George Haigh
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | George Haigh | ||
| Date of birth | 26 June 1915[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Reddish, England[1] | ||
| Playing position | Centre-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Manchester City | |||
| 1936–1938 | Stockport County | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1938–1942 | Stockport County | ||
| 1942–1945 | Rochdale | ||
| 1945–1946 | Lancaster City | ||
| Teams managed | |||
| Rossendale United | |||
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
George Haigh (born 26 June 1915) is an English former professional footballer, mainly known for his association with Stockport County. At the age of 102, he is the oldest surviving former County player,[2] and it is believed he is also the oldest surviving former professional footballer.[3]
Career
Haigh's career started at Manchester City, as a junior. He played in the reserves alongside Frank Swift, but when Swift was promoted to the senior side, Haigh stayed where he was.[4] In 1936, He joined Stockport County, where he played at all levels for County, from the A team right up to the first team.[5] Haigh had the misfortune to score an own goal on his debut for County, and made a second league appearance before the outbreak of the Second World War.
In 1940, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force, serving as a physical training instructor and was stationed at RAF Morecambe and RAF Wilmslow, where he trained new recruits and parachutists.[1] He reached the rank of flight sergeant before being commissioned an acting pilot officer (on probation) on 20 June 1941,[6] and was regraded as a pilot officer (on probation) on 20 August.[7] Whilst at Morecambe, he played for the services team, and in 1942, joined Rochdale. Rochdale often played Blackpool, and Haigh was usually tasked to mark Stanley Matthews.[4] During wartime, he also made guest appearances for Walsall and Burnley.[5] On 20 June 1942, Haigh was confirmed in the rank of pilot officer, and was promoted to flying officer (war-substantive) on 20 August.[8] He was promoted to flight lieutenant (war-substantive) on 11 September 1944,[9] and was mentioned in despatches in 1945, ending his service with the rank of squadron leader.[10]
In 1945, he was offered the player-manager position at Arbroath, but Haigh decided to join Lancaster City as they had offered him a trade as a metal spinner, as well as the captaincy of the team. Haigh was discharged as a sergeant in 1946, and later managed Rossendale United.[1]
In 1998, County's club historians got back in touch with Haigh (and even then he was considered one of the oldest surviving former professional footballers). Since then, he has maintained regular contact with the club, appearing as a guest of honour in 2008, and in 2010, was one of the first recipients of a Stockport County Appearance Number certificate. He has continued to watch County home and away.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Stockport County legend turns 100". PFA.com. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ↑ "County Legend George Haigh at Brackley tomorrow". Stockport County F.C. 27 February 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ↑ "George Haigh - The Oldest Surviving Professional Footballer In the World". Stockport County F.C. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- 1 2 "George Haigh: "I asked Stanley Matthews, 'How the hell do you do it?'"". Daily Mirror. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- 1 2 3 "Legend George Haigh returns to Edgeley Park". Stockport County F.C. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ↑ "No. 35217". The London Gazette. 11 July 1941. p. 4002.
- ↑ "No. 35254". The London Gazette. 22 August 1941. p. 4878.
- ↑ "No. 35717". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 September 1942. p. 4169.
- ↑ "No. 36819". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 November 1944. p. 5511.
- ↑ "No. 37119". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 June 1945. p. 2992.