Profile: George Affleck
George Affleck was born at Auchendinny, a village just outside Penicuik, he played for the town team and it was there that he was discovered by Leeds City. He joined City in June 1909 and was a regular for the club throughout his career, apart from during his War service. He was equally adept in either full back spot, commencing at Left Back, switching to Right back for two seasons from 1910-11, and then back to Left Back, but being a good clubman, he filled either spot with aplomb as the club required. His game was built on tenacity and skill rather than speed and his adaptability allowed City to play Alec Creighton, at Left Back and Charlie Copeland, Fred Blackman, George Law or Harry Millership at Right Back as those players filled the alternate Full Back role. His only goal for Leeds City came from the penalty spot in a 5-1 win over Preston North End on 22nd February 1913. He was one of the players sold at auction by the club on its demise. He joined Grimsby Town for £500 and gave them splendid service making one hundred and ninety-seven appearances for them, without scoring, before retiring in 1925. He later coached in Rotterdam, Holland.
Match Report: Yorkshire Evening Post 26th March 1925
LEEDS UNITED AT GRIMSBY
BENEFIT MATCH FOR GEORGE AFFLECK
Leeds United visited Blundell Park this afternoon to play a benefit match with Grimsby Town on behalf of George Affleck, the Scottish full Back, who served both towns. The weather was fine but cold, and the attendance small, but a large number of ticks had been sold.
Teams: Grimsby Town: Archibald; Arch, Affleck; Wilson, Field, Coverdale; Thain, Burley, Carmichael, Dent?, Marshall. Leeds United: Down; Roberts, Speak; Baker, Hart, Smith; Richmond, Whipp, Thom, Swan, Martin.
The Grimsby chairman kicked off for United, who lost the toss. Martin sprinted away on the Leeds left, and some pretty combination between him and Swan and Smithlooked like being productive, but Arch intervened at the critical moment. Grimsby retaliated, and Marshall placed a centre which gave Burley an opening, but he shot outside. The United forwards advanced skilfully and Thom, taking a pass from Whipp, burst between the backs, but Archibald saved smartly. The Leeds forwards were quicker than the home vanguard and their deft passing gave the Town defence anxious moments. Whipp made a thrilling run and eluding three Grimsby players, appeared to have the Grimsby goal at his mercy, but Archibald brought off another good save. The pace was not particularly fast, both teams being content to play prtetty rather than strenuous football. Whipp particularly was prominent, his advances always being threatening. Carmichael provided a thrill by tricking Roberts and Speak, and then dashing down on goal, but the Leeds keeper rushed forward, and when the home leader tried to lift the ball over his head into the net succeeded in frustrating the effort. The Leeds goal had a narrow escape just afterwards when following clever work by Coverdale and Marshall, Carmichael got possession close up, but Speak, standing on the goal line, kicked away his shot when Down appeared to have been beaten. At the other end Whipp wound up a dashing run with a shot a foot too high.
Half-Time Score: Grimsby Town 0 Leeds United 0
Grimsby attacked on restarting, and after Down had repelled one shot from Thain, that winger scored at the second attempt. The Grimsby left broke away, and Marshall centred for Thain to cut in from the oppose wing and score a second goal. Whipp scored for Leeds United.
Result: Grimsby Town 2 Leeds United 1
(Teams and Match Report courtesy of Steve Bell)
