George Wilcock
Encyclopedia
George Harrie Wilcock was a Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs either side of the First World War.
, Scotland and from school he joined the Royal Field Artillery
. 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.
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. He soon "proved to be a very able custodian" 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.
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.
Football career
Wilcock was born in EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland and from school he joined the Royal Field Artillery
Royal Field Artillery
The Royal Field Artillery of the British Army provided artillery support for the British Army. It came into being when the Royal Artillery was divided on 1 July 1899, it was reamalgamated back into the Royal Artillery in 1924....
. He left the Army in 1909 to start his footballing career, initially with Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
before joining 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...
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 January 1910.
Wilcock remained with Barnsley for two years, but made only four first-team appearances, as cover for regular goalkeeper, Jack Cooper
Jack Cooper (association footballer)
Jack Cooper was a footballer who played for Barnsley and Newport County. He was a goalkeeper.-Club career:Jack Cooper was a member of the Barnsley side who won the FA Cup in 1912 beating West Bromwich Albion in the replay after the first match ended goalless...
. In 1912, he moved to Goole Town of the Midland League
Midland Football League
There have been at least two different football competitions in England which used the name Midland Football League.One existed until 1982 before merging with the Yorkshire League to form the Northern Counties League....
for a season, followed by a move to the south coast
Southern England
Southern England, the South and the South of England are imprecise terms used to refer to the southern counties of England bordering the English Midlands. It has a number of different interpretations of its geographic extents. The South is considered by many to be a cultural region with a distinct...
to join Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
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...
in 1913.
Following the outbreak of 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...
, Wilcock rejoined his original military unit, the Royal Field Artillery
Royal Field Artillery
The Royal Field Artillery of the British Army provided artillery support for the British Army. It came into being when the Royal Artillery was divided on 1 July 1899, it was reamalgamated back into the Royal Artillery in 1924....
and was seriously injured at the Battle of Loos
Battle of Loos
The Battle of Loos was one of the major British offensives mounted on the Western Front in 1915 during World War I. It marked the first time the British used poison gas during the war, and is also famous for the fact that it witnessed the first large-scale use of 'new' or Kitchener's Army...
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
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
which was being watched by directors of Southampton Football Club.
He was signed by Southampton in readiness for the resumption of professional football in 1919 and made his debut at Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
on 13 December 1919, replacing Arthur Wood
Arthur Wood (footballer born 1894)
Arthur Wood was an English goalkeeper who played for Southampton and Clapton Orient. He was the son of the England international forward, Harry Wood.-Career:...
, retaining his place in goal for the remainder of the season. He soon "proved to be a very able custodian" 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
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...
of the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
in May 1920.
At Deepdale
Deepdale
Deepdale is a stadium in the Deepdale area of Preston, England, the home of Preston North End F.C. and, up to 2010, England's National Football Museum. Preston North End are one of the founder members of the Football League.- History :...
, 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
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
to take up employment in the docks.