George Woodhall

Who was George Woodhall?

George 'Spry' Woodhall was an English footballer, who played most of his career with West Bromwich Albion, helping them to reach three consecutive FA Cup finals, including winning the cup in 1888.

Woodhall was born in West Bromwich and, after playing for West Bromwich All Saints and Churchfield Foresters, joined West Bromwich Albion in May 1883. He was a member of the West Bromwich team that reached the 1886 and 1887 cup finals, going out 2–0 to Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa respectively.

In 1888, West Bromwich reached the final for the third consecutive year, when they met favourites, Preston North End at the Kennington Oval on 24 March 1888. Woodhall scored the winning goal with thirteen minutes remaining, when the West Bromwich forwards outjumped Preston's defence and Woodhall pounced on the rebound, turning sharply to steer the ball between the posts, thus enabling his team to claim the first of their five FA Cup victories.

Woodhall represented England twice, making his debut against Wales on 4 February 1888, when he scored the third goal in a 5–1 victory. Woodhall's goal was England's 100th international goal.