George Groves (footballer)

George Jasper Groves (19 October 1868 – 18 February 1941) was an English footballer who played as a defender, primarily for Sheffield United. He also played first-class cricket for Nottinghamshire.

George Groves
Personal information
Full name George Jasper Groves
Date of birth (1868-10-19)19 October 1868
Place of birth Nottingham, England
Date of death 18 February 1941(1941-02-18) (aged 72)
Place of death Newmarket, England
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1888 Heeley
1888–1891 Sheffield Club
1889–1891 → Sheffield United (guest) 0 (0)
1891–1896 Sheffield United 12 (0)
1892–1896 → Woolwich Arsenal (guest)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Football career

Born in Nottingham Groves was an amateur player who played regularly in the Sheffield area from around 1888 when he represented Heeley.[1] He moved to Sheffield Club later the same year but almost immediately began guesting for nearby Sheffield United (as allowed by FA rules regarding amateurs).[1] After appearing regularly in friendly and exhibition fixtures he was signed on a permanent basis by United in March 1891 and remained with the club until the summer of 1896.[1]

Known as 'Mr. Groves' in match reports he was initially a regular for United and was usually named captain but less than a year after joining he moved to London and from then on would only make irregular appearances for the club.[1] He would also appear as a guest for Woolwich Arsenal during the same period but with the game becoming increasingly professional he drifted away from league football.[1]

Cricket career

Groves played in 17 first-class cricket matches for Nottinghamshire in 1899 and 1900, playing as a lower-middle-order right-handed batsman.[2]

Personal life

Groves was a journalist, covering numerous sports in particular cricket and horse racing.[1] Groves retired to Newmarket after his playing career was over, where he continued to write for the Sporting Chronicle until his death.[3] Groves was killed when the Chronicle's offices were hit by a German bomb while he was working on 18 February 1941.[3][4]

References
  1. Denis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 141. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
  2. "Player Profile: George Groves". www.cricketarchive.com. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  3. Garrett, John (2 August 2013). "Early Groves". Folklore and Fables. UTB - the Official Matchday Programme of Sheffield United FC 2013–14. Sheffield United F.C.: 14–15.
  4. "Casualty Details: Groves, George Jasper". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
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