Liam George

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Liam George
Personal information
Full name	Liam George
Date of birth	February 2, 1979
Place of birth	Luton, England
Height	5'10" / 1.79 m
Nickname	Little Gullit
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current club	Eastleigh F.C.
Youth clubs
	Luton Town
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1997-2002 2002 2002 2002 2002-03 2003 2003 2003 2003-04 2004 2005-06 2006	Luton Town Clydebank Stevenage Borough Bury Boston United St. Patricks York City Grays Athletic Dunstable Town MK Dons Atlanta Silverbacks Chesham United	102 (23) 2 (0) 4 (0) 8 (1) 3 (0) 4 (1) 21 (3) 6 (4)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11:54, 12 December 2006 (UTC). * Appearances (Goals)

Liam George (born 2 February 1979) is an Irish footballer, who represented Ireland in the Under 18 European Youth Championship, and who now plays in the USL in America. Liam's family originates from Saint Lucia (father, Victor) and Church Street, Dublin (mother, Anne).

[edit] Early career

Liam started his career in football progressing through the youth ranks at Luton Town[1] and represented his country, the Republic of Ireland at all youth levels. His career took him from an Under 18 European Youth Championship with Ireland to the USL in America within 8 years.

[edit] Club career

Having broke into the Irish youth teams with the likes of Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne and Stephen McPhail, George progressed through the Irish youth teams and the Luton Town reserve team. In July 1998 he represented the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Under 18 Youth Championships, reaching the final against Germany. The game went to penalties and, with the score at 3-3, George slotted home the winner to make it 4-3[2].

George's debut came in the 1997-98 season with a 3-0 defeat to Bristol City[3], however playing time was limited throughout the season's duration. The following season showed more promise and George started as a first team regular, although a broken leg prevented George playing past the summer months. The 1999-2000 season was a greater success for George, bagging 16 goals. Luton were relegated the following year with George managing 7 league goals, 2 cup goals. Luton were in the Third Division (now Football League Two) for the first time in over 30 years and George stayed at the club on a weekly contract basis. However Luton manager Joe Kinnear purchased a number of players and George struggled to hold down a starting position.

Unsuccessful trials at Leyton Orient, Sheffield United and Gillingham led George to Stevenage Borough. However after 3 months at the Conference club with his ex-Luton assistant manager, Wayne Turner, George moved onto Bury on a 3 month contract at the start of the following season 2002-2003. Before the end of the 2002-2003 season George had turned out for Boston United and St. Patricks Athletic. York City signed George after a successful trial ready for the 2003-2004 season, however another injury meant George spent more time on the treatment table and York were relegated that year. York manager, Chris Brass did not offer Liam a new contract and therefore another move was on the cards, this time to Grays Athletic. [4] Before signing for USL First Division side the Atlanta Silverbacks in March 2006, Liam kitted out for Dunstable Town and AFC Wimbledon.

A far cry from the international success at Under 18 level, Liam found himself thousands of miles from home playing in the ASL, a minor US soccer league compared to the Major Soccer League. Liam scored 3 goals in 22 games for the Silverbacks before returning to England with Chesham United in November 2006. Signing non-contract terms to be able to play competitive football. January 2007 seen him move to Eastleigh F.C. again on non-contract terms. In 9 years Liam had gone from an Irish youth prospect to the Conference South. His Under 18 teammate, Robbie Keane has gone onto top score for the Republic of Ireland and play for teams at Inter Milan, Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur.

[edit] Injuries

In August 1998 Liam suffered a fracture dislocation of his left ankle against a challenge from Wigan Athletic defender Scott Green. A failed medical in November 2001 saw a move to Colchester fall through of which he was never given a reason behind the failure. During 2003-2004 season Liam’s season was cut short through Shin splints of his right calf. Liam again was injured in the 2004-2005 season with patella tendonitis which seen him sit on the sidelines for 18 months. Injuries could have played a part in cutting Liam’s possibilities of a promising football career.

Atlanta Silverbacks - Current Squad
0 Kalnasy | 1 Quinero | 2 Buete | 3 Afful | 4 Adilson | 5 Hayes | 6 Bobo | 8 George | 10 Pineda Chacón | 11 Rios | 12 McManus | 14 Jarun | 15 Ukah | 16 Josh Smith | 17 O'Toole | 18 Hughes | 19 Rojas | 23 Millwood | 00 De la Torre | new Antoniuk | new Maurício Salles | Manager: Jason Smith