Chelsea FC Profile: George Johnson
Full Name: George Henry Johnson
Born: Wednesday, 1st February 1888
Place of birth: Stepney, London, England
Died: Saturday, 1st March 1952 (aged 64)
Burial: Buried - Hawkinge Cemetery and Crematorium, Hawkinge, Shepway District, Kent, England - Plot V Section A Grave 858
Involvement with Chelsea:
Men's 1st Team Player from 1912 to 1913
George Henry Johnson was born to George and Esther (Nee Bush) on 1st February 1888 at Dakin Street in Stepney, East London and was baptised in December of the same year at St Matthews, Stepney. As a child he attended the Ratcliff, Broad Street School and St Annes, Limehouse, leaving school in the summer of 1902.
From FA Registration documents, it appears George had a brief time with Southend United (registered 10 Apr 1908), before joining Clapton Orient in August 1908 (registered 19th Aug 1908). He spent almost 4 seasons with Clapton before joining Chelsea in March 1912 (registered 14 Mar 1912). After Chelsea, he played for Portsmouth from May 1913 for one season before moving to Hampshire League club Boscombe in 1914. Following WWI he played for Vickers Crayford in season 1919/20 and finally for Folkestone, whom he joined June 1920.
During his time at Chelsea, George married Sophia Sarah Baker on 9th June 1912 at St Paul's Old Ford, in Bow. From Census records, they had at least 1 daughter, Irene, born in 1923. By 1939 and long after the end of George's football career, the 3 of them had moved to Foord Road, Folkestone, Kent, where Goerge is listed as being a bus conductor, Sophia "Unpaid domestic duties) & Irene a saleshand in bakery department.
Sophia remarried in October 1952 in Folkestone, which led to finding George Henry's death at Hillcrest Road, Hythe on 1 March 1952. He was buried five days later at Hawkinge cemetery, plot V, grave # 858.
Playing Career:
Southend United
Clapton Orient
Chelsea (Mar 1912 to May 1913) - Free Transfer
Portsmouth
Boscombe
Vickers Crayford
Folkstone Town
Chelsea First-Team Career Summary
Competitive Debut: Saturday, 16th March 1912, Chelsea 0 - 2 Birmingham
Age on debut: 24 years 1 months 15 days
Last Competitive First-Team Appearance: Wednesday, 5th February 1913, The Wednesday 6 - 0 Chelsea
Appearances
| Goals
|
* oth = other competitive matches such as Full Members Cup, Charity/Community Shield, Fifa World Club Cup.
Figures in ( ) are substitute appearances and are also included in the totals.
i.e. George Johnson made 6 appearances for Chelsea, of which 0 were as a substitute.
Competitive Matches Played
Comp | Date | Home | Away | Att | |||
League | 16th Mar 1912 | Chelsea | 0 | 2 | Birmingham | 27,000 | ![]() |
League | 25th Apr 1912 | Barnsley | 0 | 2 | Chelsea | 7,000 | ![]() |
League | 9th Nov 1912 | Everton | 1 | 0 | Chelsea | 20,000 | ![]() |
League | 16th Nov 1912 | Chelsea | 0 | 4 | The Wednesday | 27,000 | ![]() |
F.A. Cup | 1st Feb 1913 | Chelsea | 1 | 1 | The Wednesday | 35,606 | ![]() |
F.A. Cup | 5th Feb 1913 | The Wednesday | 6 | 0 | Chelsea | 35,860 | ![]() |
Non-Competitive First-Team Appearances
| Non-Competitive First-Team Goals
|
Figures in ( ) are substitute appearances and are also included in the totals.
i.e. George Johnson made 0 appearances for Chelsea, of which 0 were as a substitute.
Non-Competitive First-Team Matches Played
Comp | Date | Home | Away | Att |
Non-First-Team Appearances
| Non-First-Team Goals
|
Figures in ( ) are substitute appearances and are also included in the totals.
i.e. George Johnson made 0 appearances for Chelsea, of which 0 were as a substitute.
Non-First-Team Matches Played
Comp | Date | Home | Away | Att |
Chelsea Graves Society Info & External Research Links:



Return to Player Directory.
Return to Home page.