Ever heard of Liam George. Mabye? Well for those who haven’t heard of George he was Robbie Keanes' striking partner in the Summer of 98', when he scored the winning penalty against Germany for the Republic of Ireland under-18 team in the UEFA Championship final in Cyprus. He earned the nickname 'Little Hullit' among the Irish fans, due to the 'dreads' he sported at the time.
To say that George has worked hard in his short career is probably an understatement. Born on February 2nd 1979, Liam is a striker through and through who began his career with Luton Town from trainee in 97’. The young Luton born Irishman has been beset with injury problems ever since that glorious summer of 1998 when the future looked so bright. But with a broken leg, an ankle injury and serious knee problems, it cast a huge shadow over Liam’s career as a footballer. He made his league debut against Bristol City in September 1997, and started the 1998/1999 season as an established first choice. But he broke a leg at Wigan early on and the season was nearly over by the time he had recovered. He established himself in 1999/2000, playing mainly just behind the front two, where he has more freedom to run at defenders. At his best, he is a dazzling dribbler of the ball coupled with the vision to set up teammates.
He has had very little luck with finding a club who would provide him with a wage and future, as his injuries have always been in the forefront of the coaches thoughts when he has been on trials'. After turning down a new contract during the summer 01', Liam stayed at Kenilworth Road on a week-to-week contract. His contract was then paid up by mutual consent and he left Bedfordshire in the search for a new club. Since his injuries he has had trials with Clydebank, Cambridge, Colchester, Gillingham and Rushden and Diamonds to name but a few, but has failed to impress. It was ironic that on the same day Luton Town gained automatic promotion to the second division Liam George, their top scorer for their last two seasons, was making his debut as a sub for Stevenage Borough (Loan) in the Nationwide Conference League.
Liam has been offered a trial at Div I Sheffield United, after Kinnear released him, as he was on a pay per play contract. At 23 it is too early to say what will happen. Good Luck, you never know. Funny old game Football.
© Owen O'Reilly, Newcastle upon Tyne
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