George Jasper Groves (19 October 1868 – 18 February 1941) was an English footballer who played as a defender, primarily for Sheffield United. He also played first-class cricket for Nottinghamshire.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | George Jasper Groves | ||
| Date of birth | 19 October 1868 | ||
| Place of birth | Nottingham, England | ||
| Date of death | 18 February 1941 (aged 72) | ||
| Place of death | Newmarket, England | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1888 | Heeley | ||
| 1888–1891 | Sheffield Club | ||
| 1889–1891 | → Sheffield United (guest) | 0 | (0) |
| 1891–1896 | Sheffield United | 12 | (0) |
| 1892–1896 | → Woolwich Arsenal (guest) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Football career
editBorn in Nottingham Groves was an amateur player who played regularly in the Sheffield area from around 1888 when he represented Heeley.[1] He moved to Sheffield Club later the same year but almost immediately began guesting for nearby Sheffield United (as allowed by FA rules regarding amateurs).[1] After appearing regularly in friendly and exhibition fixtures he was signed on a permanent basis by United in March 1891 and remained with the club until the summer of 1896.[1]
Known as 'Mr. Groves' in match reports he was initially a regular for United and was usually named captain but less than a year after joining he moved to London and from then on would only make irregular appearances for the club.[1] He would also appear as a guest for Woolwich Arsenal during the same period but with the game becoming increasingly professional he drifted away from league football.[1]
Cricket career
editGroves played in 17 first-class cricket matches for Nottinghamshire in 1899 and 1900, playing as a lower-middle-order right-handed batsman.[2]
Personal life
editGroves was a journalist, covering numerous sports in particular cricket and horse racing.[1] Groves retired to Newmarket after his playing career was over, where he continued to write for the Sporting Chronicle until his death.[3] Groves was killed when the Chronicle's offices were hit by a German bomb while he was working on 18 February 1941.[3][4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Denis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 141. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
- ^ "Player Profile: George Groves". www.cricketarchive.com. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
- ^ a b Garrett, John (2 August 2013). "Early Groves". Folklore and Fables. UTB - the Official Matchday Programme of Sheffield United FC 2013–14. Sheffield United F.C.: 14–15.
- ^ "Casualty Details: Groves, George Jasper". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 21 July 2020.