George Harrison (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 18 July 1892 | ||
| Place of birth | Church Gresley, Derbyshire, England | ||
| Date of death | 12 February 1939 (aged 46) | ||
| Playing position | Outside left | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1913–1923 | Everton | 190 | (17) |
| National team | |||
| 1921 | England | 2 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only | |||
George Harrison (18 July 1892 – 12 February 1939)[1] was an English international footballer, who played as an outside left.
Early life
George Harrison was born in the South Derbyshire mining village of Church Gresley on 18 July 1892. He married Frances Elizabeth O'Brian in the village church of St. George and St. Mary on 13 May 1913. They went on to have one son, George Harold.
Career
Born in Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, Harrison played professionally for Everton,[2] and earned two caps for England in 1921.[3]George Harrison, 1892-1939. EFC Heritage Society. </ref>[4]
Retirement and death
Following George Harrison's retirement he entered the pub trade, as may footballers did during that era. Initially, he ran the Moorbrook Inn in Preston from 1932 until 1936. He then returned to his hometown of Church Gresley to run the Rising Sun public house. The winter of 1939 saw George being treated for insomnia and influenza and he was ill for several weeks. Tragically, on 12 February 1939 George took his own life in the bathroom of the Rising Sun, possibly due to the depressive side effects of his illness.
Rediscovery of his grave
In the early part of 2015, whilst researching Victorian and Edwardian footballers from the South Derbyshire area, local man Kieran Smith located the unmarked grave of George Harrison in York Road Cemetery, Church Gresley. Then, on 12 February 2016, 77 years to the day following his death, his grave was marked by Everton FC and the EFC Heritage Society. The small ceremony was attended by a large contingent from Everton, including former player Ian Snodin and training ground priest Henry Corbett. Invited guests included the former Manchester United captain Martin Buchan.
