Stacey George Image 3 Manchester United 1912

Description

Thorpe Hesley, near Rotherham, Yorkshire born left back George Stacey started his football career with local club Thorpe Hesley in 1902, before signing for Sheffield Wednesday in May 1903, spending 1903-04 at Hillsborough without making a first team appearance. In 1904 he returned to non league football with Thornhill United before signing for Second Division Barnsley in August 1905, making his Football League debut at Hull City that September. After two impressive seasons for Barnsley, during which he scored 8 goals in 72 appearances, he was sold to First Division Manchester United for a fee of £200 in April 1907.

Stacey made his Manchester United debut on 12th October 1907, playing at left back in a 6-1 away win at Newcastle United. That season, he made 18 League appearances and scored once as United won the League Championship by nine points over Aston Villa – the first major trophy in Manchester United’s history. The following year, Stacey played more regularly at right back, playing in 39 matches, and he played as Manchester United won the FA Cup beating Bristol City 1-0 at The Crystal Palace. In 1910-11, he missed only two matches as United won the League Championship again.

As a result of his consistency with Manchester United, Stacey went for a trial with the English national team in 1912. However, he wasn’t selected at a time when Bob Crompton and Jesse Pennington dominated the England full back positions.

Stacey remained with Manchester United until the outbreak of the First World War forced the temporary cancellation of competitive football in England, scoring 9 goals in 270 appearances for The Red Devils. During the War, Stacey made guest appearances for his hometown club, Rotherham County. He retired from football in May 1919 at the end of the 1918-19 (final) War League season.