Born: Bow, London (August, 1885)

Signed: 1904 and 1912

Position: Inside Forward

Appearances: 92

Goals: 35

International Caps: 8 (14 goals)

Left: 1905 and 1915

Died: September, 1941

 

 

 

 

 

 

George Hilsdon went to Marner Street School with Billy Bridgeman. Hilsdon played for East Ham Boys and was spotted playing in a Sunday League match by Syd King. The 18 year old signed for West Ham just before the start of the 1904-05. He scored in his first game for the club on 11th February, 1905. By the end of the season he had scored four goals in seven games. He continued this good run of form the following season where he scored 3 in 9 games. As a result, John Tait Robertson, persuaded Hilsdon to play for Chelsea. He was an immediate success scoring five goals on his debut. That season his 26 goals helped Chelsea to get promoted to the First Division. In 1907 he played his first game for England. Hilsdon scored an amazing 14 goals in 8 international games. Unfortunately, Hilsdon developed a drinking problem and lost his place in the Chelsea team in the 1911-12 season. After scoring 107 goals in 164 games he returned to West Ham. In his first season he scored 17 goals in 36 games. The First World War brought an end to Hilsdon's top-class football career. He joined the British Army and like many soldiers who served on the Western Front, had to endure a mustard gas attack at Arras in 1917. This badly damaged his lungs and although he played briefly for Chatham Town after the war. He scored 14 goals in six games but he was eventually forced to retire from the game. In 1924 Hilsdon joined Fred Karno's Troup, a popular vaudeville act. George Hilsdon died in September, 1941.