George Spruce
Encyclopedia
George Spruce was a professional footballer who played as a defender
in The Football League
for three different clubs.
and was invited for trials with Bolton Wanderers
in August 1939 while playing local football in Chester, but the outbreak of war ended his hopes of joining the club. He finally got his chance in professional football in October 1948 when he joined Wrexham
from Chester based side Heath Rangers and played regularly before moving to Football League Second Division
side Barnsley
in May 1952. His spell at Wrexham overlapped with his younger brother Phil's time at the club, for whom he played from 1950 to 1956.
Although Barnsley were relegated in George’s first season at the club, he was a regular part of the side when they topped Division Three North in 1954–55
. He remained at Oakwell for two years before joining hometown club Chester
in July 1958. At 35 he was one of Chester’s oldest debutants when he played for the club for the first time against York City
three months later. Spruce scored an own goal in the final minute in a 2–2 draw but went on to make 63 appearances for the club over the next three years.
Chester was to be Spruce’s last league club and he played for Runcorn and Prestatyn
before hanging up his boots. He was employed by the gas board and then worked as a taxicab driver.
Barnsley
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
in 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...
for three different clubs.
Playing career
Spruce was born in ChesterChester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
and was invited for trials with 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....
in August 1939 while playing local football in Chester, but the outbreak of war ended his hopes of joining the club. He finally got his chance in professional football in October 1948 when he joined Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
from Chester based side Heath Rangers and played regularly before moving to 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...
side 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...
in May 1952. His spell at Wrexham overlapped with his younger brother Phil's time at the club, for whom he played from 1950 to 1956.
Although Barnsley were relegated in George’s first season at the club, he was a regular part of the side when they topped Division Three North in 1954–55
1954-55 in English football
The 1954–1955 season was the 75th season of competitive football in England, from August 1954 to May 1955:-Overview:* Chelsea win the League Championship for the first time.* Newcastle United win the FA Cup....
. He remained at Oakwell for two years before joining hometown club Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
in July 1958. At 35 he was one of Chester’s oldest debutants when he played for the club for the first time against York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
three months later. Spruce scored an own goal in the final minute in a 2–2 draw but went on to make 63 appearances for the club over the next three years.
Chester was to be Spruce’s last league club and he played for Runcorn and Prestatyn
Prestatyn Town F.C.
Prestatyn Town Football Club is a Welsh association football club based in Prestatyn, Denbighshire.- History :Prestatyn town FC played their first-ever game on Thursday October 20th 1910 when they travelled to Rhyl Amateurs and got off to a flying start, winning 3-2 thanks to goals by Gratton,...
before hanging up his boots. He was employed by the gas board and then worked as a taxicab driver.
Honours
Wrexham- Welsh CupWelsh CupThe Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
runners-up: 1949–501949-50 in English footballThe 1949–50 season was the 70th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Portsmouth retained the First Division title by one of the narrowest margins in history ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C....
.
Barnsley
- Football League Division Three North champions: 1954–551954-55 in English footballThe 1954–1955 season was the 75th season of competitive football in England, from August 1954 to May 1955:-Overview:* Chelsea win the League Championship for the first time.* Newcastle United win the FA Cup....
(44 apps, 0 goals).