George Lake (footballer)

George Andrew Lake (12 May 1889 – 6 November 1918) was an English professional footballer who made one appearance in the Football League for Chelsea as a left half.[5]

George Lake
Personal information
Full name George Andrew Lake[1]
Date of birth 12 May 1889[2]
Place of birth Eastham, England
Date of death November 6, 1918(1918-11-06) (aged 29)[3]
Place of death Sambre-Oise Canal, near Frasnoy, France[4]
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s) Left half
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1913 Manchester City 0 (0)
1913–1915 Chelsea 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Personal life

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In 1915, during the second year of the First World War, Lake enlisted as a private in the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Divisional Cyclist Company.[1] He was later transferred to the Hampshire Regiment (later the Royal Hampshire Regiment) for service overseas, eventually joining the 2nd/4th Battalion of the regiment.[1] Lake died of wounds on 6 November 1918, five days before the armistice with Germany, two days after his battalion's attempt to cross the Sambre–Oise Canal near Frasnoy, France.[1] He was buried in Frasnoy Communal Cemetery.[4] Lake was one of the two last English footballers to die in the war, dying on the same day as Edward Thompson.[3] His great-nephew, Paul, would also become a footballer.[3]

Career statistics

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chelsea 1913–14[1] First Division 1 0 0 0 1 0
Career total 1 0 0 0 1 0

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "George Lake – Chelsea FC and the First World War". Football and the First World War. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Chelsea FC Player Profile: George Lake". Stamford-Bridge.com. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Brennan, Stuart (17 November 2014). "Man City legend Lake stunned to discover First World War link". Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Casualty Details". Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
  5. ^ Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 167. ISBN 978-1905891610.