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Players Index Page Last Updated
12 August 2025
 
 

George Webb

West Ham United FC

 2 appearances, 1 debut goal

P 2 W 1 D 1 L 0 F 4: A 1
75% successful
1911

captain: none
minutes played: 180

Timeline
  George William Webb
Birth Wednesday, 18 July 1888 at 16 Broomfield Street, Poplar, Middlesex
  registered in Poplar July-September 1888
Baptism Wednesday, 3 October 1888 at St. Gabriel's Church, Crisp Street, South Bromley
Education Attended Park House School, West Ham, and Shaftesbury Road School, East Ham.
 

According to the 1891 census, George William is the oldest of two children, the other being Florence Isabella, to William and Mary Frances (née Lounton), living at 7 Crews Street in Poplar. His father is a stevedore, and he lives with two of his aunties.
Shortly after this, his father died, and his mother remarried, to George James Hone.
 

According to the 1901 census, George W. has three more siblings, Arthur, Mary and Elizabeth. Evidently, one of his aunties has now become his older adopted sister, Margaret. His father remains a stevedore, and they all live at 7 Claude Street with the Taphouse family.
 

According to the 1911 census, George William is a stevedore at Millwall docks, he has five more younger sisters, Emma, Alice, Elsie, Louisa and Violet. They all live at 7 Brewhouse Lane in Greenwich. The return confirms George is one of twelve children, two have tragically died.
Marriage to Ellen Elizabeth (Nellie) Holden, on 31 July 1913 at St. John's Church in Stratford, Essex.
  registered in West Ham July-September 1913
"PLAYER'S RETIREMENT
"G.W. WEBB'S FOOTBALL CAREER ENDS IN MARRIAGE
"Yesterday, at Stratford Church, George Webb, the international amateur footballer, was married to Miss Nellie Holden, the daughter of James Holden, a director of the West Ham United Club. It was a footballer's wedding, for among the 200 guests were many who are associated with the game. The happy event, however,, marks the close of George Webb's career as a player, for he has decided never again to take part in football. It will be recalled that he came to the front with West Ham United, and that he played centre-forward for England against Scotland in 1911 at Goodison Park, Liverpool. Last season Webb threw in his lot with Manchester City, but he figured in only two games for them, being injured in the encounter with Manchester United. In spite of all the discussion that has passed since he became identified with the First League club, it is pleasing to record that he is perfectly friendly, both with West Ham United and Manchester City. Evidence of this is furnished by the fact that the West Ham directors have personally given him wedding presents, while the Southern League club, as such, has presented a handsome canteen of cutlery to their old player. The other day, too, there arrived from Eadie, the Manchester City captain, a neat present in the shape of silver serviette rings. The bridesmaids at the ceremony were George Webb's stepsister, Miss Hone, and Miss Spittle, the daughter of the Mayor of West Ham. A reception afterwards took place at the Stratford Town Hall. The honeymoon will be spent in Llandudno." - The Daily News and Leader, Friday, 1 August 1913
Death Sunday morning, 28 March 1915 at the home of his father-in-law at 173 Romford Road, Stratford, Essex. Died of phthisis (tuberculosis), he had been ill for several weeks.
aged 26 years 253 days registered in West Ham January-March 1915
Obituary
"DEATH OF MR. G. W. WEBB.—A NATIVE OF POPLAR
 "George W. Webb, the ex-West Ham footballer, died on Sunday morning at the residence of his father-in-law, Mr. [James] Holden, Romford-road, West Ham. Although only 27 years of age, Webb retired from the game nearly two seasons ago, and except to those who have known that he has been ill for two or three months, his death will be a great surprise. He died from consumption. Though Webb's association with West Ham was unhappily broken—he was transferred to Manchester City, but played only one or two games for the First League club—he played practically all his football in London. Born in Poplar, his earliest connection with the game was with the Shaftesbury-road School, East Ham, team. On leaving school he joined Ilford Alliance, whose centre-forward at that time was Harry Stapley, afterwards, like Webb a little later, to become leader of the West Ham attack. Wanstead was another junior club Webb assisted before going to Upton Park. Altogether he was about five seasons with the Southern League team, and after taking part in several amateur international matches, he was twice picked to play for England. His first representative game was against Wales in 1911; then he was chosen for the Scottish match. Fine player as Webb was, this was too severe a test for him. The season of 1911 was Webb's great triumph. During this time he developed from a good amateur into a first-class performer, and he was always ready to admit that his advance was largely due to the help he received from Shea, who was then his inside-right partner, Webb's step-father, Mr. George Hone, was a vice-president of the West Ham Club, and Mr. Holden, whose daughter he married less than two years ago, is a director." - The News and Chronicle, Tuesday, 30 March 1915.
Funeral
Saturday, 3 April 1915
West Ham Cemetery, Newham
"George Webb was buried at West Ham Cemetery on Saturday afternoon,. The flag on the Boleyn Castle ground fluttered at half-mast, and the West Ham players in the game against Watford wore bands of black crape on their arms. The funeral was attended by members of the West Ham directorate, including Mr. White, chairman; Mr. Johnson, vice-chairman; and Messrs. Davis, Iggledon, Cearns, and Sutton. Wreaths were sent by all the directors, and by the West Ham Club, and Manchester City Club, with which he was connected for a short time." - Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Monday, 5 April 1915
"The funeral took place on Saturday last at West Ham Cemetery, from the residence of his father-in-law, Mr. James Holden, 173, Romford-road. Many magnificent wreaths were sent, a special car being set apart for the conveyance of the flowers. Among the floral gifts were tributes from the West Ham United and Manchester City football teams. The Rev. R. Vincent Smith (chaplain) conducted the funeral service." - The Mail and Echo, Friday, 9 April 1915.
Probate "WEBB George William of 173 Romford-road Stratford Essex died 28 March 1915 Administration London 7 June to Ellen Elizabeth Webb widow. Effects £279 15s." [2025 equivalent: £24,850].
Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &

Playing Career
Club(s) Played schoolboy football in Ilford, playing junior football with Ilford Alliance FC and Ilford FC. Joined Wanstead FC, during which time, he made occasional appearances for West Ham United FC, whom he signed amateur forms with in 1908-09. After 23 goals in 52 Southern League matches, Manchester City FC then signed Webb on 25 June 1912.
"It is generally known that Webb was signed on for Manchester City, but he wished to continue training on the West Ham ground. The officials of the club have refused permission, and so Webb finds himself forced to try the Millwall club." - Lloyd's Weekly News, Sunday, 18 August 1912
A friendly match between the City and United was played on 4 November 1912, guaranteed £75 proceeds for the Upton Park club. Although they claimed that they 'had never received a halfpenny for his transfer.' He retired on 28 July 1913.
League honours
2 appearances		 Manchester City FC 1912 two appearances
debut: 2 September 1912 Notts County FC 0 Manchester City FC 1.
last: 7 September 1912 Manchester United FC 0 Manchester City FC 1.
Club honours None
Individual honours Southern League (one appearance)
Distinctions None
Height/Weight 5' 9½", 11st. 10lbs [1911].
Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

England Career
Player number One of two who became 356th players (357) to appear for England.
Position(s) Centre-forward
First match No. 109, 13 March 1911, England 3 Wales 0, a British Championship match at The Den, Cold Blow Lane, New Cross, London, aged 22 years 238 days.
Last match
nineteen days		 No. 110, 1 April 1911, England 1 Scotland 1, a British Championship match at Goodison Park, Walton, Liverpool, aged 22 years 257 days.
Major tournaments British Championship 1910-11;
Team honours British Championship winners 1910-11;
Individual honours England Amateur (seven appearances, 7ᵍ April 1910-November 1911);
Distinctions None

Beyond England
No additional information. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.263.


The Numbers
parties Apps comp. apps minutes goals ave.min comp. goals captain
2 2 2 180 1 180 min 1 none
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 0 1 2 0.5 75 +1
Both of his matches were played in the British Championship competition and at a home venue

Opposition Record

Opposition P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Scotland 1 0 1 0 1 1 =0 0 0 1.00 1.00 50.0 =0
Wales 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 0 1 3.00 0.00 100.0 +1

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1910-11 2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 0 1 2.00 0.50 75.0 +1
BC All 2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 0 1 2.00 0.50 75.0 +1

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 0 1 2.00 0.50 75.0 +1
2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 0 1 2 0.5 75 +1

Match History
 Club: West Ham United F.C.- two full appearances (180 min) 1ᵍ F.A. International Select Committee - two full appearances (180 min)x

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 21 amateur  
one appearance - France April 1910;
 
Age 22    
two appearances - Wales February 1911; Belgium 4 March 1911;

1 109 13 March 1911 - England 3 Wales 0
The Den, New Cross		 BC HW  65 cf

one of two who became the 356th player (357) to appear for England
the first West Ham United FC player to represent England
the 63rd player to score on his England debut

2 110 1 April 1911 - England 1 Scotland 1
Goodison Park, Liverpool		 BC HD   cf
 

amateur  
two appearances - Germany & Netherlands 14 & 17 April 1911;
 
Age 23    
two appearances - Denmark October 1911; Ireland November 1911;

 

 
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