9th November 1926

Stanley, Durham

Forward

After starting with Wolves, George Willis played for Brighton and Plymouth before signing for Exeter City in 1956. Playing around 25 league games for the Grecians, he later played for Taunton ahead of spending the rest of his life in the Exeter area. 

Working as a miner in County Durham on leaving school, George appeared in wartime football with Port Vale and Crewe Alexandra prior to joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 1945. From Wolves he moved on to Brighton & Hove Albion in February 1948 where he made his Football League debut as he went on to feature in 28 league matches for the Sussex club netting 13 goals. He then signed for Plymouth Argyle in May 1949 for whom he added a further 14 goals in 56 league starts.

After remaining at Home Park for nearly seven seasons, George made the move to Exeter City in March 1956 for a fee of £250 along with his Argyle team mate John Porteous. Earning £14 per week, he made his debut for the Grecians in a 3-1 home win over Northampton Town on 3 March 1956 when he scored the opening goal of the game. Appearing thirteen times during what was left of the season, he only played the same number of times during the whole of the following season because of a cartilage injury. 

Released by City in May 1957, Geoge joined Taunton Town and also spent three years with Falmouth Town whilst continuing to live in Exeter. Becoming a regular spectator at St James’ Park, he ran the bars at the university for many years ahead of his death in the city on 25 May 2011.

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