62
1961-62 in Scottish football
The 1961–62 season was the 65th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Dundee had an excellent start to the season, including a 5–1 win away to Rangers, and having a seemingly invincible lead by Christmas. A poorrun of form in the new year, including a...
with a team that included future Scotland centre forward Neil Martin
Neil Martin
Neil Martin is a Scottish former football player, who scored 100 league goals in both Scotland and England and won three full international caps for Scotland in the 1960s and 1970s. Known for his strength, power, bravery and commitment, Martin scored consistently in a journeyman career...
, right winger Ernie Hannigan
Ernie Hannigan
Ernest 'Ernie' Hannigan is a Scottish former footballer. Hannigan was a fast, tricky, right winger. He is perhaps best known for his games at 3 clubs and the partnership he forged with Scotland international centre forward Neil Martin at 2 of them; 147 games at Queen of the South and 47 at...
(later re-united with Martin in England's top flight at Coventry City) and goals king of Queens Jim Patterson
Jim Patterson (footballer)
James "Jim" Patterson is a former professional footballer and all-time record goalscorer for Scottish League club Queen of the South.-Early years:...
; two years later, however, in January 1964, Farm was sacked
Layoff
Layoff , also called redundancy in the UK, is the temporary suspension or permanent termination of employment of an employee or a group of employees for business reasons, such as when certain positions are no longer necessary or when a business slow-down occurs...
. The local press was filled with comments backing Farm and criticising the Willie Harkness-led board. Harkness initially announced Farm had "left by mutual consent" before admitting the club's directors had met to "relieve Mr. Farm of his duties as manager". The board retained him as a player, even though Farm had dropped himself some weeks before in favour of youngster Allan Ball
Allan Ball
Allan Ball is an English former footballer. Born in Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham, Ball played as a goalkeeper, spending most of his professional career with Scottish club Queen of the South. Ball made 731 first team appearances for Queens, a club record, between 1963 and 1982...
. Harkness and the board took charge of team affairs, but the club were relegated.
Raith Rovers (first spell)
A trio of three-year managerial appointments followed between the mid-1960s and mid-'70s. Firstly, from 1964 until 1967, he was in charge of Raith RoversRaith Rovers F.C.
Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the...
. In his final season at Raith, Farm repeated his achievements at Queens by guiding Rovers to promotion to Scotland's top division.
Dunfermline Athletic
Between 1967 and 1970, Farm took charge of DunfermlineDunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
, with whom he won 51 out of 107 league games, in addition to winning the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
in 1968
1967-68 in Scottish football
The 1967–68 season was the 71st season of Scottish league football.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic Relegated: Motherwell, Stirling Albion-Scottish League Division Two:Promoted: St...
and guiding them to the semi-finals of the resulting 1969 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1968-69
The season 1968-69 of the European Cup Winners' Cup football club tournament was won by Slovan Bratislava in a final victory against FC Barcelona, the first time a side from the Eastern Bloc won the title...
campaign. Dunfermline lost by one goal on aggregate to eventual winners Slovan Bratislava
ŠK Slovan Bratislava
ŠK Slovan Bratislava is a football club based in Bratislava, Slovakia, that plays in the Corgoň liga. Founded as 1. ČsŠK Bratislava in 1919, the club changed its name to Slovan Bratislava in 1953...
(Slovan beat FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
in the final). This is the greatest achievement in Dunfermline's history, surpassing even that of Jock Stein
Jock Stein
John 'Jock' Stein CBE was a Scottish association football player and manager. He became the first manager of a British side to win the European Cup, with Celtic in 1967...
's time at the club.
Retirement
When Farm finally retired from football in 1974, he and his wife enjoyed a quiet life in Edinburgh. He was known in his later years as a commentator and journalist, but also spent a short spell as a lighthouse keeperLighthouse keeper
A lighthouse keeper is the person responsible for tending and caring for a lighthouse, particularly the light and lens in the days when oil lamps and clockwork mechanisms were used. Keepers were needed to trim the wicks, replenish fuel, wind clockworks and perform maintenance tasks such as cleaning...
.
In 1988, Farm returned to Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
to take part in Blackpool F.C.'s celebrations to mark 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...
's centenary.
Farm died in the city of his birth in 2004, five days after his 80th birthday.
As a player-manager
Queen of the South- Scottish Second DivisionScottish Football League Second DivisionThe Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
promotion: 1961-621961-62 in Scottish footballThe 1961–62 season was the 65th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Dundee had an excellent start to the season, including a 5–1 win away to Rangers, and having a seemingly invincible lead by Christmas. A poorrun of form in the new year, including a...
As a manager
Raith Rovers- Scottish Second Division promotion: 1966-671966-67 in Scottish footballThe 1966–67 season was the 70th season of Scottish League football.-Overview:A number of significant events occurred during the season...
Dunfermline Athletic
- Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
: 19681967-68 in Scottish footballThe 1967–68 season was the 71st season of Scottish league football.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic Relegated: Motherwell, Stirling Albion-Scottish League Division Two:Promoted: St...