Liam George
Encyclopedia
Liam Brendan George is an English
-born Irish
footballer
, who represented Ireland in the Under 18 European Youth Championship, and who is currently playing for Hitchin Town
on a part-time basis, having signed for them in December 2008.
Liam's family originates from Saint Lucia
(father, Victor) and Church Street
, Dublin (mother, Anne). He grew up on Luton
's Marsh Farm
housing estate and attended Cardinal Newman Catholic High School
.
, and represented his country, the Republic of Ireland
at all youth levels. His career took him from an Under 18 European Youth Championship with Ireland to the USL
in America within eight years.
, Richard Dunne
and Stephen McPhail
, George progressed through the Irish youth teams and the Luton Town reserve team. In July 1998 he represented the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Under 18 Youth Championships, reaching the final against Germany. The game went to penalties and, with the score at 3–3, George slotted home the winner to make it 4–3.
George's debut came in the 1997–98 season with a 3–0 defeat to Bristol City, however playing time was limited throughout the season's duration. The following season showed more promise and George started as a first team regular, although a broken leg prevented George playing past the summer months. The 1999–2000 season was a greater success for George, bagging 16 goals. Luton were relegated the following year with George managing seven league goals, two cup goals. Luton were in the Third Division (now Football League Two
) for the first time in over 30 years and George stayed at the club on a weekly contract basis. However Luton manager Joe Kinnear
purchased a number of players and George struggled to hold down a starting position.
Unsuccessful trials at Leyton Orient
, Sheffield United
and Gillingham
led George to Stevenage Borough. However after three months at the Conference club with his ex-Luton assistant manager, Wayne Turner, George moved onto Bury
on a three-month contract at the start of the following season 2002–03. Before the end of the 2002–03 season George had turned out for Boston United
and St. Patricks Athletic. York City
signed George after a successful trial ready for the 2003–04 season, however another injury meant George spent more time on the treatment table and York were relegated that year. York manager, Chris Brass
did not offer him a new contract and therefore another move was on the cards, this time to Grays Athleic
. Before signing for USL First Division
side the Atlanta Silverbacks
in March 2006, George kitted out for Dunstable Town
and AFC Wimbledon
.
A far cry from the international success at under-18 level, Liam found himself thousands of miles from home playing in the USL, the second division of US soccer, compared to the Major Soccer League
. George scored three goals in 22 games for the Silverbacks before returning to England with Chesham United
in November 2006. Signing non-contract terms to be able to play competitive football. January 2007 seen him move to Eastleigh
again on non-contract terms. This was followed by spells with Hyde United and FC United of Manchester, whom he left in October 2007. George went on to sign for Barton Rovers
before he signed for Darran Hay's Hitchin Town in December 2008.
defender Scott Green
. A failed medical in November 2001 saw a move to Colchester United
fall through of which he was never given a reason behind the failure. During 2003-2004 season Liam’s season was cut short through shin splints of his right calf. He was again injured in the 2004-2005 season with patella tendinitis which seen him sit on the sidelines for 18 months.
He studied at the University of Salford
for a degree in Physiotherapy which he completed in the summer of 2011.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
-born Irish
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
footballer
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...
, who represented Ireland in the Under 18 European Youth Championship, and who is currently playing for Hitchin Town
Hitchin Town F.C.
Hitchin Town Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. They will compete in the Southern Football League's Premier Division for the 2011–12 season...
on a part-time basis, having signed for them in December 2008.
Liam's family originates from Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia is an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located north/northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. It covers a land area of 620 km2 and has an...
(father, Victor) and Church Street
Church Street
-Streets:* Church Street, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom* Church Street , New York City, New York, United States* Church Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia* Church Street , England, United Kingdom...
, Dublin (mother, Anne). He grew up on Luton
Luton
Luton is a large town and unitary authority of Bedfordshire, England, 30 miles north of London. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 250,000....
's Marsh Farm
Marsh farm
Marsh Farm is a large housing estate in Luton, Bedfordshire near to Leagrave and Limbury, mainly of council and social housing.The estate was built in the late 1960s, with a mixture of flats and houses as part of the post-war expansion of Luton. The estates at Farley Hill, Hockwell Ring and...
housing estate and attended Cardinal Newman Catholic High School
Cardinal Newman Catholic High School (Luton)
Cardinal Newman Catholic High School, also referred to as Newman or CNS is a Roman Catholic Voluntary aided secondary school and sixth form catering for pupils aged between 11 and 18, located in the Warden Hills area of Luton, England. Opened in September 1969, the current Headteacher is Mrs Jane...
.
Early career
Liam started his career in football progressing through the youth ranks at Luton TownLuton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
, and represented his country, the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
at all youth levels. His career took him from an Under 18 European Youth Championship with Ireland to the USL
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
in America within eight years.
Club career
Having broken into the Irish youth teams with the likes of Robbie KeaneRobbie Keane
Robert David "Robbie" Keane is an Irish association football player who plays as a striker for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and captains the Irish national football team....
, Richard Dunne
Richard Dunne
Richard Patrick Dunne is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Aston Villa and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he was a member of the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad and helped his team qualify for UEFA Euro 2012.Dunne began his professional career at Everton...
and Stephen McPhail
Stephen McPhail
Stephen John Paul McPhail is an Irish footballer who plays for Cardiff City. He has won 10 caps for his country, the Republic of Ireland, and scored one goal...
, George progressed through the Irish youth teams and the Luton Town reserve team. In July 1998 he represented the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Under 18 Youth Championships, reaching the final against Germany. The game went to penalties and, with the score at 3–3, George slotted home the winner to make it 4–3.
George's debut came in the 1997–98 season with a 3–0 defeat to Bristol City, however playing time was limited throughout the season's duration. The following season showed more promise and George started as a first team regular, although a broken leg prevented George playing past the summer months. The 1999–2000 season was a greater success for George, bagging 16 goals. Luton were relegated the following year with George managing seven league goals, two cup goals. Luton were in the Third Division (now Football League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
) for the first time in over 30 years and George stayed at the club on a weekly contract basis. However Luton manager Joe Kinnear
Joe Kinnear
Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kinnear is an Irish football manager and former player. He was most recently the manager of Newcastle United....
purchased a number of players and George struggled to hold down a starting position.
Unsuccessful trials at Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
, Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
and Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
led George to Stevenage Borough. However after three months at the Conference club with his ex-Luton assistant manager, Wayne Turner, George moved onto Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
on a three-month contract at the start of the following season 2002–03. Before the end of the 2002–03 season George had turned out for Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
and St. Patricks Athletic. 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...
signed George after a successful trial ready for the 2003–04 season, however another injury meant George spent more time on the treatment table and York were relegated that year. York manager, Chris Brass
Chris Brass
Christopher Paul "Chris" Brass is an English former footballer and manager. He is currently assistant manager at Scunthorpe United.-Career:...
did not offer him a new contract and therefore another move was on the cards, this time to Grays Athleic
Grays Athletic F.C.
Grays Athletic Football Club is an English football club currently based in Corringham, Essex after leaving the New Recreation Ground in Grays at the end of the 2009–10 season...
. Before signing for USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
side the Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership...
in March 2006, George kitted out for Dunstable Town
Dunstable Town F.C.
Dunstable Town have always been associated with Royal Blue and White, in a number of combinations. Unlike some of the larger clubs who hold an identity with one particular pattern, Dunstable have had stripes, hoops, halves, quarters, pin stripe and plain shirts...
and AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....
.
A far cry from the international success at under-18 level, Liam found himself thousands of miles from home playing in the USL, the second division of US soccer, compared to the Major Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
. George scored three goals in 22 games for the Silverbacks before returning to England with Chesham United
Chesham United F.C.
Chesham United is an English football club based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, currently playing in the Southern League. They are nicknamed "The Generals" because they were once the football team of the General Baptist Church in Chesham. Chesham Generals merged with Chesham Town to form United...
in November 2006. Signing non-contract terms to be able to play competitive football. January 2007 seen him move to Eastleigh
Eastleigh F.C.
Eastleigh Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Silverlake Stadium.-History:...
again on non-contract terms. This was followed by spells with Hyde United and FC United of Manchester, whom he left in October 2007. George went on to sign for Barton Rovers
Barton Rovers F.C.
Barton Rovers F.C. are a semi-professional association football club located in the village of Barton-le-Clay, near Luton in Bedfordshire, England. They currently play in the Southern Football League Division One Central and play their home games at Sharpenhoe Road.The club is affiliated to the...
before he signed for Darran Hay's Hitchin Town in December 2008.
Injuries
In August 1998 George suffered a fracture dislocation of his left ankle against a challenge from Wigan AthleticWigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
defender Scott Green
Scott Green (footballer)
Scott Paul Green is a retired English football defender. He is currently running the Yeovil Town Centre of Excellence....
. A failed medical in November 2001 saw a move to Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
fall through of which he was never given a reason behind the failure. During 2003-2004 season Liam’s season was cut short through shin splints of his right calf. He was again injured in the 2004-2005 season with patella tendinitis which seen him sit on the sidelines for 18 months.
He studied at the University of Salford
University of Salford
The University of Salford is a campus university based in Salford, Greater Manchester, England with approximately 20,000 registered students. The main campus is about west of Manchester city centre, on the A6, opposite the former home of the physicist, James Prescott Joule and the Working Class...
for a degree in Physiotherapy which he completed in the summer of 2011.