Charlie George

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Lore & Background

Born in Islington, London, George attended Grafton, Holloway Road and Hugh Myddleton Schools. He supported Arsenal as a boy and played for Islington Schoolboys before joining Arsenal in May 1966. He turned professional in 1968 and made his first-team debut on 9 August 1969 against Everton. George broke his ankle at the start of the 1970–71 season in a collision with Everton goalkeeper Gordon West. After being out for five months, he returned to play a significant part in Arsenal's run-in to the 1970–71 Division One title. The highlight of his season came in the FA Cup final against Liverpool; with the score at 1–1 in extra time, in the 111th minute George latched onto John Radford's square ball and scored a spectacular winner from 20 yards. He celebrated by lying flat on his back with arms aloft. George was prolific in Arsenal's FA Cup run in the 1971–72 season, scoring the equalising goal in the semi-final against Stoke City. In the Cup Final, Arsenal lost to Leeds United. The latter stages of his career with Arsenal were hampered by injuries and a rebellious streak; during the 1971–72 season he was disciplined twice, first after headbutting Liverpool's Kevin Keegan, and then for flicking a V-sign at Derby County's fans. He moved to Derby County in July 1975 for £100,000. At Derby, he memorably scored a hat-trick against Real Madrid in a European Cup first leg of October 1975. He later scored a hat-trick for Derby against Finn Harps in a UEFA Cup tie in September 1976. George, whose exploits with the Rams earned him the chant 'Charlie, Charlie, the King of Derby', remains a legendary figure among many Derby County fans. After Derby, he played for Minnesota Kicks, where he scored what was an NASL record for the fastest playoff goal in a 9–2 thumping of the New York Cosmos. He then returned to England with Southampton in December 1978. He had a short period on loan to Nottingham Forest in January 1980, where he played four games, including the final of the 1979 UEFA Super Cup against FC Barcelona, scoring the only goal in the home leg as Forest won 2–1 on aggregate. In April 1980, George lost a finger in a lawnmower accident. After retiring from football, he moved to New Milton, Hampshire to run a pub. He later had joint-ownership for some years in a garage business. George is now employed by Arsenal in roles within corporate hospitality at the club.

In Their Own Story

Following his departure from Arsenal, George joined Derby County in July 1975. He immediately made an impact, scoring a hat-trick against Real Madrid in the first leg of the European Cup in October 1975, though Derby lost the tie 6–5 on aggregate. In September 1976, he scored another hat-trick for Derby against Finn Harps in a UEFA Cup tie, contributing to a record-breaking 12 goals scored by a British club in a single European match. His time at Derby was so beloved that fans chanted "Charlie, Charlie, the King of Derby." In June and July 1977, he had a loan spell at St George Budapest in Australia's first National Soccer League edition before moving to the North American Soccer League with Minnesota Kicks. There, he scored an NASL record for the fastest playoff goal during a 9–2 victory over the New York Cosmos. Returning to England in December 1978 with Southampton, his career took another turn when he joined Nottingham Forest on loan in January 1980. During this brief spell, he played four games and scored the only goal in the home leg of the 1979 UEFA Super Cup final against FC Barcelona, helping Forest win 2–1 on aggregate.

Reader's Guide

Charlie George is best known for scoring the winning goal in the 1971 FA Cup Final for Arsenal, completing the club's first Double. He also scored a hat-trick against Real Madrid for Derby County in the European Cup. He was capped once for England, playing for 60 minutes against the Republic of Ireland on 8 September 1976, out of position on the left wing, but fell out with coach Don Revie after being substituted and was never picked again.

Did You Know?

• George attended Grafton, Holloway Road and Hugh Myddleton Schools before joining Arsenal in May 1966.
• He scored a hat-trick against Real Madrid in a European Cup first leg in October 1975 while playing for Derby County.
• George lost a finger in a lawnmower accident in April 1980.
• He was mentioned in songs titled 'The Charlie George Calypso' and 'I Wish I Could Play Like Charlie George' by Steven North and the Flat Back Four.