George King (5 January 1923 – 2009) was an English footballer. A forward, he scored 59 goals in 164 league games in a seven-year career in the Football League. He was the brother of goalkeepers Frank and Ray King.
King began his career with Newcastle United following the conclusions of World War II. He had a brief spell with Hull City before joining Port Vale in April 1949. He impressed for the "Valiants" and was sold to Barrow for a four-figure fee in February 1950. He scored more than half of his career goals for the "Bluebirds" before he enjoyed brief stays with Bradford City and Gillingham. He later played for non-League clubs King's Lynn and Ely City.
Early life King grew up in Amble after being born in Warkworth and worked as a grocer's apprentice before establishing himself in professional football. His brothers Frank and Ray also became professional goalkeepers. Alongside football, King played cricket for Amble Cricket Club during the summer and was an accomplished all-rounder.
Career King played for the Royal Air Force during World War II. During the war, he narrowly escaped death when he was aboard a ship that was sunk by a U-boat. He signed with Newcastle United in 1945, despite interest from Burnley. He played two Second Division games in 1946–47, before injury restricted his progress. He swapped St James' Park for Boothferry Park when he transferred to Hull City. King joined Hull City in March 1948 and made his debut as a replacement for Norman Moore in the final stages of the 1947–48 season. He made one further Third Division North appearance for the "Tigers" in October 1948 before leaving the club in April 1949.
He joined Port Vale for a four-figure fee in April 1949. His brother Ray was a player there and the two played alongside each other. He scored twice on his debut, a 3–1 win over Torquay United at the Old Recreation Ground on 23 April. He scored three goals in eight Third Division South games in 1949–50, but lost his place in October 1949. He was sold to Barrow for a four-figure fee in February 1950 by manager Gordon Hodgson. King scored a hat-trick against Halifax Town in March 1950 and finished the following season as Barrow's leading scorer with 20 goals. He scored 35 goals in 86 Third Division North games for Jack Hacking's "Bluebirds", before leaving Holker Street for Bradford City on a £4,500 transfer. His £4,500 transfer was reportedly a record fee paid between clubs in the Third Division North.
King scored nine times in 23 games for Ivor Powell's "Bantams" in 1952–53 in a brief stay at Valley Parade. He later scored five goals in 21 Third Division South games for Archie Clark's Gillingham. King left Priestfield and the Football League and played for United Counties League side King's Lynn before he was appointed player-coach at Cambridgeshire League side Ely City, becoming the club's first manager in June 1955. He led the club to the first round of the FA Cup in 1956–57, at which point they lost out to Torquay United. After retiring, he became a chiropodist. He died in 2009, having suffered with alzheimer's disease.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsNewcastle United1946–47Second Division200020Hull City1947–48Third Division North2000201948–49Third Division North100010Total300030Port Vale1948–49Third Division South2200221949–50Third Division South830083Total10500105Barrow1949–50Third Division North17120017121950–51Third Division North45191146201951–52Third Division North24600246Total8637118738Bradford City1951–52Third Division North198001981952–53Third Division North410041Total23900239Gillingham1952–53Third Division South19520215Career total143563114657
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