George Hardwick

George Francis Moutry Hardwick (2 February 1920 – 19 April 2004) was an English footballer, manager and coach. During his time as an active player, he was a left-sided defender for Middlesbrough. He was also a member of the England national football team, playing in 13 international matches and serving as the team's first post-World War II captain.

George Hardwick

Hardwick in 1956
Personal information
Full name	George Francis Moutry Hardwick[1]
Date of birth	(1920-02-02)2 February 1920[1]
Place of birth	Saltburn, England[1]
Date of death	19 April 2004(2004-04-19) (aged 84)[1]
Place of death	Stockton-on-Tees, England[1]
Playing position(s)	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1937–1950	Middlesbrough	143	(5)
1950–1956	Oldham Athletic	190	(14)
Total		333	(19)
National team
1946–1948	England	13	(0)
Teams managed
1950–1956	Oldham Athletic
1957	Netherlands
1957–1958	PSV Eindhoven
1964–1965	Sunderland
1966–1970	Gateshead
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

In 1947, the nations of Great Britain joined together to form a football team, which Hardwick captained and led to victory (6–1) against the rest of Europe.

Statue of Hardwick which stands outside the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough

Owing to a knee injury Hardwick had to terminate his international career after 12 matches. He is held in high esteem by Middlesbrough fans, and is regarded as the greatest defender in the club's history.

After his career as a player, Hardwick served as player manager for Oldham Athletic and manager for PSV Eindhoven, and, from 1959 to 1961, the Netherlands national football team. He later managed Sunderland A.F.C. and Gateshead.

Today his legacy lives on in the form of The George Hardwick Foundation,[2] a charity dedicated to helping carers, former carers and patients. The Patron is his wife Jennifer, who cared for George during his latter years. They have three main sites at Stockton, Middlesbrough and The University Hospital of North Tees.