Milburn George Image 3 Leeds United 1933

Description

Ashington, Northumberland born right back George Milburn began his football career with Ashington Colliery Welfare in 1927 before joining First Division Leeds United in March 1928, making his Football League debut at Portsmouth in May 1930. Despite playing half the games during their 1930-31 relegation season, he returned to a mainly auxiliary role in 1931-32 as Leeds were promoted back to the top flight as Second Division runners up, but became an ever present the next season. He often formed a full back pairing with his older brother Jack. However he lost his place in 1934 with the emergence of Bert Sproston and remained as a fringe figure at Elland Road until May 1937, when he joined Second Division Chesterfield for £1,500. He scored once in 161 appearances for Leeds United.

At Chesterfield he was initially almost an ever present for the two seasons before the Second World War, however his career was severely interrupted by the War, when he played for Leeds United again as a wartime guest, although after the War he returned to Saltergate and after the War he played with his younger brother Stan for Chesterfield, Stan being 16 years his junior. become one of the few players to score a hat-trick of penalties in League football. He did it against Sheffield Wednesday on 7th June 1947, and that hat-trick came in the 56th, 64th and 77th minutes and saw The Spireites come from behind to beat The Owls 4-2. He continued to play for them until his retirement in 1948, having scored 17 goals in 117 appearances. On retirement he became Chesterfield’s Assistant Manager, a position he held until he retired in 1961.

Of course, he was a member of one of the most famous footballing families in history. He was the brother of Jack and Jim Milburn, both of whom also played for Leeds United, and of Stan Milburn, who played for Chesterfield, Leicester City and Rochdale. He was the first cousin of Newcastle legend “Wor Jackie” Milburn, and the uncle of England 1966 legends Bobby & Jack Charlton.

NB in the photograph he stands to the right of Alec Stacey, in front of him is Tom Cochrane and in front of Stacey is Harry Duggan.