George Webb
(1900 - 1947)
One of Norwood’s greatest clubmen and personalities over a period of more than 35 years, George Webb was an outstanding footballer, commencing in 1885 at Port Adelaide where he played in its 1890 premiership side. In 1895 he played in Broken Hill and then had two years in Western Australia with Imperials from 1896-97 before returning briefly with Port in 1898 and 1899, finishing at Norwood from 1900 to 1905.
‘Geordie’ Webb played with Norwood for six seasons, including two premierships in 1901 and 1904. He was a trainer from 1906 to 1909, head trainer from 1910 to 1936 and served the club as a room steward from 1937 to 1947 after he could no longer attend to his duties as head trainer.
In 1890 he was a member of the South Australian team which defeated Victoria for the first time. George was one of the finest ruckmen of his time and one of Norwood’s elite players in the early 1900’s. He travelled Australia with the South Australian state teams as a player and trainer, and was granted a benefit match in his final season, for his services to Norwood, Port and South Australia. On 30 April, 1932, George Webb, as head trainer for Norwood wrote an expansive article in The Mail – The Footballer – Must Use His Head, and an extract revealed that a footballer needs … ‘ a clear brain, plenty of sleep, moderation in eating and drinking – those are the essentials in training that make a good footballer. Brawn – a certain amount of it is a necessity, since this sport is no game for weaklings. But brawn without brains is like a machine without a guiding hand – useless’.
George Webb collapsed and died when about to enter Adelaide Oval to see Norwood play West Adelaide on Monday, 13 June, 1949. He was 83 years of age when he died and lived at Salop St, Beulah Park.
In 2015 George Webb became Norwood’s 56th Hall of Fame inductee.
Playing career: 1900 to 1905
Premierships: 1901, 1904
Head Trainer: 1910 to 1936
Room Steward: 1937 to 1947
NFC Life Member
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