Although he was only 27 when he arrived at The Dell in 1907, George Smith had already made 91 appearances in the Football League – with Preston, Villa and Blackburn, in turn – and 57 in the Southern League, with New Brompton and Plymouth.

A direct player, not given to over-elaboration, George had a powerful shot.

An inside-forward by choice, he turned out in no fewer than four positions in a fairly promising first season. That season would prove, however, to be his last: playing cricket in the 1908 close season, he caught a chill. It turned to pneumonia, of which he died within nine days while at his home in Alexandra Rd, aged only 28. He had only married a few weeks beforehand and a memorial service was held at the Freemantle Congregational Church which was attended by all his playing colleagues including Fred Harrison and Fred Hayter who were now on Fulham’s books. In his obituary he was described as “gentlemanly and unassuming”.