Willie Hall (English footballer)

George William "Willie" Hall (12 March 1912 – 22 May 1967) was an English football player who played for Notts County, Tottenham Hotspur and the England national team during the 1930s.

Biography

Hall was born in Newark, Nottinghamshire and played for Notts County from 1930 before joining Tottenham for a fee of £2,600 in 1932. He was a versatile inside forward and skillful dribbler. In his later career he played a full-back.

He made his international debut against France in December 1933 and went on to appear in a total of ten international games for England. During England's match against Northern Ireland on 16 November 1938, Hall scored five goals during a 30-minute period either side of half-time. Three of these were within a four-minute spell and Hall still holds the record for the fastest hat-trick in international matches. During the Second World War Willie continue to play in friendly matches for Spurs whilst also being a member of the London Police Reserve.

Ill-health brought an end to his playing career in 1945 and he suffered the amputation of both lower parts of his legs. He continued his association with the game as a Vice-president of the Spurs Supporters Club and in coaching roles at Clapton Orient and other clubs. Testimonial games were played at both Tottenham and Notts County grounds in 1946. From 1954 he became a publican. The Willie Hall Memorial Trophy is still played for each year having been inaugurated in 1967, the year he died, by the Newark Football Alliance. Willie's fame was enhanced on 16 February 1959, when he was chosen as the subject of This Is Your Life by BBC Television host Eamonn Andrews.

But, no longer a man of such stamina, Willie spent more time with his sister, back in Newark, exercising new skills in fishing, and nostalgic sharing with old friends. Here, on 20 May 1967, having watched Tottenham beat Chelsea 2–1 in the FA Cup, Willie died of a heart attack. On 26 May 1967, his thanksgiving service at St Mary Magdalene Church was followed by cremation, and the ashes later interred at Newark Cemetery. Tribute has been paid, locally to a man of great bravery and talent, not just in the N.A.L.H.S. plaque, but also in the Willie Hall Cup, presented annually to the winners of the Newark Sunday Alliance. 2006 brought his installation within the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame

External links

• Hall's profile on englandstats.com
• England Records - England F.C.