Preston 1888

Lancastrian George Clay was signed as a professional in 1912 but, after appearing in pre-season practice games, little was seen of him and a review of the season later described him as a "passenger". He certainly did not play for the first-team in the Southern League and appears to have had little involvement with the reserve team.

George joined City from South Liverpool of the Lancashire Combination and was another of the many players put in Exeter's direction by manager Arthur Chadwick's contacts in the North West. A Prestonian, he had started out with St Michael's School followed by Lostock Hall in the Preston and District League and Hindley Central in the Lancashire Combination. Enjoying a spell with Preston North End as an amateur, he subsequently moved to South Liverpool where he switched from inside-right to outside-right.

Now aged twenty-three, his start at Exeter was problematic when - with City undergoing FA investigation - he was obliged to remain with South Liverppol for a while. Back at St James' Park he played in the practice matches on 17 and 24 August 1912 but then next to nothing was heard of him prompting the dismissive mention of him when the season was reviewed in print ahead of the next campaign.