29th August 1930

Troon, Ayrshire

Goalkeeper

Having earlier won a Scottish Cup winners’ medal with Celtic, goalkeeper George Hunter played for Exeter City between 1955 and 1960. He joined the club from Derby County and later played for Yiewsley, Darlington and Lincoln City. Regarded highly by those who saw him, his time at St James’ Park was hampered by injury. 

He began his playing career with Glasgow Celtic and gained a Scottish Cup winners medal at the age of 19 as he was part of the Celtic team that won the 1951 Scottish Cup Final. He moved to Derby County in June 1954 and went on to play in 19 league matches for them.

He moved to Exeter City in August 1955, he went straight into the first team to make his debut against Colchester United the same month. He only missed three matches in his first season at St. James’ Park. Wolverhampton Wanders made an initial offer of £5,000 for the keeper in August 1956, and despite increasing their bid, it didn’t meet Exeter City’s £10,000 valuation of the player. He asked to go on the transfer list in September 1957 and Bristol Rovers also expressed an interest in signing the keeper two months later. Unfortunately he sustained a broken leg in 3-4 home defeat against Port vale in March 1959, and that was to be his last appearance in a City shirt.

He was subsequently released at the end of 1959-60 and signed for Southern League team Yiewsley F.C. in July 1960 despite interest shown by Bristol Rovers. He returned to the Football League though, when signing for Darlington in June 1961 and played in 20 matches for them in his one season stay. After his one-season stint at Darlington, George moved to Burton Albion. He played one further league game for Lincoln City in 1965-66, before joining Matlock Town in July 1966. He returned to live in Derby and worked in a local factory.

George Hunter died in Nottingham on the 5th October 1990.