Darlington's George Malcolm starred for Quakers against Stalybridge in 1921 -- here are some details about him.

George was Darlington’s first captain when they joined the Football League in 1921, and led them to promotion in the 1924-25 season.

George was a half back, who rarely ventured beyond the half way line. He was a solid defender, and he formed good partnerships at the back, particularly with Billy Robinson and the versatile Hugh Dickson in the promotion season.

One of the most controversial incidents in  which George was involved was on 22nd April 1922 at Stockport, when the home side were top of the league and Darlington second. The referee awarded Darlington a penalty for handball, but Stockport protested so vociferously that the referee consulted his linesman, and instead awarded Stockport a free kick. There is no record of what the Darlington players said to the referee that day in front of a 16,000 crowd, but we can only guess because the final score was 1-0 to Stockport.

As captain, he had to represent the players, and in February 1923 he agreed to a 33 per cent pay cut of players wages, because the club was losing money following their entry into the league.

Being a half back, George didn’t score many goals for Quakers – just seven in five years -- and in season 1922-23, he scored just once in the 2-2 draw at Walsall on 28th October 1922, although with some help from the home keeper. The match report says: “Malcolm sent in a terrific shot which travelled straight to the custodian who fumbled the ball over the line.”

However, an effort the previous season at Rochdale was much more accomplished. “It was a brilliant individual effort, one of many he has recently made from long range.”

Without doubt, he was quick thinking, and scored a remarkable goal against Stalybridge on 18th February 1921. The match report says: “offside halted the home forwards, whilst the visiting keeper hesitated to go for the ball. He decided to do so, but Malcolm, who ran up from the halfway line, got there first and scored.”

George was one of Darlington’s best players when they took on Wolves – who at the time were also in the Third Division North -- in the third round of the FA Cup on January 12th 1924 at Molineux. Quakers lost 3-1 to the eventual champions in front of a crowd of 28,069, and George “marshalled his men well” although he couldn’t do anything about a controversial third goal which ended Darlington’s hopes.

George was at his best in season 1924-25 as he led the club to their first ever promotion in the Football League. With George working hard and inspiring his men, Quakers kept 17 clean sheets that season, and he had a benefit match, attended by 3,000 people, against his old club Middlesbrough on April 1st 1925

George couldn’t keep his place in the old Second Division, and he made what proved to be his last appearance against Southampton on October 5th 1925. He later left the club, and signed for Durham City in the Third Division North.