Members News: By George! Happy 77th Birthday To ex CCFC Physio George Dalton

George Dalton

CCFPA sends its Birthday best to former 1970s phsiotherapist George Dalton! George was born at Dilston, Newcastle upon Tyne on the 4th September 1941 and will therefore be celebrating his 77th birthday today!

George’s playing career began at home-town club Newcastle United in the 1950s initially as junior then turning professional in Nov. 1958. Described as a ‘calm, thoughtful footballer” George stayed at St James’ Park for nearly a decade but badly fractured his leg in 1964 in a collision with Leeds United’s Johnny Giles putting paid to a possible international career. The full back made 85 league appearances for the Geordies scoring twice before transferring to Brighton & Hove Albion on a free in June 1967. With the Seagulls he made another 24 appearances before hanging up his boots aged 29 and taking up the position of coach at the Sky Blues’ neighbours Birmingham City in 1971.

George at CCFC in 1987

He stayed at St Andrews for almost five years before coming to Highfield Road as our physio in February 1976, taking over from Norman Pilgrim (also a CCFPA member), long term physio since the Jimmy Hill era a decade earlier.  CCFPA member Gordon Milne was in charge of the Sky Blues when George was appointed. George was a much loved face around Highfield Road giving coaching and medical support to players for the best part of two decades. He was with CCFC at the time of their wonderful Wembley F.A.Cup win in 1987 and still connected with the Sky Blues in the late 1990s.

George joined CCFPA in 2010 and when we last heard still lived near Newcastle though he has not been able to visit us in recent years due to being in indifferent health. Nevertheless, we hope you are having a very Happy special day today George!