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Players Index Page Last Updated
17 January 2025
 
 

George Davis

Derby County FC

 2 appearances, 1 debut goal

P 2 W 1 D 1 L 0 F 5: A 3
75% successful
1904

captain: none
minutes played: 180

Timeline
  George Henry Davis
Birth Sunday, 5 June 1881 at 20 King Street, South Normanton, Alfreton, Derbyshire.
  registered in Belper July-September 1881
Baptism Sunday, 3 July 1881 at St. Martin's Church, Alfreton.
 

According to the 1881 census, Martha is pregnant with the child who will become George Henry. He will be the youngest of seven children. His father, John, is a greengrocer. They live at 20 King Street in Alfreton.
 

According to the 1891 census, George now has a younger sister, and the eight children now live with their parents at 20 King Street in Alfreton. His father is a provision dealer.
 

According to the 1901 census, George is one of only four children still with their parents in King Street. He is now an assistant greengrocer. His father being the greengrocer.
Marriage to Martha Dennis, on Tuesday, 25 August 1903, at St. Martin's Church, Alfreton, Derbyshire
  registered in Belper July-September 1903
Children George and Martha Davis had five children together. George (b.16 November 1904), Vera (b.9 September 1906), Harriet Madge (b.18 April 1908), Annie, and another son, Arthur (b.1920).
  "George Davis, the well-known Derby County outside left, who has not been invited to re-sign for the 'Rams,' has taken the Plough Inn, Alfreton. This house is the headquarters of the Alfreton Club, with which Davis was connected before joining the County." - Alfreton and Belper Journal, Friday, 22 May 1908
 

According to the 1911 census, George Henry is now married to Martha, with four children, George, Vera, Harriet and Annie. He is a Hotelkeeper at the Plough Inn, on Nottingham Road in Alfreton. They have two servants.
"ALARMING TRAP ACCIDENT. —An alarming trap accident which might very easily have resulted in far more serious consequences, took place on Normanton Common on Monday night last about nine o'clock. A horse and light trap driven by H. Severn, of Alfreton, was proceeding along Alfreton Road, towards Sutton-in-Ashfield, when they came into collision, near Naylor's farm, with a horse and heavy spring cart belonging to Brett and Sons, ironmongers, of Chesterfield. The results to the light trap were disastrous, the wheels, axle, and springs being torn bodily from the superstructure. The driver was thrown to the ground and stunned, whilst the terrified horse made off at top speed with the body of the trap bumping on the road behind it...It appears that the damaged trap belongs to Mr. George Davis, of the Plough Inn, Alfreton, a famous footballer, and Severn is employed by him." - Alfreton and Belper Journal, Friday, 6 October 1911
"WALL BLOWN DOWN —During Saturday evening whilst a stiff wind swept the district, two walls of new shop property belonging to Mr. George Davis, of the 'Plough Inn', Alfreton, in course of erection in High Street were blown down." - Alfreton and Belper Journal, Friday, 29 December 1911
"A CHANGE OF TENANCY —It is stated that Mr. George Davis is leaving the Plough Inn, in Nottingham-road, and that his successor will be Mr. John Broadhurst, of Hill-street." - Alfreton and Belper Journal, Friday, 13 September 1912
"SALES BY AUCTION —TO BE SOLD by AUCTION, by Messrs. W. WATSON & SON, at the 'Plough' Inn, Alfreton, on
MONDAY, JANUARY 27TH, 1913,
At 6 o'clock in the Evening precisely, subject to Conditions of Sale to be then declared:
Re A. J. SMITH. By Order of the Trustee.
LOT 1.
   SALE SHOP with DWELLING HOUSE, together with the Yard, Garden, and the Appurtenances thereto belonging, and the DWELLING HOUSE adjoining, situate Prospect Street, Alfreton, now or late in the occupation of Mr. A. J. Smith.
  There is good accommodation, and the premises are well situated for business purposes.
  By direction of Mr. GEO. DAVIS, the Owner."
"MONDAY, March 3rd, at 11 o'clock. High Street, Alfreton. By order of Mr. George Davis, who is going abroad. Unreserved Auction Sale of Household Furniture, Horses, Carts, Harness, Hay, Fish Appliances, Stove, etc." - Derbyshire Times, Saturday, 25 January 1913
  "The many old friends of George Davis, the Derby County and International forward, will be interested to learn that he is doing well in Canada, and planting the seeds of proficiency in the Association code in the minds and limbs of the young men of Calgary. When Davis left England he made for Calgary, and secured an engagement to coach the local team of footballers. Davis has full charge of the ground, which, he says, is a lovely pitch with everything up to date. He does not regret his undertaking, and when his wife and family arrive from England says he will be a happy man." - The Derby Daily Telegraph, Friday, 23 May 1913
 

The Davis' do not appear in the 1921 census, as they are in Canada.
"GEORGE DAVIS VISITS
  ALFRETON—George Davis, the old Derby County right winger, who emigrated to Canada, along with his wife and family some 17 years ago, is over on a visit to his native town of Alfreton. When on this side Davis was the genial host of the Plough Inn, and today has two hotels, one at Three Hills, which is 84 miles from Calgary, and another at Blackie, about 50 miles from that place. His elder son, who is 26, is manager of one of the hotels, and his younger son, who is ten years old, has captained boys' teams at baseball and is a very keen hockey player. Mr. and Mrs. Davis left Calgary, Alberta, on May 1st, and joined a party who toured the States to Montreal, and then crossed to France. They have visited Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, and Holland, and witnessed the Passion Play at Oberammergan. They return to Canada on August 9th, and hope to reach Calgary about the middle of September." - Ripley and Heanor News, Friday, 25 July 1930

According to Passenger Lists, George Henry returned to Canada on board the SS Montrose, having left Liverpool on 5 April 1935, arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia, seven days later. These lists state that George had been in Canada previously from March 1913 until November 1934, residing at Three Hills Hotel, in Three Hills, Alberta.
The Davis' do not appear in the 1939 register, as they remain in Canada.
According to a newspaper report, Davis returned to England to watch Derby County FC play in the 1949 FA Cup Final, address stated as being the Clarence Hotel in Vancouver.
He returned to Liverpool on 5 April 1954 on board the SS Empress of Scotland, having set off from New York, to reside with his brother at 70 King Street in Alfreton.
"GEORGE DAVIS OVER FROM

  CANADA—George Davis—one-time Derby County player—went to Canada 41 years ago as a soccer coach. Last Friday silver-haired George, who now owns a chain of hotels, drove his ex-Royal car through Sheffield. The car is a 20-foot-long Lincoln coupe used by the Queen—then Princess Elizabeth—and the Duke of Edinburgh in Alberta during their tour of Canada. George—a 73-year-old widower—said 'The car didn't cost me a great deal more than normal. People told me I was asking for trouble bringing it over on to these little roads. But I've had no real bother.' Cost to bring the car across the Atlantic: 475 dollars (over £186). He has had several offers—one from a famous English comedian—but has refused them all. 'It's going to be for my own personal use,' he said." - Ripley and Heanor News, Friday, 2 July 1954

According to a report in the Football Post & News on 21 January 1967, the 85 year-old George lives in Greythorn Drive, in the Wilford Hill area of West Bridgford in Nottingham.
Despite his extensive appearances in the national media, both in the UK and Canada, throughout his life, George Henry Davis slipped through the typewriting keys when it came to reporting his death. His death registration states he was born on 3 June 1881...but why in Wimbledon? When he was in Nottingham just two years previous. No George Henry Davis' died in Nottingham post-67 with the correct age.
Death Monday, 28 April 1969, at 1 Swinburn Court in Wimbledon, Surrey
aged 87 years 327 days registered in Merton April-June 1969
Probate "DAVIS George Henry of 1 Swinburn Court The Downs Wimbledon London died 28 April 1969 Nottingham 29 July. Effects £7695." [2024 equivalent: £109,718].
Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &

Playing Career
Club(s) Started his career with Alfreton Town FC 'when he was 14 years of age' before joining Derby County FC for a £15 transfer fee, for £4pw, from December 1899. After missing the 1905-06 season with injury, he was almost transferred to Notts County FC, but instead, he re-signed with Derby, where remained until the 1909 close season, afterwhich he rejoined Alfreton Town FC. He then spent his career playing for Derbyshire non-league clubs, Birchwood Colliery FC, Riddings United FC, Ripley Ivanhoe FC, South Normanton FC and Stoneyford FC. Then he spent six seasons with Derbyshire Alliance club Codnor Town FC. In February 1911, went on a tour of France with Maidenhead FC. Played for Calgary FC after he emigrated to Canada in 1913 and played until 1925, as a 45 year-old. "Football in Canada, says Mr. Davis, is on par with our Third Division standard." -  spoken in 1930
League honours
134 appearances 27 goals		 Derby County FC 1900-09 134 appearances, 27 goals
debut: 1 December 1900 Derby County FC 4 West Bromwich Albion FC 1.
last (division two): 20 April 1908 Grimsby Town FC 1 Derby County FC 0.
Club honours FA Cup runners-up 1902-03 (5ᵃ 1ᵍ);
Dominion of Canada FA Cup winners 1921-22 "George is reputed to be the only man who holds both F.A cup final and Canadian cup final medals"
Individual honours None
Distinctions Was a trialist with England at Lacrosse.
Uncle of Jack Davis (Derby County FC 1905-10)
Height/Weight 5' 6½", 10st. 12lbs [1903].
Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

Management Career
Club "His original occupation in the Dominion was as coach to a Manitoba team."; "He is manager of the Calgary Hillhurst team, which won the Dominion of Canada F.A. Cup, as champions of Alberta, against Namaino, the champions of British Colombia."
Club honours Dominion of Canada FA Cup winners 1921-22 "George is reputed to be the only man who holds both F.A cup final and Canadian cup final medals"

England Career
Player number One of seven who became the 290th players (296) to appear for England.
Position(s) Outside-left
First match No. 80, 29 February 1904, Wales 2 England 2, a British Championship match at The Racecourse, Mold Road, Wrexham, aged 22 years 269 days.
Last match No. 81, 12 March 1904, Ireland 1 England 3, a British Championship match at Cliftonville Gardens, Cliftonville, Belfast, aged 22 years 281 days.
Major tournaments British Championship 1903-04;
Team honours British Championship winners 1903-04;
Individual honours The North (one appearance, 1ᵍ January 1904);
Distinctions As a successful hotelier in Canada, Davis entertained the FA team that toured Canada in 1950.
Died four days after Ernie Blenkinsop and seventeen days after Jack Townrow.

Beyond England
Emigrated to Canada in 1912 where he had a big hand in developing the game in Vancouver and Alberta. He assisted Calgary Hillhurst for a number of years, winning with that club a Canadian Cup winners' medal as late as 1922. Later coached Minitoba. He returned to England, particularly the Nottingham area, in the late 1950's. Throughout, he had been a very successful hotelier and at one time, an Alfreton potato merchant. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.84.


The Numbers
parties Appearances comp. apps minutes goals ave.min comp. goals captain
2 2 2 180 1 180 min 1 none
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
2 1 1 0 5 3 +2 0 0 2.5 1.5 75 +1
Both of his matches were played in the British Championship competition and at an away venue

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1903-04 2 1 1 0 5 3 +2 0 0 2.50 1.50 75.0 +1
BC All 2 1 1 0 5 3 +2 0 0 2.50 1.50 75.0 +1

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 2 1 1 0 5 3 +2 0 0 2.50 1.50 75.0 +1
2 1 1 0 5 3 +2 0 0 2.5 1.5 75 +1

Match History

 Club: Derby County F.C. - two full appearances (180 min) F.A. International Select Committee - two full appearances (180 min)x

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 22 trial  
one appearance - The South vs. The North, January 1904;

1 80 29 February 1904 - Wales 2 England 2
The Racecourse, Wrexham		 BC AD hit bar 1st half
68 volley		 ol

one of seven who became the 290th player (296) to appear for England
the eighth Derby County FC player to represent England
the 54th player to score on his England debut - the 38th competitive

2 81 12 March 1904 - Ireland 1 England 3
Cliftonville Gardens, Belfast		 BC AW   ol
 


  

 
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