George Handley (footballer)

youthyears = youthclubs = years =
1904–1906
1906–1911
1911–1912
1912–1913
1913–1921 clubs = Hallam
Chesterfield
Bradford City
Southampton
Goole Town
Bradford City caps(goals) =
25 (4)
86 (29)
24 (2)

17 (1) manageryears = 1912–1913 managerclubs = Goole Town nationalyears = nationalteam = nationalcaps(goals) = pcupdate = ntupdate = }} George Albert Handley (1886 – 1952) was an English professional footballer who played most of his career (as a winger) with Bradford City.

Playing career

He was born in Totley, Sheffield and represented Sheffield Schools four times in the annual matches against London Schools. He started his professional career with Hallam before moving to Chesterfield in January 1904. After two seasons with Chesterfield he joined Bradford City for the first time in October 1906.

At Bradford City he scored goals prolifically; in the 1907–08 season he scored 16 goals helping City to the Second Division championship. He struggled to repeat this form in the First Division and by 1911 he had fallen out of favour. His availability attracted the attention of Southampton’s new manager George Swift, whom he had first met at Chesterfield. Swift was Southampton’s first appointment as manager and promptly embarked on a spending spree, signing eleven players in six weeks.

Handley was immediately drafted into the first team on the left-wing, making his debut on 2 September 1911 at home to Millwall. Desribed by Holley & Chalk as "an orthodox player, who depended on team-mates to create openings" he was, however, one of Swift’s better signings. After Swift was dismissed at the end of the season, Handley left The Dell and took up a post of player-manager with Goole Town in April 1912.

In December 1913 he returned to Bradford City. During World War I, Handley joined the Royal Flying Corps, before returning to Bradford City after the cessation of hostilities.

After a couple more seasons with City, he move to Switzerland to take up coaching positions with Brühl and St Gallen.

Honours

Bradford City

• Second Division championship: 1907–08

References

Category: 1886 births Category: 1952 deaths Category: People from Sheffield Category: English footballers Category: Pre-1914 Association Football players Category: Bradford City F.C. players Category: Southampton F.C. players Category: Southern Football League players Category: The Football League players