Leicester City In 100 Players: George Carr

Playing in two positions, Carr was a key player for City in those halcyon days. He was born in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, into a footballing family. He was one of five brothers who all played for Middlesbrough. Walter and Harry were amateurs while Will, Jack (who also won two caps for England) and George were professionals, making well over 500 appearances between them for the Wearside club.

After a wartime spell at Bradford Park Avenue, George signed for Middlesbrough in November 1919, before joining Peter Hodge’s Second Division side Leicester City in February 1924. Playing at inside-left, he scored on his Filbert Street debut against Coventry City and was an ever-present for the rest of that season.

The following year, Leicester were Second Division champions. Johnny Duncan, Arthur Chandler and Carr between them bagged 74 league goals of the 90 scored that season. George’s goal against Bradford City in the penultimate match secured promotion.

Four months later, playing against Leeds United at Filbert Street, he suffered a badly broken leg, the sight of which caused some fans to faint. He missed the rest of the season, with the Club signing Arthur Lochhead to replace him.

When he returned to the side in the following campaign, he scored a hat-trick against Leeds United but it was only after re-inventing himself as a centre-half in October 1928 that he became a regular first choice again. For the next two seasons, his performances (sometimes as acting captain) played a vital role in helping the Club achieve third place in the First Division in 1928 and the runners-up spot in 1929.

The following season, after losing his place to Norman Watson in February 1930, he was placed on the open transfer list at his own request.

Having played a role of central importance in helping Leicester City become one of the top teams in England, George finally left Filbert Street in August 1932 for Stockport County before going on to manage Nuneaton Town and Cheltenham Town.  

In later years, he played a part in establishing Middlesbrough Swifts as a nursery club for Leicester City, which resulted in bringing the future England star Don Revie to Filbert Street. He also acted as the North East scout when his old teammate Duncan became City’s manager in the late 1940s.