George Ratcliffe (footballer)

George Ratcliffe

Personal information
Full name	George Albert Ratcliffe
Date of birth	7 December 1876[1]
Place of birth	Longton, England[2]
Date of death	4 June 1944 (aged 67)
Place of death	Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, England
Position(s)	Left winger
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
	Crewe Alexandra
?–1900	Grimsby Town
1900–1902	West Ham United	41	(14)
1902–?	Doncaster Rovers
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

George Albert Ratcliffe (7 December 1876 – 4 June 1944) was an English footballer.^[3]

Club career

Ratcliffe played his early football in the North Staffordshire League. His football skills resulted in him being signed by Crewe Alexandra. Later he had spells at Sheffield United and Grimsby Town.

In 1900, Arnold Hills decided to bring in some experienced players to his new West Ham side. He played in 17 games in his first season, bagging 4 goals. Three of those coming in the last two matches of the season. The 1901-02 season was a big improvement and he ended up as joint top scorer with Billy Grassam, scoring 10 times in 24 games. At the end of the season Ratcliffe was transferred to Doncaster Rovers.

References

1. 1939 England and Wales Register
2. 1891 England Census
3. Joyce, Michael (2012) [2002]. Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 239. ISBN 978-1-905891-61-0.