Male's name will be linked forever to that of Eddie Hapgood, his
full- back partner at Highbury and another man to skipper the Gunners
and England. Like so many famous sporting pairs, they offered a sharp
contrast both in character and in the way they went about their
business. Where Male was unassuming and calm, favouring a simple,
solid, archetypally hard but fair style of play, the more ambitious
Hapgood was a volatile extrovert, all elegant poise and smooth
technique. They complemented each other ideally. George Male was
born in West Ham and represented the Hammers at schoolboy level before
taking a job in insurance and playing his football for a local amateur
team, Clapton of the Isthmian League. However, his potential was
spotted by Arsenal and he signed amateur forms for the north Londoners
in November 1929, turning professional six months later.
His progress was rapid and in December 1930 he made his senior
debut, at left half, in a swingeing 7-1 home victory over Blackpool.
That season was to end with the Gunners winning the League
Championship for the first time in their history, and although Male
made insufficient appearances to qualify for a medal, he was soon to
make up for it with a vengeance. First, though, would come
disappointment when an injury-induced team reshuffle secured him a
place at Wembley for the 1932 FA Cup Final, only for Newcastle United
to triumph thanks to a famously controversial goal.
Next came a crucial crossroads in the Male career. Hitherto the
solidly- built Eastender had been a competent but hardly outstanding
wing-half, a fact recognised by his manger, the inspirational but
often intimidating Herbert Chapman. At the outset of the 1932/33
campaign, Arsenal had a problem at right back and the great man
summoned Male to his presence, announcing portentously: "George, you
are going to be a right-back". Then, without awaiting a reply, he
proceeded to work on the modest 22-year-old's self-esteem. Many
years later Male recalled: "By the time I got out of that room, I
wasn't merely convinced that I was a full-blown right-back, I knew
without doubt that I was the best right-back in the country!" It was a
typical example of Chapman's mesmeric power over his players,
illustrating a key constituent in the benevolently despotic
personality of one of the most successful soccer bosses the game has
known. In this case, Chapman's wisdom in decreeing a change of
position was evident immediately. Male settled into his new role as if
born to it and within a few months had been called up for an
international trial.
Come 1933/34, arguably the finest English club side of the first
half of the 20th century was approaching its prime. That term Male
didn't miss a match as Arsenal, employing the then-innovative
"stopper" defensive method and with bounteously gifted forwards such
as Alex James and Cliff Bastin a joy to behold, won the first of three
successive titles. In 1936, they lifted the FA Cup, with Male
performing majestically in the 1-0 final victory over Sheffield
United, and two years later took yet another championship. On
the international front, Male had received his first cap in 1934, one
of seven Gunners involved in the so-called "Battle of Highbury", in
which England defeated the World Cup holders Italy by three goals to
two. The match was for the unofficial championship of the world
because, at that time, England didn't deign to enter the tournament,
instead allowing the foreigners to fight it out amongst themselves
before challenging the winners. In the event it was a brutally
physical affair and a supremely trying baptism for Male, but one from
which he emerged with credit for his characteristic coolness under
extreme provocation.
Thereafter he played a further 18 times for his country, including
a spell as captain towards the end of the decade, and but for the
Second World War, which began when Male was 29 and at his peak, it is
likely that his caps total would have been considerably higher.
After the conflict, during which he served with the RAF in Palestine,
Male returned to first-team duty and although he managed only
intermittent outings, having reached a grand old age in footballing
terms, his eight games in 1947/48 made him the first man to figure in
six title-winning campaigns. When he finished, in a 8-0 trouncing of
Grimsby Town that May, he had represented the Gunners in 314 senior
matches (without scoring a goal), in addition to 181 games for the
club in wartime competition.
Reaching the end of his playing career did not signal Male's
departure from Highbury, however. He became a coach, guiding first the
juniors and then the reserves, a firm but kindly and avuncular figure
who rejoiced in the affection of his young charges. After that he
earned further respect as a shrewd talent-spotter - the 1970s star
Charlie George was his best- known discovery - and he went on to serve
Arsenal in various administrative roles. He retired in 1975, living in
Yorkshire, then joining his son in Canada. The last of Chapman's
magnificent side to stop playing, and the last to die, George Male was
never the most feted of Gunners, but he was one of the worthiest.
- The Independent Obituary
England
Football Online
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