Fenwick: George

1910-1913 (Leeds City Player Details)

Outside Left

Born: Durham: 1892

Debut: v Leicester Fosse (h): 08-02-1913

Height & Weight: Unknown

Fenwick started with Shildon Athletic of the North-Eastern League and was signed by Herbert Chapman for Leeds City in January 1913. He quickly made his first team debut as the Outside Left deputy for the popular Fred Croot, who was unavailable for a few weeks after being injured on the 18th January 1913 in a 2-0 win over Bradford Park Avenue at Elland Road. Harold Bridgett was first tried as his replacement in a 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux the following weekend. The following weekend City, who had been eliminated from the F.A. Cup Third Round by Burnley as a result of a 2-3 loss at Elland Road, had a free weekend due to their early exit from the F.A. Cup, and Herbert Chapman had arranged a friendly with his former club, Northampton Town, at Elland Road on 1st February 1913. This gave the new man the chance to make his Leeds debut in that Friendly. It also gave the Leeds fans a chance to view the Cobblers' legendary midget, Fanny Walden, who was later to guest for City in the whole of the 1915-16 season, and as luck would have it Fenwick was marked by Fred Clipstone, who would also guest for City in the same season. However, it was Fenwick that stole the honours, scoring twice in a solid victory. As the new outside-left, made his first appearance with the City. The home team scored after five minutes play. Jim Speirs beating the Cobbler's keeper Tommy Thorpe, after Billy McLeod had paved the way with a neat dribble. Fenwick played a very neat game, and after Daniel Tull had been at fault following Speirs' shot, the newcomer beat Tommy Thorpe to claim the secon goal. He added another a few minutes later, before the goalkeeper, who had fallen full-length in capitally saving Law's long shot, could recover, Fenwick darted up and virtually kicked the ball out of Thorpe's hands into the corner of the net. Meanwhile Walden had been doing tricky work at the other end, which deserved a better fate than that with which it met. Leeds City thus crossed over with a lead of three clear goals. In the second half Leeds took matters very calmly, and the only score came from a header by McLeod, who, after skilfully dribbling the ball half the length of the field, headed in, Bainbridge's shot having struck the cross-bar., and the final score was 4-0 to City. JRB in the Leeds Mercury commentated: "The fact that Fenwick scored a couple of goals shows that he has strengthened the City left wing. True, the goals were not those which are termed beauties, but the prompt way in which he put the ball into the net when an opportunity presented itself indicates that he is a fine opportunist. He also dribbles well and should make a useful partner for Speirs." The display was enough to earn Fenwick his League debut the following week against Leicester Fosse, and again he scored. His display in a 5-1 victory prompted this in the Yorkshire Post: "Mr Chapman, the manager, is slowly but surely evolving a set of players from whom much may be expected in the future. His latest acquisition is a youth named Fenwick, from Shildon, and although his methods are rather crude at present, he evidently possesses talent capable of being turned to good account under skilful training." He retained the left wing spot for the next five games. His enterprising start was followed by a depressing 6-0 defeat at Stockport County, but then Fenwick was back, netting a brace in a 5-1 victory, at Elland Road, over the eventual Division Two champions Preston North End. There was then a 2-2 draw at Burnley and a 1-0 home win over Hull City. Fred Croot then recovered from injury and Fenwick dropped down to the reserves and he never played for City again. It was a real surprise, however, when Herbert Chapman decided against retaining the youngster's services at the end of the campaign and the winger drifted out of the professional game despite a promising return of three goals from five League appearances.