Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

Mick George

Mick George
Personal information
Full nameDerek Michael George[1]
Bornc. 1950
Playing information
PositionCentre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1971–82 Widnes 296 108 0 1 325
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1975–81 Lancashire 4 0 0 0 0
Source: [2][3]

Derek Michael George is an English former rugby league footballer who played as a centre. He played nearly 300 games for Widnes between 1971 and 1982, winning three Challenge Cup medals with the club.

Playing career

George made his first team debut for Widnes in 1971 after some impressive performances for the 'A' team.[4] He earned a regular place in the first team the following year after scoring two tries in a league game against Wakefield Trinity.[5]

George played for Widnes during a successful era, and won five Lancashire Cups with the club (1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79 and 1979–80), one John Player Trophy in 1975–76, and one Premiership in 1979–80. He also helped Widnes win the league championship in 1977–78.

George played for the club at Wembley in four Challenge Cup finals (1974–75, 1975–76, 1978–79 and 1980–81), winning three of them, and most notably scoring a try in the 1981 final against Hull Kingston Rovers.[6]

George was granted a testimonial by Widnes in August 1981.[7] He missed the second half of the 1981–82 season after suffering a torn knee ligament during an 'A' team game,[8] and announced his retirement a year later after failing to fully recover from the injury.[9]

References

  1. ^ "What's In A Name". Runcorn Weekly News. 11 September 1980. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Player Summary: Mick George". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  3. ^ "Mick George - Playing Career". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  4. ^ "Big fight opens for Kiwi Test places". Liverpool Echo (Sports Final ed.). 14 August 1971. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "George inspires Widnes". Liverpool Echo. 13 December 1972. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Flashback: All smiles when the Chemics were the Cup Kings". Runcorn and Widnes World. 26 September 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  7. ^ "Widnes v Fulham Aug 1981 Mick George Testimonial Rugby League Programme". Rugbyreplay. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  8. ^ "Stockley to step in for Stephenson". Manchester Evening News. 9 February 1982. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Mick's Farewell". Football Echo. Liverpool Echo. 29 January 1983. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.