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GEORGE WILLIS
Born: 09 November 1926
Came from: Brighton & Hove Albion Went to: Exeter City
First game: 22 August 1949 Last game: 14 January 1956
Appearances: 59 (59/0) Goals: 14
Born in Stanley, in County Durham, Willis began his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers (having worked as a miner after leaving school) but did not make a first team appearance for the club, his time there affected by the Second World War. During the war years he played as a guest for Port Vale and Crewe Alexandra. Joining Brighton & Hove Albion in 1948, he scored 13 goals in just 28 games before moving to Home Park.
Not the most naturally gifted of players, his tireless energy and enthusiasm often unsettled defenders, creating chances for himself and his colleagues. Willis spent seven years with Argyle but was never a first team regular, a fact reflected in his appearance totals.
In 1956, when wholesale changes were being made at the club, he moved on to Exeter City, where he played for two seasons before a stint with Taunton Town. He also had a spell with Falmouth Town in the South Western League in the 1958-59 season and was a South Western League Cup winner in his only season with the club before calling time on his career.
He spent time as a publican and for many years ran the Ram and Ewe Bars at the University of Exeter. George passed away on 25 May 2011, aged 84.
Footnote: It had been reported and believed that Willis was the stepfather of the late Ian Fraser Kilmister aka "Lemmy" from the legendary UK rock band Motörhead. Lemmy went by the name Ian Willis early in his career. However, this has been debunked as incorrect by George's own family; he was not Lemmy's stepdad. Lemmy's mother, Jessie M Kilmister, married a George L Willis (believed to be a former rugby player) in Anglesey in 1956. Other details on Lemmy's Wikipedia entry about that George, do not tally with what we know about the George Willis who played for Plymouth Argyle. Finally however, in an odd twist of fate - although one that may help explain this mistaken link - the aforementioned Ewe Bar, later became the Lemon Grove and was often colloquially referred to, as "The Lemmy"!
YOUR CONTRIBUTION
If you can add to this profile, perhaps with special memories, a favourite story or the results of your original research, please contribute here.
From Keith Rashleigh in Budock Water, near Falmouth on 06/01/2014 ...
George joined Falmouth Town in the South Western League and helped them win the South Western League Cup in 1958/59 by scoring a hat-trick in a 6-3 win over local rivals Truro City in the final played at St Blazey.
APPEARANCE DETAILS [reselect competitions]
The details below reflect appearances in all first-team competitions.
I'm very grateful to many who have helped write GoS-DB's player pen-pictures, and to Dave Rowntree, the PAFC Media Team and Colin Parsons for their help with photos. Thanks also to staff at the National Football Museum, the Scottish Football Museum and ScotlandsPeople for their valuable assistance.
The following publications have been particularly valuable in the research of pen-pictures: Plymouth Argyle, A Complete Record 1903-1989 (Brian Knight, ISBN 0-907969-40-2); Plymouth Argyle, 101 Golden Greats (Andy Riddle, ISBN 1-874287-47-3); Football League Players' Records 1888-1939 (Michael Joyce, ISBN 1-899468-67-6); Football League Players' Records 1946-1988 (Barry Hugman, ISBN 1-85443-020-3) and Plymouth Argyle Football Club Handbooks.
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