George Waddell was born in Lesmahagow on 13th July, 1889. He played his early football in Scotland and included spells at Dalziel Rovers, Burnbank Athletic, Larkhill United, Glasgow Rangers and Kilmarnock before moving south to join Bradford City in 1914.
After playing 23 games either side of the First World War, Waddell was transferred to Preston North End in 1919. Manager Vincent Hayes was attempting to rebuild his side after the war. His captain was the former English international, Joseph McCall. He also signed Tommy Roberts, Rowland Woodhouse, Archie Rawlings and George Speak.
Preston North End did very well in the FA Cup in 1921. The club defeated Newcastle United (3-1), Barnsley (3-0) and Arsenal (2-1). Archie Rawlings scored the first goal in the semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur and created the chance for Tommy Roberts to score the winning goal.
Preston played Huddersfield Town in the final. The team lost to the only goal of the game, a penalty conceded by Tommy Hamilton. It was awarded when Hamilton tripped Huddersfield's outside-left Billy Smith. Hamilton admitted the offence but claimed it was outside the penalty area.
Speak played in 51 games for Preston before being transferred to Oldham Athletic in 1922. He also played for Birmingham City before retiring from the game.
George Waddell died in 1966
