Born in West Ham, Essex, Male trialled with West Ham United before playing with non-league Clapton. He joined Arsenal as an amateur in November 1929, turning professional in May 1930 and made his debut in a 7–1 victory over Blackpool on 27 December 1930. Initially a left-winger or left-half, usually deputising for Bob John. Male's appearances were few and far between - three in 1930-31 (in which Arsenal won the First Division for the first time in their history) and nine in 1931-32, although he was a surprise choice at left half in the 1932 FA Cup final after Alex James was withdrawn because of injury and the side reshuffled as a result. Arsenal controversially lost 2–1 to Newcastle United, after Newcastle's equaliser had come after the ball had already gone behind for a goal kick.
In 1932, with Arsenal's current right back Tom Parker ageing and his replacement, Leslie Compton, not looking entirely assured, Male was converted from left half to right back by Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman; Male would later recount how, before being told of the switch by Chapman, he entered his office fearing for his future at the club, but Chapman convinced him not only could he play at right back, but that he was the best right back in the country.
Bolstered by Chapman's pep talk, Male slotted into the right back role easily, and he became a near ever-present for the next seven seasons; he was undisputed first-choice right back and played over 35 matches for every season in that period. During that time, Arsenal won the First Division four more times (1932-33, 1933-34, 1934-35 and 1937-38), as well as the FA Cup in 1935-36. He also won the FA Charity Shield in 1933, 1934 and 1938.[1][2][3]
Male's performances for club soon meant he was an international; he made his debut for England against Scotland on 14 November 1934 and went on to win nineteen caps for his country, captaining the team for six of them.
By the end of the 1930s, Male was Arsenal captain, although injuries restricted his appearances in 1938-39. However, World War II intervened when Male was 29 and at the peak of his career; he played nearly 200 wartime matches for Arsenal, as well as serving in the Royal Air Force in Palestine. Upon the resumption of League football Male was 36, but still played 8 times in Arsenal's 1947-48 First Division-winning season,[4] and thus became the first player in League history to play in six title-winning seasons. His last match for Arsenal was an 8–0 victory over Grimsby Town in May 1948. In all he played 318 matches for the Gunners, though he never scored a goal.
Coaching career
After retiring from playing, Male became a coach at Arsenal, training the youth and reserve teams. He was later a scout, discovering, amongst others, Charlie George. He was still at the club to see it win its first Double in 1970-71, before retiring finally in 1975; he later emigrated to Canada to live with his son. Although at the time of his death in February 1998, at the age of 87,[5] he was reported as being the last survivor of the Herbert Chapman era, Ray Bowden survived until September that year, and to a greater age (89).
References
Notes
^"1933/34 F.A. Charity Shield". footballsite.co.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
^"1934/35 F.A. Charity Shield". footballsite.co.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
^"1938/39 F.A. Charity Shield". footballsite.co.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
^"1947-48 competition statistics". 11v11.com. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
Harris, Jeff (1995). Hogg, Tony (ed.). Arsenal Who's Who. Independent UK Sports. ISBN1-899429-03-4.
December 30, 2022
george, male, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, march, 2011, . This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources George Male news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message Charles George Male 8 May 1910 19 February 1998 was an English footballer George MalePersonal informationFull nameCharles George MaleDate of birth 1910 05 08 8 May 1910Place of birthWest Ham Essex EnglandDate of death19 February 1998 1998 02 19 aged 87 Position s Right back left halfSenior career YearsTeamApps Gls 1929 1948Arsenal285 0 International career1934 1939England19 0 Club domestic league appearances and goalsPlaying career EditBorn in West Ham Essex Male trialled with West Ham United before playing with non league Clapton He joined Arsenal as an amateur in November 1929 turning professional in May 1930 and made his debut in a 7 1 victory over Blackpool on 27 December 1930 Initially a left winger or left half usually deputising for Bob John Male s appearances were few and far between three in 1930 31 in which Arsenal won the First Division for the first time in their history and nine in 1931 32 although he was a surprise choice at left half in the 1932 FA Cup final after Alex James was withdrawn because of injury and the side reshuffled as a result Arsenal controversially lost 2 1 to Newcastle United after Newcastle s equaliser had come after the ball had already gone behind for a goal kick In 1932 with Arsenal s current right back Tom Parker ageing and his replacement Leslie Compton not looking entirely assured Male was converted from left half to right back by Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman Male would later recount how before being told of the switch by Chapman he entered his office fearing for his future at the club but Chapman convinced him not only could he play at right back but that he was the best right back in the country Bolstered by Chapman s pep talk Male slotted into the right back role easily and he became a near ever present for the next seven seasons he was undisputed first choice right back and played over 35 matches for every season in that period During that time Arsenal won the First Division four more times 1932 33 1933 34 1934 35 and 1937 38 as well as the FA Cup in 1935 36 He also won the FA Charity Shield in 1933 1934 and 1938 1 2 3 Male s performances for club soon meant he was an international he made his debut for England against Scotland on 14 November 1934 and went on to win nineteen caps for his country captaining the team for six of them By the end of the 1930s Male was Arsenal captain although injuries restricted his appearances in 1938 39 However World War II intervened when Male was 29 and at the peak of his career he played nearly 200 wartime matches for Arsenal as well as serving in the Royal Air Force in Palestine Upon the resumption of League football Male was 36 but still played 8 times in Arsenal s 1947 48 First Division winning season 4 and thus became the first player in League history to play in six title winning seasons His last match for Arsenal was an 8 0 victory over Grimsby Town in May 1948 In all he played 318 matches for the Gunners though he never scored a goal Coaching career EditAfter retiring from playing Male became a coach at Arsenal training the youth and reserve teams He was later a scout discovering amongst others Charlie George He was still at the club to see it win its first Double in 1970 71 before retiring finally in 1975 he later emigrated to Canada to live with his son Although at the time of his death in February 1998 at the age of 87 5 he was reported as being the last survivor of the Herbert Chapman era Ray Bowden survived until September that year and to a greater age 89 References EditNotes 1933 34 F A Charity Shield footballsite co uk Retrieved 2 February 2022 1934 35 F A Charity Shield footballsite co uk Retrieved 2 February 2022 1938 39 F A Charity Shield footballsite co uk Retrieved 2 February 2022 1947 48 competition statistics 11v11 com Retrieved 28 November 2013 Obituary George Male The Independent co uk SourcesHarris Jeff 1995 Hogg Tony ed Arsenal Who s Who Independent UK Sports ISBN 1 899429 03 4 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title George Male amp oldid 1099992291, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
