The Kingborough Lions United Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of our dear Life Member George Arnott. Our deepest sympathies are extended to George’s children, and grandchildren..
Past KLUFC President & Life Member, Brian Dale, shared this history about George:
George arrived in Tasmania on the 9th June, 1951 and worked as a Jackeroo on a farm in the
Midlands. On a visit to Hobart, he saw in the paper there was soccer being played at South
Hobart so he wandered up and whilst sitting in the stand before the game wearing a tartan scarf & tie, George was approached by a chap named Jimmy Truesdale he asked him if he could play soccer, as the Scottish team were a player short, he said he could and this started his career by scoring twice to give the Scottish team a 3-2 win over the English team. It was an end of the season International competition.
The following year he arranged with his employer to work an extra hour a day so he could have Saturday morning off to play soccer in Hobart. George had to walk in the dark after work approx 3 miles to the railway siding, light a lamp in the box to stop the train going to Hobart where he finally arrived about 10.30 p.m. He would then play on Saturday before catching a train home on Sunday as far as Parattah and then walked 5 miles back to the farm. George did this for 2 years until his parents & sisters arrived in 1953, it was then he moved to Hobart where Caledonians found him employment.
George represented the State of Tasmania 14 times against all the other states as well as twice against visiting Chinese team, 1956 Olympic team, and also the team he supported in Scotland, Heart of Midlothian. He was also Captain of the State Team on six occasions. He transferred to Launceston with his employment in 1965 and was appointed Captain Coach of Northern Juventus.
George had played approx 700 club games, scored approx 500 goals including 63 in one season. When he finished playing he went on the Committee for many years ending in becoming President for the last 5 years before the Club merged with Kingborough where he was appointed Vice President for 2 years.
George was also on the Southern Tasmanian Soccer Association Committee for many years and also served on the State Body for 5 years.
George stated “If there is one thing I am proud of in that time, it was the opportunity to play the Beautiful game of soccer, and to play a leading part in the merger of Caledonians & Kingborough which has led to Kingborough Lions United.”
Additionally, Walter Pless has also penned this piece
George Arnott was a truly great contributor to Football in Tasmania. Kingborough Lions United FC is incredibly grateful. Image Courtesy of Walter Pless:
