Appearing fourteen times in the club’s 1963/64 promotion campaign George Ley played for Exeter City between 1963 and 1967. Although locally-born, he joined the club from Hitchin Town having been on the books of Arsenal. He left St James’ Park in an £8,000 move to Portsmouth where he appeared in 184 league games before playing for Brighton and Gillingham. After many years in the United States he died locally at the age of eighty in 2026.

Growing up in Exminster, George had been spotted by Arsenal as a youngster and spent time at Highbury after leaving school. Also turning out for  Hitchin Town during this time, the 17-year-old was soon back in Exeter for a trial at St James' Park in September 1963 and - once offered terms - promptly made his City debut in the left-wing position against Carlisle United at St James’ Park on 11 September 1963. Playing in a run of nine games out of ten up until the middle of October, and replaced initially by Peter Phoenix, George slipped out of contention and made just five more league appearances in what proved to be a promotion campaign. 

Playing spasmodically during the 1964/65 season, George appeared in fifteen league games (one goal) before converting to the left-back position in October 1965 and accumulating 31 league appearances in 1965/66.  

Swansea enquired about George’s availability in June 1966 and, after being a regular up until mid-November, he asked for a transfer at the start of 1967. Remaining at the club to eventually make 33 starts in the 1966/67 campaign, George was transferred to Portsmouth in May 1967 for a fee of £8,000. 

Enjoying five years at Fratton Park, George went on to score ten goals in 184 league outings for Pompey before joining Brighton and Hove Albion in September 1972 where he added a further 47 league appearances. After spending time playing for Dallas Tornado, he moved back to the Football League to have two years at Gillingham before turning out for St Patrick’s Athletic in Ireland.

Later having a second spell with Dallas Tornado, and also featuring for Wichita Wings, George became head youth coach at Luton Town before moving to Austin, Texas to work in turn with Austin Socadillos, River City Rangers and Crossfire Soccer Club.

George was inducted into the Pompey Hall of Fame in 2014 and was a guest of Exeter City at a former players event in 2019. He died in Tiverton at the age of eighty in April 2026 having returned to live in Devon eight years previously.

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A tribute from Gina, George's daughter, in April 2026 which picks up the story when he finished playing for Dallas Tornado in 1979:

"Dad became a co-owner, player and assistant coach in the new MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) in 1979 along with Roy Turner. He retired from football in 1983.  I was so heartbroken.

He played one final summer after that in 1983 with Oklahoma City Slickers as an assistant coach under coach late Brian Harvey (sweetheart!). After 1985 he coached many teams from youth college to league teams until 2018 when he said his final 'goodbye' to Austin, Texas.

Moved to Devon which involved some football and going to Exeter City games.

Started his Dementia before he left USA. At first little-by-little with some signs of illness around 2021 and, in 2024, it started to worsen. In Summer 2025 we had a whole best week together. We smiled, laughed and hung out twice-a-day to make the most of our precious time together.

This year 2026 in April, I jetted back fast and only spent one-and-a-half days with him.  It felt like a week again but was well worth it!

Thank you God for holding the time for us to meet again and said our goodbyes.

Dad, I will frame your jersey when I get home - You're the BEST!

See you later.

Your Soccer Bud, Gina (April 2026)"