OTD: GEORGE KINNELL BORN

On this day in 1937, former Sunderland midfielder George Kinnell was born in Cowdenbeath.

George signed from Oldham Athletic in October 1966, much to the annoyance of the Latics fans, as he’d scored eight in 13 since joining them only two months earlier. There were rumours that the utility man had been brought in to settle down his wayward genius of a cousin, Jim Baxter (it didn’t work), and others that he was to replace King Charlie because manager Ian McColl objected to Hurley’s religion.

I saw him play in front of Charlie Hurley and Colin Todd against Wolves in April '68, and the fact that he didn’t repeat his Oldham scoring record is down to him being employed in midfield and defence at Roker. He was a popular player despite initially having a difficult time, having his own song which I, as a youngster, thought was hilarious. He was never booked while at Sunderland, despite thumping an opponent who’d clattered their Jim.

He’d started at the romantically-named Crossgates Primrose in Fife before joining Aberdeen in 1959 and four years later headed to Stoke City, where he had a successful three years and reached the League Cup final in 1964.

After exactly two years on Wearside, which included a loan to Vancouver Royal Canadians in the summer of '67, and six goals in 79 appearances, he went to Middlesbrough where he only played 14 times before joining Brunswick Juventus in Australia. His kid brother Andy played over 300 games in Scotland.

George sadly passed away aged 83 on 16th October 2021, having fought Alzheimer's and dementia in his last years.