George Smith (footballer born 1919)
Encyclopedia
George Clarence Bassett Smith (24 March 1919 – 21 December 2001) was an English footballer who played most of his professional career for Southampton
in the period either side of World War II
.
and christened George Clarence Bassett, he was brought up in Guernsey
by adoptive parents, who gave him the surname Smith. He played junior football in the Channel Islands
for Guernsey Schools and Guernsey Rangers.
After a brief spell as an amateur with Huddersfield Town
he joined Southampton as an amateur in October 1937, signing as a professional in July 1938. His tenacious displays for the reserves earned him the nickname "Guernsey Terrier" from his team-mates. His hard-working style of play eventually earned him a place in the first team and he made his debut on 4 February 1939 (away to West Bromwich Albion
), replacing the injured Frank Hill
. He had a run of nine appearances before Hill returned.
His career was then interrupted by the suspension of football following the outbreak of World War II
.
During the war he saw active service with the R.A.F.
as a rear gunner and then as an instructor, before returning to The Dell
after he was de-mobbed
.
He then enjoyed a couple of seasons as a regular, either at right-half or left-half, before losing his place in October 1948 to the young Len Wilkins
. He never made another first-team appearance and was released at the end of the 1948-49 season.
He joined Crystal Palace
in May 1950 where he played only seven games. He then retired from professional football and played non-league football for Dartford
and King's Lynn
, before joining the latter club as a coach in 1955.
where he settled in Albury, New South Wales
, finding employment as an ambulance driver and then working for a gas company, while helping to establish the Albury, Wodonga and Lavington
Soccer Association.
He was also a trainer and physiotherapist with Albury Football Club
(Australian Rules
).
He died in December 2001, aged 82.
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...
in the period either side of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Football career
Although he was born in PortsmouthPortsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
and christened George Clarence Bassett, he was brought up in Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
by adoptive parents, who gave him the surname Smith. He played junior football in the Channel Islands
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
for Guernsey Schools and Guernsey Rangers.
After a brief spell as an amateur with Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
he joined Southampton as an amateur in October 1937, signing as a professional in July 1938. His tenacious displays for the reserves earned him the nickname "Guernsey Terrier" from his team-mates. His hard-working style of play eventually earned him a place in the first team and he made his debut on 4 February 1939 (away to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
), replacing the injured Frank Hill
Frank Hill
Frank Robert Hill was a Scottish football player and manager.-Forfar and Aberdeen:Hill was born in Forfar and started his career at Forfar Athletic, joining the club in 1924. He moved to Aberdeen in 1928 and played over 100 Scottish First Division matches...
. He had a run of nine appearances before Hill returned.
His career was then interrupted by the suspension of football following the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
During the war he saw active service with the R.A.F.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
as a rear gunner and then as an instructor, before returning to The Dell
The Dell (Southampton F.C.)
The Dell in Milton Road, Southampton, England was the home ground of Southampton Football Club, between 1898 and 2001.-New stadium:Since 1896, Southampton had been tenants of Hampshire County Cricket Club at the County Ground, having vacated the Antelope Ground in the summer of 1896...
after he was de-mobbed
Demobilization
Demobilization is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and military force will not be necessary...
.
He then enjoyed a couple of seasons as a regular, either at right-half or left-half, before losing his place in October 1948 to the young Len Wilkins
Len Wilkins
Leonard Wilkins was a professional footballer who played his entire career for Southampton from 1945 to 1958.-External links:**...
. He never made another first-team appearance and was released at the end of the 1948-49 season.
He joined Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in May 1950 where he played only seven games. He then retired from professional football and played non-league football for Dartford
Dartford F.C.
Dartford F.C. are an English football club based in Dartford, Kent. After finishing as champions of the Isthmian League Division One North in the 2007–08 season, they compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division. They finished in 8th position in their first season...
and King's Lynn
King's Lynn F.C.
King's Lynn F.C. was an English football club based in King's Lynn, Norfolk. Established in 1879, they were wound up at the High Court on 25 November 2009 with debts of £77,000 and went out of business in December after a failed appeal...
, before joining the latter club as a coach in 1955.
Later career
In 1958, he and his family emigrated to AustraliaAustralia
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...
where he settled in Albury, New South Wales
Albury, New South Wales
Albury is a major regional city in New South Wales, Australia, located on the Hume Highway on the northern side of the Murray River. It is located wholly within the boundaries of the City of Albury Local Government Area...
, finding employment as an ambulance driver and then working for a gas company, while helping to establish the Albury, Wodonga and Lavington
Lavington, New South Wales
Lavington is a suburb of the city of Albury, New South Wales, located north of the Albury Central Business District. At the 2006 census, Lavington had a population of 12 477....
Soccer Association.
He was also a trainer and physiotherapist with Albury Football Club
Albury Football Club
The Albury Football Club are an Australian rules football club which compete in the Ovens & Murray Football League.The club is based in Albury, New South Wales.Two Brownlow Medallists, Haydn Bunton senior and Denis Ryan, both started their career at Albury....
(Australian Rules
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
).
He died in December 2001, aged 82.