George Albert Handley will forever share something special with Southampton Football Club, both of them entering this world the same day in November 1885.

As a youngster Handley played four times in the annual Sheffield versus London Schools match and, when he joined Saints in 1911, renewed his association with manager, George Swift whom he had first played under at Chesterfield, then in Division II.

He was an orthodox forward who depended on team mates to create openings yet his crosses from the left wing were invariably well-placed.

Although one of the club’s more successful imports for the underwhelming 1911-12 season, his leaving to become player manager of Goole Town coincided with the departure of George Swift. He had a second spell at Bradford and then Barrow before joining up in October and serving with the Royal Flying Corps. Having returned to Bradford for a third time at the war’s conclusion he then coached in Europe before coming home to make Wakefield his final club. By trade he was a turner and fitter but it is not known if he took up employment in that field upon retiring, although it appears he settled in Bradford.