Garratly George Image 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1910

Description

Walsall, Staffordshire born full back (he played both sides) George Garratly began his football career with Walsall Constitutional, playing for Bloxwich Strollers in 1905 and Chapel End United in 1906 before signing for hometown Birmingham & District League club Walsall in 1907. From there he joined Second Division club Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1909, making his Football League debut against Bradford Park Avenue that November, his first two matches playing right back before nearly a dozen at left back before the season end.

Garratly was then an ever present for Wolves in 1910-11 and 1911-12, the first half of 1910-11 on the right before a switch to left back in December 1910, he was then only employed at left back through to the summer of 1914 before playing the whole of 1914-15 at right back. Meantime he was given penalty responsibilities with regularity, scoring 5 times from the spot, and once in outfield play in a 4-1 win at Grimsby Town in February 1915.

His career was then interrupted by the First World War, the onset of which forced the suspension of peacetime football in May 1915, and he enlisted with The Labour Corps in July 1916. He continued to play football and guested for Stoke in 1918-19, making 10 appearances. After the conflict he returned to Molineux and played a final season for Wolves in their first peacetime campaign, 1919-20, when he missed only 7 matches, all played at left back. After 232 appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers he joined non league club Hednesford Town in the 1920 close season, his final recorded club before his eventual retirement.