George Dalton

George Dalton (born 4 September 1941) is an English former professional footballer who played as a left half or left back in the Football League for Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion.[1]

George Dalton
Personal information
Full name George Dalton[1]
Date of birth (1941-09-04) 4 September 1941[1]
Place of birth Dilston, Northumberland, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s) Left half, left back
Youth career
19??–1958 Newcastle United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1958–1967 Newcastle United 85 (2)
1967–1968 Brighton & Hove Albion 24 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Life and career

Dalton was born in 1941 in Dilston, Northumberland.[3][4] He began his football career with Newcastle United as a youngster, and turned professional in 1958. Playing at left half, he made his first-team debut in the League Cup against Colchester United in October 1960 and his first appearance in the First Division the following February. He established himself as a regular in consideration for a first-team place – but not a regular selection – over the next couple of years,[3] until he was a surprise choice at left back for the Second Division visit to Swansea Town in March 1963,[5] had an "outstanding" match,[6] and retained the position thereafter.[3] In early 1964, he was touted for selection for the England under-23 side, but was not included.[7] On 30 March, in a match against Leeds United, his 40th appearance of the season, Dalton's leg was badly broken.[8] He played once more for Newcastle's first team, some two-and-a-half years later,[3] but, as the Evening Chronicle wrote, his "bright career was tragically dimmed" when he broke his leg, and he was released on a free transfer in May 1967.[9]

He signed for Brighton & Hove Albion, established himself in their first team, and made 28 appearances in 1967–68, of which 24 were in the Third Division, before re-breaking the leg in January 1968. He retired from senior football forthwith, but remained with Brighton, studying physiotherapy and coaching the juniors.[2] When Brighton manager Freddie Goodwin took over at Birmingham City in 1970, Willie Bell and Dalton accompanied him as coach and trainer respectively.[2] The Birmingham club were later fined for making an illegal approach to and then employing Bell without his contracted club's permission, but a similar complaint regarding Dalton was dismissed because he was available on a free transfer.[2][10] Dalton was at Birmingham until early 1976, when he joined Coventry City as physiotherapist. He remained with that club for two decades in various capacities, and was the physio of the team that won the 1986–87 FA Cup.[4][11]

References
  1. "George Dalton". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  2. Carder, Tim; Harris, Roger (1997). Albion A–Z: A Who's Who of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Hove: Goldstone Books. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-9521337-1-1.
  3. "Player details: George Dalton". Toon1892. Kenneth H. Scott. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  4. "Members News: By George! Happy 77th Birthday To ex CCFC Physio George Dalton". Coventry City Former Players Association. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  5. Maddison, Roy (16 March 1963). "Dalton left-back for Newcastle". Evening Chronicle. Newcastle. p. 12. Earlier Mr. Harvey had sprung a surprise by replacing Colin Clish at left-back with wing-half George Dalton and had left the selection of his attack until he had seen the pitch.
  6. Maddison, Roy (28 March 1963). "Keith may miss Luton game – 3 others hurt". Evening Chronicle. Newcastle. p. 16.
  7. Jones, Ken (5 February 1964). "Ramsey snubs locals: 'My job is to build up our World Cup side'". Daily Mirror. London. p. 22. Despite local claims for left back George Dalton and inside forward idol Alan Suddick; neither has been chosen by the England team manager, and clearly they have no place in his ideas at present.
  8. "George Dalton breaks leg". The Journal. Newcastle. 31 March 1964. p. 12. Leeds United 2, Newcastle United 1. This is the tale of a noble resistance by a Newcastle side who had Alan Suddick crippled in the 17th minute and lost George Dalton with a broken right leg (just above the ankle) with 14 minutes to go.
  9. Gibson, John (17 May 1967). "Toon let Dalton go for nothing". Evening Chronicle. Newcastle. p. 18. George Dalton, Newcastle United's left-back whose bright career was tragically dimmed when he broke a leg three years ago, has been given a free transfer.
  10. "Birmingham fined £5,000". Liverpool Echo. 14 November 1970. p. 24.
  11. Fissler, Neil (23 January 2014). "Where Are They Now? Coventry City 1986–87 FA Cup Winners". The League Paper. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
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