| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | George Edward Henry Skinner | ||
| Date of birth | (1917-06-26)26 June 1917 | ||
| Place of birth | Belvedere, England | ||
| Date of death | 30 September 2002(2002-09-30) (aged 85) | ||
| Place of death | Eastbourne, England | ||
| Position | Inside forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Callenders's Athletic | |||
| 1938–1947 | Tottenham Hotspur | 1 | (0) |
| Gillingham | |||
| Brighton & Hove Albion | |||
| Hastings United | |||
| Managerial career | |||
| 1954–1959 | Eastbourne | ||
| 1965 | Libya | ||
| 1968 | Jordan | ||
| 1969 | Saudi Arabia | ||
| 1972 | Iran | ||
| 1976–1978 | IBV | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
George Edward Henry Skinner (26 June 1917 – 30 September 2002) was an English professionalfootballer who played forTottenham Hotspur,Northfleet United,Gillingham,Brighton & Hove Albion andHastings United.[1]
Skinner began his career atCallender's Cables works team,Callender's Athletic of theSpartan League. Theinside forward signed for Tottenham Hotspur in May 1937 before joining the club's "nursery team" Northfleet United.[2] Skinner signed professional forms with theSpurs in September 1938. At the onset ofWW2 he joined theRoyal Artillery and was a war time guest player at clubs includingCharlton Athletic,Fulham,Harlepool,Middlesbrough,Swindon Town,York City andBristol Rovers. Skinner made one senior appearance[3] for theLilywhites in a fixture versusBirmingham City in August 1946. After leavingWhite Hart Lane in July 1947 he had spells with Gillingham and Brighton & Hove Albion.
After gaining a full coaching badge fromthe Football Association in 1947, Skinner took up his first overseas post as an adviser to theFinland before taking up the position of player/coach at Hastings United. After four years with theSouth Coast club he becameKent FA chief coach before returning to Finland to take charge of the Finland Olympic team. Skinner returned to England as manager ofEastbourne Town from 1954[4] until 1959 and later held the post of chief coach of theSussex FA.
In 1962 he travelled abroad to coach in Nigeria before becoming the national team coach of countries includingLibya (1965),Jordan (1968) andSaudi Arabia (1969). He took the appointment of national coach withFrank O'Farrell ofIran in 1972. His last managerial position overseas was withIcelandic clubIBV in 1976. Under his charge the club became the countries first club to progress past the first round of theUEFA Cup in 1978, after knocking outGlentoran. He retired from football in 1978 and settled inPevensey Bay. He died on 30 September 2002 at anEastbourne nursing home.[5]