Full name George Haigh Height Centre-back Years Team | Place of birth Reddish, England 1936–1938 Stockport County | |
Date of birth (1915-06-26) 26 June 1915 (age 101) | ||
George Haigh (born 26 June 1915) is an English former professional footballer, mainly known for his association with Stockport County. At the age of 101, he is the oldest surviving former County player, and it is believed he is also the oldest surviving former professional footballer.
Career
Haigh's career started at Manchester City, as a junior. He played in the reserves alongside Frank Swift, but when Swift was promoted to the senior side, Haigh stayed where he was. In 1936, He joined Stockport County, where he played at all levels for County, from the A team right up to the first team. Haigh had the misfortune to score an own goal on his debut for County, and made a second league appearance before the outbreak of the Second World War.
In 1940, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force, serving as a physical training instructor and was stationed at RAF Morecambe and RAF Wilmslow, where he trained new recruits and parachutists. He reached the rank of flight sergeant before being commissioned an acting pilot officer (on probation) on 20 June 1941, and was regraded as a pilot officer (on probation) on 20 August. Whilst at Morecambe, he played for the services team, and in 1942, joined Rochdale. Rochdale often played Blackpool, and Haigh was usually tasked to mark Stanley Matthews. During wartime, he also made guest appearances for Walsall and Burnley. On 20 June 1942, Haigh was confirmed in the rank of pilot officer, and was promoted to flying officer (war-substantive) on 20 August. He was promoted to flight lieutenant (war-substantive) on 11 September 1944, and was mentioned in despatches in 1945, ending his service with the rank of squadron leader.
In 1945, he was offered the player-manager position at Arbroath, but Haigh decided to join Lancaster City as they had offered him a trade as a metal spinner, as well as the captaincy of the team. Haigh was discharged as a sergeant in 1946, and later managed Rossendale United.
In 1998, County's club historians got back in touch with Haigh (and even then he was considered one of the oldest surviving former professional footballers). Since then, he has maintained regular contact with the club, appearing as a guest of honour in 2008, and in 2010, was one of the first recipients of a Stockport County Appearance Number certificate. He has continued to watch County home and away.