George Hilsdon was Chelsea's first super star striker, signing for the club in 1906, bagging a fantastic 5 goals on his debut. He went on to become the first player in the club's history to score 100 goals and also scored an incredible 14 goals in 8 England appearances. He also represented West Ham with flying colours.
His post Chelsea career wasn't so good, having copped a lung full of mustard gas at Arras in 1917, his playing career was all but over and although he spent time on the London stage in a theatre production, he died a lonely death and tragically only 4 people attended his funeral in 1941.
However, his name did live on at Chelsea's ground Stamford Bridge in the form of a weather vane, made in his image. Legend was that if the vane wasn't in place the club's fortunes would wane. In the early 1980s the club found themselves in deep trouble, chairmen Ken Bates found the rusting weather vane languishing in a corner, and so had it restored and placed back on top of the East Stand. Chelsea were promptly promoted the next season as Champions.
It still stands there....
And now George finally has a decent memorial.
Never forgotten.
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