George Male

Infobox Football biography
playername = George Male


fullname = Charles George Male
dateofbirth = birth date|1910|5|8|mf=y
cityofbirth = West Ham, London
countryofbirth = England
dateofdeath = death date and age|1998|2|19|1910|5|8
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
height =
nickname =
position = Right back, left half
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1929-48
clubs = Arsenal
caps(goals) = 285 (0)
nationalyears = 1934-39
nationalteam = England
nationalcaps(goals) = 019 (0)

Charles George Male (May 8, 1910 – February 19, 1998) was an English footballer.

Born in West Ham, London, Male trialled with West Ham United before playing with non-league Clapton. He joined Arsenal as an amateur in November 1929, turning professional in May 1930 and made his debut in a 7-1 victory over Blackpool on December 27, 1930. Initially a left-winger or left-half, usually deputising for Bob John. Male's appearances were few and far between - three in 1930-31 (in which Arsenal won the First Division for the first time in their history) and nine in 1931-32, although he was a surprise choice at left half in the 1932 FA Cup final after Alex James was withdrawn because of injury and the side reshuffled as a result. Arsenal controversially lost 2-1 to Newcastle United, after Newcastle's equaliser had come after the ball had already gone behind for a goal kick.

In 1932, with Arsenal's current right back Tom Parker ageing and his replacement, Leslie Compton, not looking entirely assured, Male was converted from left half to right back by Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman; Male would later recount how, before being told of the switch by Chapman, he entered his office fearing for his future at the club, but Chapman convinced him not only could he play at right back, but that he was the best right back in the country.

Bolstered by Chapman's pep talk, Male slotted into the right back role easily, and he became a near ever-present for the next seven seasons; he was undisputed first-choice right back and played over 35 matches for every season in that period. During that time, Arsenal won the First Division four more times (1932-33, 1933-34, 1934-35 and 1937-38), as well as the FA Cup in 1935-36.

Male's performances for club soon meant he was an international; he made his debut for England against Scotland on November 14, 1934, and went on to win nineteen caps for his country, captaining the team for six of them.

By the end of the 1930s, Male was Arsenal captain, although injuries restricted his appearances in 1938-39. However, World War II intervened when Male was 29 and at the peak of his career; he played nearly 200 wartime matches for Arsenal, as well as serving in the Royal Air Force in Palestine. Upon the resumption of League football Male was 36, but still played 15 times in Arsenal's 1947-48 First Division-winning season, and thus became the first player in League history to play in six title-winning seasons. His last match for Arsenal was an 8-0 victory over Grimsby Town in May 1948. In all he played 318 matches for the Gunners, though he never scored a goal.

After retiring from playing, Male became a coach at Arsenal, training the youth and reserve teams, and was later a scout (discovering, amongst others, Charlie George). He was still at the club to see it win its first Double in 1970-71, before retiring finally in 1975; he later emigrated to Canada to live with his son. The last surviving player of the Chapman era, he died in 1998 at the age of 87.

References

*cite book
author=Harris, Jeff & Hogg, Tony (ed.)
title=Arsenal Who's Who
publisher=Independent UK Sports
year=1995
id=ISBN 1-899429-03-4