George Parsonage

George Parsonage
Personal information
Date of birth1880
Place of birthDarwen, England
Date of death1919 (aged 3839)
Playing positionHalf back
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
Blackburn Rovers
1903–1908Brentford
1908–1909Fulham22(3)
1910–1911Oldham Athletic
Teams managed
1907–1908Brentford (player-manager)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

George Parsonage was an English professional football half back and manager who played in the Football League for Fulham. He was banned from football for life by the FA in 1909, but later returned to the game.

Club career

Blackburn Rovers

A half back, Parsonage began his career at local Division One side Blackburn Rovers.[1]

Brentford

Parsonage moved to London to sign for Southern League Division One side Brentford in 1903.[1] He became captain of the club in the 1904/05 season and was a "tower of strength" for five seasons, before departing Griffin Park in 1908.[1][2]

Fulham

Parsonage returned to league football with Division Two side Fulham in 1908. He made 24 appearances and scored three goals during the 1908/09 season.

"The Parsonage Affair"

While a Fulham player, Parsonage was the subject of transfer interest from Division Two side Chesterfield in 1909.[1] Reportedly not keen on a move to Derbyshire,[3] Parsonage submitted a request for a £50 signing-on fee, an amount £40 higher than the Football League's maximum.[1] Chesterfield reported the request to the FA, who banned Parsonage from football for life.[1] A petition signed by thousands of fans failed to see the ban overturned.[2]

Oldham Athletic

Parsonage returned to football with Division One side Oldham Athletic during the 1910/11 season.[4]

Managerial and coaching career

Parsonage had a spell as player-manager of Brentford during the 1907/08 season.[2] He later coached at Oldham Athletic.[5]

International career

Parsonage's form while at Brentford saw him called up for two England trial games.[1] He played for Amateurs versus Professionals on 16 January 1905 and for the South versus the North the following month, but was passed over in favour of Charlie Roberts.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Haynes, Graham (1998). A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopaedia. Yore Publications. p. 101. ISBN 1 874427 57 7.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Brentford's Official Matchday Magazine versus Luton Town 24/08/96. 1996. p. 24.
  3. http://www.cfchistory.com/george-parsonage-affair
  4. http://www.doingthe92.com/stats/display_player.asp?step=61&ID=8&pid=53019&ptag=George_Parsonage
  5. TW8: Brentford Official Matchday Programme versus Notts County 24/02/01. Charlton, London. 2001. p. 14.