George Spence (footballer)
Encyclopedia
George Spence was a Scottish professional footballer who played at either half-back
or inside-forward for various clubs in Scotland and England around the turn of the twentieth century.
on the Isle of Bute
and started his football career on the Scottish mainland with St. Mirren
, before moving to England in 1897.
After a brief spell at Derby County
, Spence joined Gainsborough Trinity
of the Football League Second Division
in the summer of 1898. He spent one season with Gainsborough, generally playing at inside-right, when he made 26 league appearances, scoring ten goals. Spence then moved to Reading
of the Southern League
where he spent two seasons before returning to the Football League
with Preston North End
in May 1901.
He spent the 1901–02 season at Preston, making 19 league appearances scoring seven goals. At the end of the season, Preston finished in third place, nine points behind Middlesbrough
in the runners-up position. Spence then returned to Reading for a further season.
In the 1903 close season, Spence moved to the Southern League champions, Southampton
. At the "Saints", Spence was used very much as a utility player
appearing in various positions either at half-back
or as a forward, although he was generally played on the left. He made his debut for Southampton playing at left-half in a 3–0 victory at New Brompton on 12 September 1903. Described as "fast, tricky, clever and a glutton for work", Spence made a few appearances in the various forward positions over the next six months, but it was not until March 1904 that he became established in the side when he took over from Samuel Meston
at left-half for the remainder of the season. At the end of the season
, Spence helped the Saints retain the Southern League championship, before moving on to Hull City
.
Hull City were founded in June 1904 and were restricted to friendly matches, although they did enter the FA Cup in the preliminary round, where they were eliminated by Stockton
after a replay, with Spence scoring twice, thus becoming Hull's "top-scorer" in competitive matches in the 1904–05 season. In 1905, Hull City were admitted to the expanded Football League Second Division
. Spence had the "honour" of scoring Hull's first goal in the Football League, in a 4–1 victory over Barnsley
on 2 September 1905. Hull finished their first league season in fifth place, with Spence having scored twice from 19 appearances, generally as an inside-forward.
At the end of the season, Spence returned to Scotland and played out his career with Clyde
and Cowdenbeath
.
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
or inside-forward for various clubs in Scotland and England around the turn of the twentieth century.
Football career
Spence was born in RothesayRothesay, Argyll and Bute
The town of Rothesay is the principal town on the Isle of Bute, in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It can be reached by ferry from Wemyss Bay which offers an onward rail link to Glasgow. At the centre of the town is Rothesay Castle, a ruined castle which dates back to the 13th...
on the Isle of Bute
Isle of Bute
Bute is an island in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Formerly part of the county of Buteshire, it now constitutes part of the council area of Argyll and Bute. Its resident population was 7,228 in April 2001.-Geography:...
and started his football career on the Scottish mainland with St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
, before moving to England in 1897.
After a brief spell at Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, Spence joined Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
of the Football League Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
in the summer of 1898. He spent one season with Gainsborough, generally playing at inside-right, when he made 26 league appearances, scoring ten goals. Spence then moved to Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
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 spent two seasons before returning to 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...
with 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...
in May 1901.
He spent the 1901–02 season at Preston, making 19 league appearances scoring seven goals. At the end of the season, Preston finished in third place, nine points behind Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in the runners-up position. Spence then returned to Reading for a further season.
In the 1903 close season, Spence moved to the Southern League champions, 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...
. At the "Saints", Spence was used very much as a utility player
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
appearing in various positions either at half-back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
or as a forward, although he was generally played on the left. He made his debut for Southampton playing at left-half in a 3–0 victory at New Brompton on 12 September 1903. Described as "fast, tricky, clever and a glutton for work", Spence made a few appearances in the various forward positions over the next six months, but it was not until March 1904 that he became established in the side when he took over from Samuel Meston
Samuel Meston
Samuel Meston was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a half-back for Stoke and Southampton. Whilst with Southampton, he appeared in two FA Cup Finals and won six Southern League championship medals and was the only player ever to do so.-Playing career:Meston was born in Arbroath and...
at left-half for the remainder of the season. At the end of the season
Southern Football League 1903-04
The 1903–04 Southern League season saw Southampton win Division One for the second successive season. Watford finishing top of Division Two, earning automatic promotion, the first time that test matches had not been held...
, Spence helped the Saints retain the Southern League championship, before moving on to Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
.
Hull City were founded in June 1904 and were restricted to friendly matches, although they did enter the FA Cup in the preliminary round, where they were eliminated by Stockton
Stockton F.C.
Stockton F.C. was an English football club based in Stockton-on-Tees. The club were known as 'The Ancients' because of their long-standing presence in the town. Their traditional colours were red and black quartered shirts with white shorts.-History:...
after a replay, with Spence scoring twice, thus becoming Hull's "top-scorer" in competitive matches in the 1904–05 season. In 1905, Hull City were admitted to the expanded Football League Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
. Spence had the "honour" of scoring Hull's first goal in the Football League, in a 4–1 victory over Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
on 2 September 1905. Hull finished their first league season in fifth place, with Spence having scored twice from 19 appearances, generally as an inside-forward.
At the end of the season, Spence returned to Scotland and played out his career with Clyde
Clyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
and Cowdenbeath
Cowdenbeath F.C.
Cowdenbeath Football Club are a professional Scottish football team based in the town of Cowdenbeath, Fife. They currently play in the Second Division of the Scottish Football League. The club plays its home games at Central Park in the centre of the town which has the unusual feature of a motor...
.
Honours
SouthamptonSouthampton 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...
- Southern LeagueSouthern Football LeagueThe 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...
champions: 1903–04Southern Football League 1903-04The 1903–04 Southern League season saw Southampton win Division One for the second successive season. Watford finishing top of Division Two, earning automatic promotion, the first time that test matches had not been held...