Biography
George Thomas “Tot” Hedley was born in Medomsley in the North County Durham coalfields and started his football career at West Stanley United. In April 1905 the right back joined Division One side Middlesbrough and made three starts for the Teesside club in November and December 1905. In January 1906 he was granted a free transfer and joined Scottish Division One club Heart of Midlothian where he made three first team starts before joining Hull City in March 1906. Hedley started the last 11 matches of City’s inaugural League season and scored his first goal in a March 1906 victory over Bradford City.
Hedley started every League and Cup game in the 1906/07 season and contributed his second and final City goal in a March 1907 draw against Leicester Fosse. George’s consistency extended into the 1907/08 season when he missed only four fixtures prior to his transfer to Leicester Fosse on the final day of March 1908.
At Leicester Tot started three games at the end of the 1907/08 season, then added 35 starts in the 1908/09 season and scored his final career goal when he netted a penalty in a March 1909 4-2 victory over Aston Villa. On the final day of the season the already relegated Leicester Fosse lost 0-12 to Nottingham Forest, a result that secured Forest’s survival in Division One. An FA investigation discovered that there was no foul play behind that result, the Leicester players had simply been on the lash after the a team member’s wedding two days before the fixture. Relegation meant Hedley left Leicester in the 1909 close season and he joined Southern League side Luton Town. After leaving Kenilworth Road in February 1910 amid the club’s financial difficulties, Hedley spent two seasons at Hartlepools United before closing his career at Jarrow Caledonians. Although no longer a full-time footballer, Hedley reappeared in 1924 when, in his early forties, he briefly joined the squad of Bridlington Town. Living in Hartlepool since 1911, Hedley died in June 1937 after a long illness at 54 years of age.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 24 June 1882, Medomsley
Hull City First Game: 14 March 1906, Blackpool A (Division Two), 23 years, 263 days old
Hull City Final Game: 28 March 1908, Stoke A (Division Two), 25 years, 278 days old
Clubs
West Stanley United, Middlesbrough (1905-1906), Heart of Midlothian (1906), Hull City (1906-1908), Leicester Fosse (1908-1909), Luton Town (1909-1910), Hartlepool United (1910-1912), Jarrow Caledonians (1912-1913)
Hull City Record
Career: 84 apps, 2 goals
George Hedley| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1905/06 | 11 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1906/07 | 38 | 1 | 3 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1907/08 | 29 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |