George Berry (footballer)
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | George Frederick Berry | ||
| Date of birth | 19 November 1957 | ||
| Place of birth | Rostrup, Germany | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Playing position | Centre back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1974–1976 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1976–1982 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 124 | (4) |
| 1982–1990 | Stoke City | 237 | (27) |
| 1984–1985 | → Doncaster Rovers (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 1990–1991 | Peterborough United | 32 | (6) |
| 1991–1992 | Preston North End | 4 | (0) |
| 1991–1992 | → Aldershot (loan) | 25 | (1) |
| 1992–1995 | Stafford Rangers | 71 | (7) |
| Total | 423 | (38) | |
| National team | |||
| 1979–1983 | Wales | 5 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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George Berry (born 19 November 1957 in Rostrup, Germany[1]) is a former Welsh international footballer, who played as a centre back. He was a tough-tackling defender also noted for his distinctive afro haircut.[2][3]
[edit] Career
Berry began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers as an apprentice in April 1974, turning professional on his 18th birthday.
The defender remained a first choice throughout the next few years, winning the fans' player of the year award in 1979 and the 1980 League Cup, when Wolves beat reigning European champions Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Wembley.
The club suffered relegation though in 1981/82 and Berry was sold to Stoke City, for whom he made the most appearances in his career. He spent eight years there - the first three in the top flight before relegation - and captained the club. George was also voted Stoke City's all-time cult hero by Football Focus viewers. Berry won with 41% of the vote, ahead of fellow Stoke favourites Mark Stein and Denis Smith. When Stoke dropped to the third tier in 1990, Berry joined Peterborough United, with whom he was promoted from the (old) Division 4, scoring the vital last day equaliser which achieved it.
He moved onto Preston North End for the following season, from where he was loaned to Aldershot.[1] The club went bankrupt mid-season though had to withdraw from the Football League (meaning the League appearances he made for them are not recognised by some sources).
Berry played international football for Wales on five occasions.[1]
After retiring from playing, Berry gained a business degree and became the senior commercial executive at the Professional Footballers' Association.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "George Berry". Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Database. Neil Brown. http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/georgeberry.htm. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ a b Telegrpah interview October 2008
- ^ Photo at troubled-diva.com
- 1957 births
- Living people
- Welsh footballers
- Wales international footballers
- Association football central defenders
- The Football League players
- Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players
- Stoke City F.C. players
- Doncaster Rovers F.C. players
- Peterborough United F.C. players
- Preston North End F.C. players
- Aldershot F.C. players
- Alumni of Staffordshire University
