George Wilcock

George Harrie Wilcock (24 January 1890 – 1962) was a Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs either side of the First World War.

George Wilcock
Personal information
Full name George Harrie Wilcock
Date of birth (1890-01-24)24 January 1890
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Date of death 1962 (aged 71–72)
Place of death Sheffield,[1] England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1909–1910 Bradford Park Avenue
1910–1912 Barnsley 4 (0)
1912–1913 Goole Town
1913–1919 Brighton & Hove Albion 11 (0)
1919–1920 Southampton 20 (0)
1920–1921 Preston North End 7 (0)
1921–19?? Caerphilly
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Football career

Wilcock was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and from school he joined the Royal Field Artillery.[2] He left the Army in 1909 to start his footballing career, initially with Bradford Park Avenue before joining Barnsley of the Football League Second Division in January 1910.

Wilcock remained with Barnsley for two years, but made only four first-team appearances, as cover for regular goalkeeper, Jack Cooper. In 1912, he moved to Goole Town of the Midland League for a season, followed by a move to the south coast to join Brighton & Hove Albion of the Southern League in 1913.

Following the outbreak of World War I, Wilcock rejoined his original military unit, the Royal Field Artillery and was seriously injured at the Battle of Loos in September 1915. As a result of his injuries, he was invalided back to England, becoming a trainer with the Army. Once he returned to fitness, he represented the Army at football and was playing in a match against the Royal Navy at Plymouth which was being watched by directors of Southampton Football Club.[2]

He was signed by Southampton in readiness for the resumption of professional football in 1919 and made his debut at Bristol Rovers on 13 December 1919, replacing Arthur Wood, retaining his place in goal for the remainder of the season.[3] He soon "proved to be a very able custodian"[2] and the "Saints" were approached by several of the country's top teams — although Southampton were reluctant to release him, Wilcock was sold to Preston North End of the First Division in May 1920.[2]

At Deepdale, Wilcock was used as cover for regular 'keeper, Arthur Causer, and made only seven appearances before dropping out of professional football.

After a spell with Caerphilly, he returned to Southampton to take up employment in the docks.

Wilcock died in Sheffield in 1962.[1]

References
  1. Carder, Tim; Harris, Roger (1997). Albion A–Z: A Who's Who of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Hove: Goldstone Books. p. 259. ISBN 0-9521337-1-7.
  2. Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (1992). The Alphabet of the Saints. ACL & Polar Publishing. p. 364. ISBN 0-9514862-3-3.
  3. Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan (1987). Saints – A complete record. Breedon Books. pp. 62–63. ISBN 0-907969-22-4.
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