George Yardley (footballer) explained

George Yardley
Fullname:George McArthur Yardley
Birth Date:1941 10, df=y
Birth Place:Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland
Death Date:[1]
Death Place:Dalgety Bay, Fife, Scotland
Position:Goalkeeper, centre forward
Youthclubs1:Abbotshall Boy's Brigade
Youthclubs2:Novar Star Youth
Youthclubs3:Frances Colliery Juniors
Years1:1959–1964
Clubs1:East Fife
Caps1:62
Goals1:17
Years2:1964
Clubs2:Forfar Athletic
Caps2:4
Goals2:0
Years3:1965
Clubs3:St. George-Budapest
Years4:1966
Clubs4:Luton Town
Caps4:1
Goals4:0
Years5:1966–1969
Clubs5:Tranmere Rovers
Caps5:76
Goals5:49
Years6:1969
Clubs6:St. George-Budapest
Years7:1969–1970
Clubs7:Tranmere Rovers
Caps7:46
Goals7:19
Clubs8:St. George-Budapest
Years9:1973–1974
Clubs9:Altrincham

George McArthur Yardley (8 October 1942 – 14 November 2018) was a Scottish footballer. Yardley began his career as a goalkeeper before becoming a centre forward, most notably for Tranmere Rovers.

Playing career

Born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Yardley played his first football as a goalkeeper as an eight-year-old playing for Dunnikier Primary School. However, on moving to Temple Hall Secondary School he was forced to play as a forward because another goalkeeper was already playing.[2] At Frances Colliery Juniors he played mostly as a forward, occasionally playing in goal.

In 1959 he signed an amateur contract with East Fife as a goalkeeper. After sustaining a hand injury in 1960 Yardley switched to primarily playing as a forward though he did play a number of matches in goal. In 1964 Yardley trialled with Forfar Athletic, playing four matches. He then played out the second half of the 1963/1964 season with Montrose.

Yardley played for Australian club St. George-Budapest in three separate stints. He played one season at St. George during the 1965 Australian season after emigrating to Australia in August 1964.[3] [4]

On returning from Australia in October 1966, Yardley trialled for a month with English Fourth Division team Luton Town, playing one match.[5] In November 1966 he moved to Tranmere Rovers. In four seasons between 1966 and 1970 he played 123 matches, scoring 68 goals.[6] He was leading goal scorer for Rovers on four separate occasions.[7]

His second stint in Australia was in 1969 before returning to Tranmere Rovers. At the completion of his career at Tranmere he moved again to Australia. Yardley had a short stint with Altrincham in the 1973–74 season.[8]

International career

Yardley played one match on 5 March 1960 for Scotland Amateurs against Wales at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock, which ended 3-3.[9]

Personal life

After his football career, Yardley became a design draughtsman on the Wirral. He died on 14 November 2018 in a care home at Dalgety Bay, Fife.[1]

Notes and References

  1. https://funeral-notices.co.uk/north%20west/death-notices/notice/yardley/4641705 "Announcing the passing of George Yardley", Chester Chronicle
  2. Web site: Voices from the past – George Yardley. merseyworld.com. 1 September 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20110605000424/http://www.merseyworld.com/rearguard/yardley.html. 5 June 2011. dead.
  3. Web site: Australian Player Database – Y. ozfootball.net. 1 September 2009.
  4. http://allfootballers.com www.since1888.co.uk
  5. Web site: LUTON TOWN : 1946/47 – 2007/08. neilbrown.newcastlefans.com. 2 September 2009.
  6. News: On scent of Yardley run. Hilton. Nick. 21 August 2003. Liverpool Echo. 2 September 2009.
  7. Web site: Some of Tranmere Rovers Top Scorers. tranmere-rovers.co.uk. 2 September 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090107044310/http://www.tranmere-rovers.co.uk/tranmere-scorers.html. 7 January 2009. dead.
  8. Web site: A to Z of Altrincham Football Club. Rowley. Terry. Altrincham F.C.. 2 September 2009.
  9. Web site: Luton Links. Altrincham F.C.. 2 September 2009.