2020
My Life In Football by Robin George
It was at the age of six, with Matt Busby’s Manchester United winning the F.A. Cup 4 – 2 against Blackpool, that I began my love of football and Manchester United. I attended Sutton Veny Primary School and used to kick a tennis ball about in the playground. After school I would play football in the field with my friend Johnny Cooper, who was also a keen footballer. We had to attend school, but I always looked forward to the light evenings and school holidays so that I could be outside playing football.
Robin George with Johnny Cooper at Sutton Veny.
Moving to Warminster, I attended the New Close School for my last year at primary school. I was chosen to captain the school football team but struggled with my lessons. I moved on to senior school, attending the Avenue School, where once again sport was my number one interest; a point that was mentioned in my school reports many times. I was picked for the school football team when I was twelve and was made captain in my final two years. I also enjoyed playing cricket and was selected for the team and was captain in my last year. I also became a member of the school athletics team, so you can see why my schoolwork suffered. Maths was my strongest subject but other than that I had many detentions for not completing my schoolwork.
I was invited to train with Westbury Football Club when I was fourteen and was then given the chance to sign with Southampton F.C. I would travel from Warminster to the south coast city to play for them on Saturdays and then train on Sundays with the youth team, travelling back home on a Sunday evening.
I received a serious injury that meant I could not play for six months; this sadly finished my time at Southampton. On getting back fitness, I was invited by Mr. Edwards to play for Westbury under 18s. I was picked up from home or given my bus fare.
The following season I was asked by Charlie Potter to play and captain Warminster Youth under 18s. We reached the County Cup final, losing 3-1 to Swindon Town.
Warminster Youth Under 18s, Wilts County Cup Final.
The following season I signed for Warminster. The Manager was Steve Walker, who had once played for Leeds United. It was a great experience at seventeen. However, a new Manager arrived at the club and things did not work out for me. I and several other Warminster players left to join Heytesbury F.C., where we won the League and Cup finals.
I re-signed for Warminster when Gerald Smith became Manager and was made captain. Again, the Committee interfered and Gerald resigned.
In 1963, I was contacted to sign on by John Henderson, who had played for Scotland and was now Manager of the Spencer Moulton team. I was given the Captain’s arm band and the team made a great season finishing third in the league. Unfortunately, my injury returned, and this stopped me being able to train. After being seen by two surgeons and having treatment I was advised to finish playing or have an operation. It was such a difficult decision for me to make, but after much thought I decided to retire and in hindsight it was the right decision, as after five years I recovered to full fitness. For two seasons I watched Manchester United home and away games, I then met my wife Sandra and family became my priority.
The Celtic Boys (Warminster) F.C. was founded in 1984, following a meeting between like-minded individuals who were keen to form a junior team in the area. It was agreed that the team would be for under 13s. Sponsorship was obtained from McCarthy Information and a pitch was secured at Woodcock Road. The club was accepted into the Mid Wilts Youth & Minor League. The following year the Club changed their name to Highbury Youth F.C. They would go on to prefix this with Warminster to become Warminster Highbury Youth F.C. in 1988.
A chat with Colin Bowden began my story with Highbury. Highbury Youth started an under 15s team in 1985 and I became their coach. Playing in the Mid-Wilts League we trained at Warminster School and played our games at Highbury. It was a new experience and a learning curve. Overall, the season was a success, finishing third and winning Highbury six-a-side tournament.
Highbury Youth Under 15s, 1985.
In season 1986/87 I became Manager of Highbury under 11s and brought in Pete McCue as my assistant. We played our home games at the Avenue School. I also joined the committee.
Highbury Youth Under 11s, 1987.
My wife Sandra became the key to my commitment to Highbury, as without her support I would not have been able to put as much time into the football.
Having two boys, Seth and Zeaus, I wanted to spend time with them, so with Seth joining the Cubs, I organised a team to play against other teams and helped with the Beavers when Zeaus joined them.
Cubs Football Team.
In 1986, I joined a group who started the Club’s annual six-a-side tournament. At that there were only two other clubs holding tournaments. We held the Highbury Tournament at Warminster Town Ground until 1991, then we used Highbury ground at Woodcock Road, which is still the venue. This became our main fundraising for Highbury. The tournament is held the last weekend of May and takes many willing helpers to organise. I became coordinator for the Sunday morning of the tournament. This role gave me great satisfaction, welcoming boys, girls and their families to Warminster Highbury Youth. The under 11s finished runners-up and went on to lose on penalties at the Shaw & Whitley six-a-side tournament.
The Captain, Jamie Pitman, went on to sign for Southampton. I decided to stay on for a new under 11s team with a mixture of year 10 and 11s finishing third in the league. I also helped Jerry Long start an under 10s age group, which meant I managed the under 11s on Saturdays and helped with the under 10s on Sunday so I could watch Zeaus play.
Highbury Youth Under 11s, 1988.
The following season Highbury had an outstanding squad of boys at under 11. During the 1988/89 season they won all twenty-two matches and comprehensively won the league. Pete and I were very proud as it was a great set of boys who had great team spirit. Nine of the squad were selected to represent Mid-Wilts. At this time, Jeff Randall asked me if I would coach the Mid-Wilts Schools’ team, which I did for two years.
1990/91 was my most challenging and exciting season. With Pete McCue assisting me, we decided to mix the under 11s and 12s and enter them in the under 13s league. We had outstanding players and some great football with tremendous team spirit. We finished third in the league and runners-up in the Mid-Wilts cup. The highlight was beating Chippenham as they were undefeated until that point. We received compliments from other managers on our achievements, playing six under 12s and seven under 13s.
At this point I met John Trollope, who was Youth Team Manager at Swindon. He invited me to scout for the club, spotting talent for myself when watching other teams. I believe Steve Perkins, who played for Highbury, was the best I have seen at his age. John was really impressed but unfortunately Steve had no support to travel to Swindon. I am sure he would have progressed to the highest level.
A signed authorisation from Mr. P. Day, Chief Executive
of Swindon Town Football Club. It reads:
“I hereby authorise that Mr. Robin George is a
Representative of Swindon Town Football Club,
and would benefit from any facilities
you would be able to offer to him.”
The group of boys (and parents) were a pleasure to manage, so I decided to go to under 14s. Playing up a year the boys found it more physical and the results were disappointing, although they still finished a credible third in the league.
Season 1991/92 I decided we had gone as far as myself and the boys could progress, so with Pete Russell as coach, I managed the under 10s. This was a challenge, but we progressed through the season and finished runners-up in the Mid-Wilts Cup Final. I carried on the following season, but the team was inconsistent, finishing mid-way in the league.
Highbury Youth Under 10s, 1992.
Also in 1991/92, Highbury United was formed and managed by Pete Head. I was then involved with helping the coaching, giving boys who could not get into the Highbury F.C. a chance to play football.
In 1993/94, with Bob Pitman, we started up Sunday mornings football for under 9s. Bob and I overseeing the coaches. We had boys and girls from age 6 to age 9 and of all abilities. We joined the Coca-Cola Football Club, where we were given footballs, cones, tubs and a Training and Skills Manual, with this we could test the boys and girls every month, so they had a chance to improve their skills and times.
We went on to form six-a-side teams and we entered tournaments throughout the summer. Steve Davis became a coach and took on the under 10s as their Sunday morning coaching had finished. Kevin Sparey and I joined Steve as coaches, and there was big rivalry between Highbury and Trowbridge Tigers. At the end of the season Trowbridge Tigers won the league with Highbury as runners-up. But Highbury had their revenge, winning the Mid-Wilts cup, beating Trowbridge Tigers. The game was a battle between Alex Lapham and Nathan Dyer; both being signed by Southampton.
A handwritten note from young Alex Lapham to Robin George.
It reads: “Dear Robin, Thank you for taking my football
training on Sundays. I enjoyed myself and learnt a lot.
See you soon. Alex Lapham.
Highbury had a very successful six-a-side team, winning every tournament they entered. Alex had an outstanding season leading the team, and goalkeeper William Puddy, who went on to sign for Bristol City.
Highbury Youth Under 9s, winners of 6-a-side tournaments.
At the end of every season Highbury held its presentation evening when all managers, coaches and age groups came together. Three main awards were presented to each team. Sunday morning boys’ teams and girls’ teams players each received a medal During the late 80s and early 90s, local footballer Rob Newman – who played for Bristol City and Norwich – would attend and present the awards.
Former Bristol City and Norwich player Rob Newman,
and Zeaus George.
In 2013 the club introduced the President’s Shield. This award was for outstanding service to the club.
During the 1998/99 season I had an operation to replace my aorta valve which meant I had to take a break for three months to regain my fitness.
Highbury Youth Under 10s, 1998, Mid-Wilts Cup winners.
During season 2000/01 I decided to give my time to coaching on Sunday mornings. I would help the new managers to understand what Warminster Highbury meant to the players and I believe it was a three-year learning curve before going to league football. I made lots of friends: Sean Bowden who I coached joined with his son James, other managers Steve Richardson, Rob McFerran, Doug Small and Nick Stephens. I helped Rob Nash with the under 6s, which my grandson Connor decided he would like to become a goalkeeper which gave me added interest.
Robin’s grandson, Connor George, keeping goal.
Having started as a coach and then manager, I joined the committee as Vice Chairman before becoming Chairman and then in 2005 I was given the honour of being named Honorary President of Highbury Youth.
I didn’t give up the managerial aspect though. In 2005 I assisted Nick Stephens in running the under 9s and the following season I helped the new managers who got involved on Sunday mornings.
Highbury Youth Under 9s, 2010.
Now retired, I got involved in other aspects of the community. Staying with football and following a short conversation with Christine Chick, the Headmistress of Sutton Veny School, I ran weekly coaching sessions and arranged to play games against other schools. This brought back many memories of my own school days and my love of football.
Coaching Sutton Veny.
Another club I was involved with was the Gateway Club, which was for children with special needs. I took them to Highbury to play their games and it was very rewarding to see them enjoying playing football.
Outside of the game of football, I decided to volunteer to help the Link Service, which was taking people who had no transport to hospital appointments, doctors, etc. I also volunteered to help at Woodmead Care Home; this put everything in life in perspective.
In 2015 I was awarded the Wiltshire County Tie for recognition of my services to youth football. In 2016 Highbury joined up with Warminster Town to promote youth football. The under 15s would leave Highbury and become Warminster under 16s with the prospect of going on to play for the first team.
In 2018 I was invited to become President of Warminster F.C. This brought the clubs closer together.
The President’s Shield.
Over my years with Highbury I look back with pride and many fond memories. I was honoured to coach many talented boys and had many successful teams, winning league cups and tournaments.
I managed and coached many boys and girls, allowing them to enjoy the game and be part of a team. We believe that honesty and respect are the most important of values. Many of the boys made life-long friendships, and it is great for me to meet up with them and hear all about the paths they have chosen in their lives. Who knows what the future will bring? But as God allows, I will always be part of Highbury Youth.
A table of football trophies.
In 2012 we had a speaker at the Clark’s Club (a social club for former members of staff of Clarks/Strode Components), who talked about sending gifts to Africa. After the talk I spoke to him regarding donating football kits. He gave me the details to contact John Wiltshire who was the coordinator. I began collecting all the kit at the end of the season. This started a real passion for me and each year the kits were taken to African countries. The pleasure I got when I received photos of the boys and girls in Somalia and Rwanda wearing the Highbury kit was second to none. I was lucky enough to meet up with a footballer from Somalia who gave me a real insight to what the kit and the footballs meant to the boys and girls who did not have a full kit to wear or footballs to play with. My only regret is that I did not get the chance to go to Africa and see the boys and girls for myself.
Highbury football kits being worn in Africa.
Finally, to be a successful manager you need support and I was lucky to have Mike Doherty, Basil Guy, Alan Wain and Rich Meaden, who all helped as groundsmen, clearing and tidying the dressing rooms, putting up and taking down the nets, acting as linesmen; and also parents who would wash the kit. Without these volunteers giving their time, there would be no Highbury Youth today.
My two granddaughters, Eva and Sophie, have inherited the football bug. They are both Manchester United supporters. Eva plays for Portchester and Sophie plays for Fareham; this makes me very proud. I try to pass on my knowledge and help them with their skills. Unfortunately, they live too far away for me to watch them them play regularly, but hopefully one day soon I will be able to watch them again.
Sophie George at St. George’s Park with the ESF Grand Finale Trophy.
Eva George playing for Portchester Youth.
Robin George. Moortown Avenue, Summer 2020.