Baddeley George Image 1 West Bromwich Albion 1912

Description

Fegg Hayes, Stoke on Trent born wing half George Baddeley began his football career with Burslem Swifts and played for Pitshill in 1897 and Biddulph in 1899 before joining hometown First Division club Stoke in May 1900, making his Football League debut against Bury in September 1901. Although he made only 6 more appearances in his debut season he was a regular from the start of the next season missing only 4 games in 1902-03 and then being ever present for two further seasons, forming a formidable half back line with Tom Holford and James Bradley. When the club were relegated from the First Division in 1907 he stayed a further season, however as they were mired in financial difficulties which forced their withdrawal from the Football League for several seasons, he was sold to West Bromwich Albion for £250 after 19 goals in 225 appearances for The Potters.

In his first season at The Hawthorns, Albion finished third, just missing out on promotion, but two seasons later Baddeley was a mainstay of the side that won the Second Division Championship. He then played 8 cup ties as Albion reached the 1912 FA Cup Final, where they were beaten by Barnsley in a replay at Bramall Lane. Badly played his last match for The Baggies against Sheffield Wednesday in April 1914 aged 39, and is still the oldest player ever to appear in a senior game for West Bromwich. He retired at the end of the season after scoring twice in 157 appearances for The Baggies.

His brothers, Amos, Tom, and Sam were all professional footballers, Tom most notably keeping goal for Burslem Port Vale, Wolverhampton Wanderers for over a decade, and more briefly for Bradford Park Avenue and Stoke, winning 5 England caps while at Wolves. Amos played for Stoke, Blackpool and Walsall, and Sam for Burslem Port Vale and Stoke.