George Lillycrop Explained

George Lillycrop
Full Name:George Beanland Lillycrop[1]
Height:[2]
Birth Date:7 December 1886
Birth Place:Gosport, Hampshire, England
Position:Striker
Clubs1:South Shields Adelaide F.C.
Clubs2:North Shields Athletic F.C.
Years3:?–1913
Clubs3:Barnsley
Years4:1913–1915
Clubs4:Bolton
Caps4:52
Goals4:32
Clubs5:South Shields
Manageryears1:1938–1944
Managerclubs1:Crewe Alexandra

George Beanland Lillycrop (7 December 1886 – ?) was an English professional footballer who played as a striker for several English sides before and just after the First World War.

Playing career

Lillycrop was born in Gosport, Hampshire. He started his career playing for teams in the North Eastern League before transferring to Barnsley some time before 1910. He played in both FA Cup finals that Barnsley reached in 1910 and 1912.[3] In the first, Barnsley lost in the replay to Newcastle. In 1912, Lillycrop played a critical role in the qualifying rounds, scoring 6 goals, several in replays.[4] The 1912 Final went again to a replay but Barnsley won, defeating West Bromwich Albion by one goal in extra time. Given his key role in the qualifying rounds he does not feature much in the match day reports.[5] [6]

In July 1913, he was transferred to Bolton Wanderers for £1,300. He played a total of 52 games, scoring 32 goals. Bolton reached the FA cup semi-finals in 1915 and were defeated by Sheffield United, captained by George Utley, his fellow wing half from Barnsley. After the war, he returned to the North East playing for South Shields.[7]

Coaching career

After the end of his playing career he took up coaching. He worked for South Shields, Gateshead and Crewe Alexandra.[7]

Honours

Barnsley

Notes and References

  1. Web site: George Beanland Lillycrop Service Record . Football and the First World War . 11 October 2023.
  2. News: Football's advent. South Shields . Athletic News . Manchester . 15 August 1921 . 6.
  3. Web site: fa-cupfinals.co.uk . 26 February 2008 . fa-cupfinals.co.uk . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080720071630/http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/1910.html . 20 July 2008.
    - Web site: fa-cupfinals.co.uk . 26 February 2008 . fa-cupfinals.co.uk . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080723205758/http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/1912.html . 23 July 2008.
  4. Web site: 1911-1912-FA Cup Success. 5 March 2008. Barnsley F.C.. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080309094807/http://www.barnsleyfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0%2C%2C10309~925080%2C00.html. 9 March 2008.
  5. News: The Cup Final. Manchester Guardian. 3. 22 April 1912.
  6. News: Barnsley's Victory. Manchester Guardian. 4. 25 April 1912.
  7. Web site: Walking Down the Manny Road. 11 March 2008 . TheFootball Network.net. Mark Heys.