George Purcell was a significant performer for Exeter City during the Division 3 (South) days between the wars. Arriving from Swindon Town in 1926 he netted 51 times in 227 league games as well as scoring three times in the club’s run to the sixth-round of the FA Cup in 1931. He moved to Gillingham in 1932.    

After playing for Barnsley junior club Victory Working Men’s Club, George initially signed on amateur forms by Stockport County in 1922. Turning professional he netted four goals in 20 league appearances during a two-season stay ahead of moving to Swindon Town where he played 18 league matches scoring twice.

George's career took off when he joined Exeter City ahead of the 1926/27 season. Making his debut for the Grecians against Merthyr Town in August 1926, he was to only miss five league matches up until the end of the 1930/31 season when he played a prominent part in the club’s run to the quarter-final of the FA Cup. Scoring over fifty league goals for the Grecians - plus a dozen in the FA Cup (with him also being a member of the side that reached the 4th round in 1927/28) - his best league returns were 13 goals in 1927/28 and 12 in 1929/30.

His memorable twelve goals in the FA Cup came against Aberdare Athletic in 1926/27; Aberdare (2), Ilford (2) and Rotherham United in 1927/28; Barking, Torquay United and Leeds United in 1928/29; Northfleet United, Leeds United and in the Sunderland replay in 1930/31.  

George left St James' Park to sign for Gillingham in the 1932 close season and scored 18 goals in 47 league matches before finishing his career with Gainsborough Trinity and Frickley Colliery.