George Peterson Abbey (born 20 October 1978) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a defender.
Starting his career with Sharks, in 1999, he moved to England to play for Macclesfield Town. After five years at Town, he signed with Port Vale in December 2004. He moved on to Crewe Alexandra in the summer of 2007 and left the club after a two-year stay. In 2010, he moved to Cyprus to play for Akritas Chlorakas. He made 18 appearances for the Nigeria national team and was in the Nigeria squad for the third-place finish in the 2004 African Cup of Nations.
Club career Abbey was born to a Nigerian father and a Welsh mother. He grew up in the southern Nigerian city of Port Harcourt along with fellow footballer Joseph Yobo, who has remained his close friend since they both left the country.
After playing for Sharks F.C. in his hometown, he left for England and was signed up with Sammy McIlroy's Macclesfield Town in 1999. He played 18 games in the Third Division in 1999–2000. He featured 23 times in the 2000–01 campaign, and made 19 appearances under David Moss in 2001–02. He scored his first goal in the Football League on 15 April 2003, in a 3–2 win over Shrewsbury Town at Gay Meadow. Abbey played 24 games in 2002–03, as Macclesfield finished just six points clear of the relegation zone. He featured 30 times in the 2003–04 campaign, as he helped the "Silkmen" to finish three places and seven points above relegated Carlisle United. He played a total of 117 league and cup games for Macclesfield before being released by manager Brian Horton in the summer.
Abbey was reported to be looking to sign for a Premier League club, but instead he was signed up by League One side Port Vale in December 2004. He played 18 times in the 2004–05 season, helping Vale to avoid relegation into League Two by a five-point margin. He featured 22 times in the 2005–06 season. Abbey played 31 games in 2006–07, scoring in a 2–1 defeat to rivals Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road on 4 November. He was released by manager Martin Foyle in May 2007.
He joined Crewe Alexandra at the end of July 2007. He featured 23 times for Steve Holland's "Railwaymen" in 2007–08, and signed a two-year contract at the end of the season. However, he played just seven times for new boss Guðjón Þórðarson, and agreed to have his contract terminated in May 2009. Abbey underwent a trial at Tranmere Rovers, playing in pre-season friendlies against Cammell Laird, Preston North End and Liverpool. However, due to Rovers financial difficulties, they were unable to offer Abbey a permanent contract.
In 2010, he joined Akritas Chlorakas in the Cypriot Second Division. He stayed for the 2010–11 season before retiring from football to become a fitness trainer.
International career Abbey was part of the Nigeria squad that participated in the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations held in Tunisia, thanks in part to a close relationship with Everton player Joseph Yobo, with whom he offered advice when deciding whether to move to Everton. The "Super Eagles" lost to Tunisia in the semi-finals before beating Mali 2–1 to claim third place. He was not called up to the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, to his great disappointment.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMacclesfield Town1999–2000Third Division1802010002102000–01Third Division1801040002302001–02Third Division1701000101902002–03Third Division2212000002412003–04Third Division2503010103002004–05League Two0000000000Total10019060201171Port Vale2004–05League One1800000001802005–06League One2001010002202006–07League One241203020311Total621304020711Crewe Alexandra2007–08League One2300000002302008–09League One7000000070Total300000000300Akritas Chlorakas2010–11Cypriot Second Division80——0080Career total2002120100402262
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNigeria2003302004110200510200620200710Total180
Honours Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations third-place: 2004
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