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Kindly contributed by Paula Miller (nee Rix)
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George Hardwick Captains Middlesbrough
ONE of the greats of English football has died at the age of 84, following a lengthy illness. George Hardwick's professional football career did not get off to the best of starts. After playing for Middlesbrough reserves at the age of 14, he made his first team debut three years later and promptly scored an own goal with his first touch of the ball, which lead to a 2-1 defeat by Bolton.
After such an ignominious start things could only get better, and they did, during a 18-year career that saw him captain Middlesbrough, England and, uniquely, Great Britain. Born at Lingdale, Mr Hardwick never forgot the qualities that took him from East Cleveland to stardom. He called the local fighters, who, during his time there were also hungry. On return visits he would tell youngsters there was only one place to be, and that was at the top. "I was a winner and that's what Lingdale did for me, no doubt about it." he would say.
In his autobiography, called Gentleman George, he fondly remembered a happy contented childhood, supported by a caring family. His professional playing career, which began in 1937, panned 166 games for Middlesbrough. But his career was split in half by the Second World War, during which he spent 6 1/2 years in the RAF. Duties permitting, he made 75 appearances for Chelsea, during which he played in two cup finals. Then following a record £15,000 transfer for a full back in 1950, he made 190 appearances as Oldham's player-manager.
He won 13 full international caps for England, but one of his proudest moments came when he captained a Great Britain team in May 1947. Playing against the rest of Europe, in what was billed as "the match of the century," Mr Hardwick led the team to a 6-1 victory. He had a spell in management abroad, staring off in charge of the US 7th Army in Stuttgart in 1956, followed by the Dutch national side and PSV Eindhoven. But his most famous managerial move was when he became boss at Sunderland in 1964, giving Brian Clough his first coaching job. As well as his playing skills, Mr Hardwick was also blessed with film star looks, making him one of the game's first pin-ups.
Following his retirement, he was awarded an honorary degree from Teesside University, while his playing days were marked with a statue at the Riverside Stadium. Even in his eighties he was still widely respected by all ages and from all quarters, earning him the Freedom of the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland.
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson said:"George Hardwick's name was synonymous with the club. He was a Boro legend and, alongside the late Wilf Mannion, represented the club and town at the highest level of the international stage."
taken from The Darlington & Stockton Times (Friday 23rd April)