McLean, George

Birth Date

16th September 1937

Birthplace

Paisley, Renfrewshire

Occupation

Centre-Forward

Biographical Text

Originally with Cambuslang Rangers, and then Glasgow Rangers, George McLean had scored 41 league goals from 91 starts for Grimsby when he joined Exeter City in 1965 in a £4,000 transfer. Scoring a dozen times in 47 league games during  his time at St James’ Park he moved on to Workington and later Barrow.

His first professional club was Glasgow Rangers where he made 7 appearances and scored 3 goals. Then, in March 1962, he signed for Norwich City where he didn’t get a first-team game. Moving to Grimsby Town in September 1962, George found his groove as he appeared in 91 league matches for the Mariners and scored 41 goals.

He was transferred for £4,000 to Exeter City in June 1965 and, after making his debut against Oldham Athletic on 21 August 1965 started well by netting three times in his first four matches. Managing a total of twelve league goals during his time at St James' Park he eventually expressed a desire to leave and joined Workington in January 1967 where he scored 15 goals in 53 league starts.

McLean then signed for Barrow in June 1968 and in one season with the Holker Street club had 27 league outings scoring nine goals. Released on a free transfer, he then signed for Boston United before playing for Brigg Town and Cleethorpes Town.

After retiring from playing he lived in Cleethorpes and worked for Volvo at Immingham.

George died on 29 June 2019 aged 81.

Appearances

47

Goals

12

Creator

PF

Contributor

Dave Wherry

Files

Comments

Dave Wherry

George sadly died on 29 June 2019, aged 81, his obituary was reported on the Grimsby Telegraph website. 

Dave Wherry

After leaving Boston United he joined Brigg Town in Aug 1971 and spent 1972/73 playing for Cleethorpes Town.

MO_TxTruBlu

Of the 5 photos above, pictures 2 and 3 are of a different George McLean.

The George McLean who went on to play for Exeter, did actually make 7 appearances for Rangers, and scored 3 goals, before being sold to Norwich on March 22nd 1962.

The George McLean (who is in photos 2 and 3 above), actually joined Rangers (from St Mirren) in Jan 1963, as a Left Half, was converted into an Inside left, and would go on to score 83 Goals in 118 appearances for Rangers.                          He was part of the striking duo for Rangers (alongside Jim Forrest) who failed to score in Rangers worst result ever, as they lost 0-1 to Berwick Rangers in the Scottish Cup in 1967.

Both Forrest (145 Goals in 163 games), and George McLean who had scored an incredible 55 Goals in his last 55 games, never played for Rangers again!

Paul Farley

Thank you so much for the information, checked and changed.

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