George Laking (footballer)

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George Laking
Personal information
Full name George Edward Laking[1]
Date of birth (1913-03-17)17 March 1913
Place of birth Harthill, South Yorkshire, England[1]
Date of death 1 June 1997(1997-06-01) (aged 84)[1]
Place of death Codsall,[2] Staffordshire[1]
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Kiveton Park
Dinnington
1934–1936 Wolverhamption Wanderers
1936–1947 Middlesbrough
1941–1942 → Sheffield Wednesday (guest)
1942 → Sheffield United (guest)
1942–1944 → Doncaster Rovers (guest)
1945 → Leeds United (guest)
1947–1949 Shrewsbury Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

George Edward Laking (17 March 1913 – June 1997) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Middlesbrough. Born in Harthill (near Rotherham), England he also played for a number of clubs in non-league and guested for several other clubs during World War II.

Football career[edit]

Laking began his football career with Kiveton Park and later Dinnington, before being signed by Wolverhampton Wanderers in May 1934.[1] Having made his Football League debut on 9 November 1935 against Grimsby Town,[1] Laking spent just over a season with the West Midlands club before being signed by Middlesbrough in October 1936.[1] Establishing himself as the club's first choice right back,[3] Laking was ever present during the 1937–38 season,[1] but lost his place the following year and eventually converted to play at left back.[1]

Laking guested for a number of Yorkshire clubs during the Second World War; Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Doncaster Rovers and Leeds United, before returning to league football with Middlesbrough following the end of the conflict.[1] Laking was now unable hold down a first team place, appearing just once more for 'Boro in 1936, and transferred to non-league Shrewsbury Town in the summer of 1947 where he remained until retiring two years later.[1]

Outside football[edit]

Laking was also adept at cricket and played for Shropshire[1] in seasons of 1957 and 1958 while playing for the Shrewsbury-based Rolls-Royce Cricket Club.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Denis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 198. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
  2. ^ a b Percival, Tony (1998). Shropshire Cricketers 1844–1998. A.C.S. Publications, Nottingham. p. 35. ISBN 1-902171-17-9.
  3. ^ "George Laking". 11v11.com. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
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