Noel George
Encyclopedia
Frank Noel George was a footballer in the 1910s and 1920s who played as a goalkeeper.
, he started playing as a forward with Hednesford Town
before joining the Royal Army Service Corps
in World War I
. It was during his days in the army that he switched to the goalkeeper position.
(Wolves) in the summer of 1919, making his senior debut in February 1921 in an FA Cup
replay against Derby County
. Wolves were to go on and make the final of the competition that season
, and George played in the final, which was lost to Tottenham Hotspur.
He established himself as the Wolves keeper, and was an ever present in the 1921-22, 1923-24 and 1924-25 seasons, and in all he made 242 senior competitive appearances for Wolves, 222 of which were in The Football League
. He kept a total of 73 clean sheets for Wolves.
, was convinced that his death was a result of ill-fitting dentures and thus from then on he ensured any of his players with dentures made regular visits to the dentist.
Early career and Army
Born in LichfieldLichfield
Lichfield is a cathedral city, civil parish and district in Staffordshire, England. One of eight civil parishes with city status in England, Lichfield is situated roughly north of Birmingham...
, he started playing as a forward with Hednesford Town
Hednesford Town F.C.
Hednesford Town Football Club are an association football team based in Hednesford, Staffordshire, England. They play at Keys Park.-History:...
before joining the Royal Army Service Corps
Royal Army Service Corps
The Royal Army Service Corps was a corps of the British Army. It was responsible for land, coastal and lake transport; air despatch; supply of food, water, fuel, and general domestic stores such as clothing, furniture and stationery ; administration of...
in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. It was during his days in the army that he switched to the goalkeeper position.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
George was signed by Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
(Wolves) in the summer of 1919, making his senior debut in February 1921 in an 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...
replay against 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...
. Wolves were to go on and make the final of the competition that season
1921 FA Cup Final
The 1921 FA Cup Final was contested by Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge. Spurs won by a single goal, scored by Jimmy Dimmock, eight minutes into the second half...
, and George played in the final, which was lost to Tottenham Hotspur.
He established himself as the Wolves keeper, and was an ever present in the 1921-22, 1923-24 and 1924-25 seasons, and in all he made 242 senior competitive appearances for Wolves, 222 of which were 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...
. He kept a total of 73 clean sheets for Wolves.
Illness and death
George started to miss a number of games through injury in the 1925/26 and 1926/27 seasons and by November 1927 he was in the early stages of a terminal illness, and he retired in 1928. It was diagnosed as a disease of the gums and he died in 1929. His manager at Wolves, Frank BuckleyFrank Buckley (footballer)
Franklin Charles Buckley was an English football player and, later, manager. He is the brother of Chris Buckley who played for Aston Villa.-Early life:...
, was convinced that his death was a result of ill-fitting dentures and thus from then on he ensured any of his players with dentures made regular visits to the dentist.
Honours
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
- FA CupFA CupThe 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...
finalists: 19211921 FA Cup FinalThe 1921 FA Cup Final was contested by Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge. Spurs won by a single goal, scored by Jimmy Dimmock, eight minutes into the second half... - Football League Third Division NorthFootball League Third Division NorthThe Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
champions: 1923–24