George Whitelaw – QPR Centre Forward In 1959 – ‘Raging Bull’ !!!
Scotsman George Whitelaw’s spell at Loftus Road was quite short lived. He played a total of 26 First Team games for the R’s from the date of his arrival from Sunderland in March 1959, up to his transfer a few months later to Halifax Town, scoring ten goals along the way. This however is only a basic statistic, there is far more to it than that.
In the grand scheme of QPR FC history, burly George Whitelaw would probably be considered as merely a very brief footnote but his stay at the club was certainly not uneventful and his somewhat eccentric on-field persona coupled together with a fearsome physical style at centre forward left a lasting impression on the majority of supporters who saw him perform. I am not certain exactly what horror effect he had on the opposition but he sure as hell scared the life out of me…and here’s the unique part, WE the supporters helped pay his transfer fee when he was purchased from Sunderland as the following Editorial comment from the QPR v Bradford City programme, dated 16th March 1959 confirms:-
‘As our supporters will have heard, a large sum of money has been paid to Sunderland for George Whitelaw, who will add much needed thrust to our forward line. Our very grateful thanks are due to the Committee of the Supporters’ Club for the loan of £2,000 which greatly influenced the club when making this important signing. Without their help this valuable signing would not have been possible. We are not in a position to spend money unwisely, but this capital expenditure was considered necessary in the interest of the club. Here’s hoping that good results will materialise and that you will all show your appreciation by giving maximum support during the remaining games of the 1958-59 season.’
It’s nice to know that my Junior Supporters Club Membership fee of one shilling and three pence was put to good use. Yes, George was worth the money. He provided the vital spark with goals and assists which steered us away from the relegation zone during the 1958-59 campaign. Immediately prior to his arrival we were fifth from bottom of Division 3 and the way results were going there was a real danger of dropping into Division 4. Perish the thought !
George was an instant success on his debut, although it was obvious he was not the most sophisticated or skilful footballer ever to wear a QPR FC number nine shirt, he really set the place alight running around like a raging bull creating havoc in the Bradford defence as the R’s gained a vital 3-0 victory and to cap a tremendous all-round display, he also scored. This was of course the era of the shoulder charge on goalkeepers and George Whitelaw had the physique and relish to undertake the task. There was a joke circulating at the time stating that whenever George was in the team the opposing keeper ended up in the back of the net more times than the ball did ! It was not without good reason that he earned the nicknames of ‘Garth’ or ‘Cheyenne’ from a section of the R’s faithful. Look, I’m sorry you younger folks reading this article, you will have to go away and look up your 1950’s newspaper and TV history to comprehend this connection.
The start of the following season, 1959/60, saw George Whitelaw, Arthur Longbottom and Brian Bedford earmarked as our main goalscorers. George scored one or two goals in the very early fixtures but under the new regime of Alec Stock, Brian and Arthur got priority so George was subsequently dropped to mainly Reserve team football until his departure to Halifax Town. Was this a blunder by Alec ? Was George off the boil ? Would a long term strike partnership of Bedford and Whitelaw have been a success ? Alas we will never know the answers, but it is worth mentioning that his goalscoring ratio at his other English lower league clubs, Halifax, Carlisle and Stockport stands up fairly well and when playing for St. Johnstone in 1957/58, his record has been described in some quarters as prolific.
Various R’s fans have indicated to me that George was a much different kind of person off the field of play. He was less aggressive and furthermore I also understand that he tended to be more religious than most of his team mates. Nevertheless, if it came down to a punch-up you would definitely want George Whitelaw in his prime on your side.
Bernard Lambert (Kerrins)
Aged 22, George was signed by Manager Jack Taylor in March 1959. Previously with St.Johnstone, he arrived from Sunderland and made his debut at home to Bradford City on Monday 16th March. He made an immediate impact with a goal after just 2 minutes when he challenged City’s goalkeeper and bundled the ball home. Unusual in appearance, he sported a fringe style haircut and ran with a slightly hunched style with his elbows away from his body. Because of this he was very distinctive and no doubt City’s goalie must have found him to be a formidable figure. Added to this he showed that he was a decent footballer as well and he soon found favour with Rangers fans.
Regrettably, his stay with the R’s was short lived. After finishing the previous season with five goals in eleven appearances, it was hoped that he would start the new season with a bang. For whatever reason it was not to be and under new Manager Alec Stock, he seemed to stagnate. His final First Team appearance was the home game against Brentford (lost 4-2) and his last appearance for the Reserves was on 21st November against Colchester. Sometime after that he was transferred. Always popular with the fans, he was a character and his playing style was unique. Quite why the Rangers let him go was never disclosed, however to this day those of us fortunate to have seen him remember him fondly.
Clive Kingham
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Yes Clive…Goalkeepers did indeed find George Whitelaw a formidable figure!
It was a mystery why George was included in the Alec Stock “clear out”…was he homesick for the north of England?
…or Scotland?
I heard he always carried a bible with him. He was certainly a favourite with the fans and made a huge impact in a short time. I clearly recall the robbing of the Bradford goalie.
Interesting snippet to be found here :-
http://weardownsouth.com/article274.html
Saga Lout. That was an interesting snippet. Thanks for the info. I had not heard that particular story until now.
Yes that incident certainly showed up the eccentric side of his character.
I wonder if QPR FC ever paid back that £2,000 to the supporters club? Hmmm thats the capital sum plus Fifty years of compound interest!…Quick contact Wayne Rooneys agent lol
Intresting Article Clive, a good read.
If memory serves me right he was nicknamed “Gunlaw” after the the tv series on at the time, i remember him best in an away game at Brentford a Brentford defender bounced off him and while he lay on the pitch Gunlaw jumped up and down like a chimp goading him!.
Great read and memories.
Did Ivor Harrison’s (see advert) become WG Stores?
Bill Garvey…Yep could be right. One of his many nicknames I expect.
I was not at that Brentford away game. I did not see my first R’s AWAY Fixture until Dec 1960…but I can certainly imagine George jumping up and down like a Chimp! lol
By the way are you the Bill Garvey that was in the same class as me at Victoria school 1960?
Bernard Lambert
Colin…. not sure about the WG Stores connection.
Just found this in a programme from September 1959…
‘George Whitelaw courageously came back on the field after being knocked out in a collision with a Newport County player. In all fairness neither player was at fault and the main damage to George was caused by his face hitting the hard ground. Being extremely tough, George shook the effects off rapidly and was fit enough to play in our away game at York last Monday evening.’
Steve…I reckon the main damage was to the hard ground…not to George Whitelaws face! lol
…and I bet that Newport County player if he is still alive still has the bruises.
There is a piece on George in the Shepherds Bush Pie section of the Bournemouth programme dated 19th September 1959:-
‘George Whitelaw achieved a terrific reputation as a goalscorer with his last two clubs. During 1957-58, when he was with St. Johnstone, he was his team’s second highest scorer, and the following year he averaged two goals a game in over 15 outings with Sunderland reserves. Although goals have not come so easily for George since he made his Rangers debut against Bradford City on March 16 this year, certain it is that he will score more than his share when he really gets in his stride. Most sensational goal perhaps ever scored by George was the one he notched in that opening game. Remember ? Bradford City goalkeeper, Wilkinson, gathered the ball and George was there rushing forward right at him as he kicked it, which resulted in the ball rebounding into the net. And Rangers new centre forward had scored for his new club within moments of the start of his first game for them.’
Yes Steve..that George Whitelaw debut goal was typical of him… how could anyone there forget it?
PS I have that particular programme in my collection.
I remember going to the Gaumont on a Saturday night after watching George play. At the end of the show the lights went up and we trouped to the exit. There was George still seated in the back row clamped to a girls face oblivious to the fact that the show had finished. He got a big cheer and laughed as he joined the queue for the exit.
Things were so different then.
Great story Colin…thanks for putting that up.
Colin Vine
Yes Colin things were indeed so different then. George was certainly a larger than life character both on and off the field.
By the way Colin..did you ever attend Wendell Park Victoria or the Sulgrave Boys club late 50’s early 60’s..The surname Vine does ring a Bell..no not Rowan Vine! lol
Bernard Lambert
Hi Kerrins
No. Not guilty with either Wendell Park or Sulgrave Boys.
I did play football for Oaktown which started off as a boys club but became a football club. That was 58 to about 62/3. I lived in Devonport Road till 67.
I cant think of any of the family who would have gone there as there were only a few of my age and they moved away before then.
How did you get the name Kerrins? Wasnt there a Pat Kerrins that played for the R’s?
Am now living in not so sunny Spain.
Regards
Colin
Colin
I thought I knew you from ye olde days. Obviously not.
I have taken “Kerrins” as my computer user name after the 1950’s Goalscoring QPR Left winger Pat Kerrins(later converted to centre forward..Completely wrong decision in my opinion)
As a very young boy in my first season watching the R’s (57/58) he created an impression on me…maybe it was the Teddy Boy haircut lol
There is also an “Ingham” on this website too y’know.
Regards
Bernard Lambert