George Edward Laking (17 March 1913 – June 1997) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Middlesbrough. Born in Harthill (near Rotherham), England he also played for a number of clubs in non-league and guested for several other clubs during World War II.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | George Edward Laking[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 17 March 1913 | ||
| Place of birth | Harthill, South Yorkshire, England[1] | ||
| Date of death | 1 June 1997 (aged 84)[1] | ||
| Place of death | Codsall,[2] Staffordshire[1] | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Kiveton Park | |||
| Dinnington | |||
| 1934–1936 | Wolverhamption Wanderers | ||
| 1936–1947 | Middlesbrough | ||
| 1941–1942 | → Sheffield Wednesday (guest) | ||
| 1942 | → Sheffield United (guest) | ||
| 1942–1944 | → Doncaster Rovers (guest) | ||
| 1945 | → Leeds United (guest) | ||
| 1947–1949 | Shrewsbury Town | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Football career
editLaking began his football career with Kiveton Park and later Dinnington, before being signed by Wolverhampton Wanderers in May 1934.[1] Having made his Football League debut on 9 November 1935 against Grimsby Town,[1] Laking spent just over a season with the West Midlands club before being signed by Middlesbrough in October 1936.[1] Establishing himself as the club's first choice right back,[3] Laking was ever present during the 1937–38 season,[1] but lost his place the following year and eventually converted to play at left back.[1]
Laking guested for a number of Yorkshire clubs during the Second World War; Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Doncaster Rovers and Leeds United, before returning to league football with Middlesbrough following the end of the conflict.[1] Laking was now unable hold down a first team place, appearing just once more for 'Boro in 1936, and transferred to non-league Shrewsbury Town in the summer of 1947 where he remained until retiring two years later.[1]
Outside football
editLaking was also adept at cricket and played for Shropshire[1] in seasons of 1957 and 1958 while playing for the Shrewsbury-based Rolls-Royce Cricket Club.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Denis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 198. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
- ^ a b Percival, Tony (1998). Shropshire Cricketers 1844–1998. A.C.S. Publications, Nottingham. p. 35. ISBN 1-902171-17-9.
- ^ "George Laking". 11v11.com. Retrieved 19 October 2013.