George Arthur Woodford (22 April 1915 – 21 April 1966) was an English professional footballer who played as a full back for Norwich City and Southampton in the 1930s.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | George Arthur Woodford | ||
| Date of birth | 22 April 1915 | ||
| Place of birth | Lymington, England | ||
| Date of death | 21 April 1966 (aged 50) | ||
| Place of death | Southampton, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Full back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Lymington | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1934–1937 | Norwich City | 10 | (0) |
| 1937–1939 | Southampton | 7 | (0) |
| 1939 | Lymington | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Football career
editWoodford was born at Lymington,[1] but started his professional career at Norwich City.[2] He had been spotted by Norwich City's scout in Hampshire, the former Southampton player, Jim Angell.[3] He joined the Canaries as an amateur in October 1934, signing a professional contract in September 1935. He made his first-team debut on 4 April 1936 in a Second Division draw with Bradford City.[4] After making ten league appearances for Norwich, Woodford followed manager Tom Parker to Second Division rivals Southampton in June 1937.[2]
At The Dell, Woodford was used as cover for Charles Sillett and Arthur Roberts. He made his debut for the Saints at left back in a 3–1 victory against his former club, Norwich City, on New Year's Day 1938, when Roberts was injured.[5] His next match was a fortnight later in a 3–0 defeat at Aston Villa, following which Roberts returned to the side. Woodford was "able to use both feet with equal facility" whose "outstanding traits (were) his industry and mobility".[2]
Woodford returned to the side for four matches in April, but only played once more in the following season, after which he was released, joining his home-town club, Lymington.[2]
References
edit- ^ Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 287. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
- ^ a b c d Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (1992). The Alphabet of the Saints. ACL & Polar Publishing. pp. 373–374. ISBN 0-9514862-3-3.
- ^ Bull, David (28 November 2012). "Where Angell Dared". The Southampton Matchday Programme: Southampton Vs Norwich City.
- ^ "Debutants 1936". Sing Up The River End!. canaryseventyninety. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- ^ Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan (1987). Saints – A complete record. Breedon Books. p. 99. ISBN 0-907969-22-4.