Dr Tosh Warwick is busy researching the first authorised biography of Boro hot shot goals king, George Camsell and he would dearly love your help.
When the question of Boro’s greatest goalscorer is raised, the debates that ensue often turn to those in living memory and invariably reference the predatory prowess of Brian Clough, penalty king Big John Hickton or Holgate Fence jumping Bernie Slaven. Few, excluding Middlesbrough FC history aficionados, pub quizzers, or a small number regaled with tales of a Framwellgate Moor-born forward ripping up interwar Ayresome records, are likely to reference George Camsell. Yet, not only is Camsell Boro’s all-time record goalscorer but his England international record of 18 goals in 9 matches remains unbeaten to this day for players with more than one England cap.
Incredibly, barring fantastic articles in Harry Glasper et al. chronicles of Middlesbrough FC history, occasional newspaper or programme features or lists of record goalscorers, Camsell’s is relatively unknown with his exploits having fallen under the radar and there has never been a biography on Camsell, despite many of his contemporaries having been graced with several. There are many reasons for this, not least the passage of time inevitably sees famous names slip out of memory. The limited footage of Camsell in action makes connecting with George’s story a challenge, and there are only a small number of recordings that exist of people recalling the great man’s performances in the red and white shirt.
However, working with the support of Camsell’s family, I am writing the first authorised biography on George that will finally shed some (new) light on Boro’s history maker and undisputed greatest goalscorer. As well as looking at his famous achievements, including his incredible 59 Football League record goal haul in the 1926/27 promotion campaign – only for the record to be bettered by Everton’s Dixie Dean with 60 goals in the following campaign - the book will reveal Camsell’s contributions to the club well beyond his contribution in front of goal and more about the man off it…he even turned out for Stockton as the Second World War broke out when he was not required at Middlesbrough.
Off the pitch, he helped discover Brian Clough when the confident Valley Road young man was looking to make his way in the football world, and also served the club in various roles including trainer and assistant secretary into the 1960s. Camsell was a humble man and his son, George Camsell junior, has welcomed the timely and long overdue biography and speculated what the great man would have made of all the fuss. It is hoped that the biography will be published next year depending on Covid-19 restrictions.
At a time when the football world has hailed and debated goalscoring records, hopefully the new book and project (with collaboration with MFC Foundation, schools and museums planned) will help fans recognise our own recordbreaker and one of the club’s loyalist of servants.
Dr Tosh Warwick is asking supporters to share their George Camsell memorabilia, memories and stories with him as part of the project. He can be contacted at info@heritageunlocked.com and 07591093136.
When the question of Boro’s greatest goalscorer is raised, the debates that ensue often turn to those in living memory and invariably reference the predatory prowess of Brian Clough, penalty king Big John Hickton or Holgate Fence jumping Bernie Slaven. Few, excluding Middlesbrough FC history aficionados, pub quizzers, or a small number regaled with tales of a Framwellgate Moor-born forward ripping up interwar Ayresome records, are likely to reference George Camsell. Yet, not only is Camsell Boro’s all-time record goalscorer but his England international record of 18 goals in 9 matches remains unbeaten to this day for players with more than one England cap.
Incredibly, barring fantastic articles in Harry Glasper et al. chronicles of Middlesbrough FC history, occasional newspaper or programme features or lists of record goalscorers, Camsell’s is relatively unknown with his exploits having fallen under the radar and there has never been a biography on Camsell, despite many of his contemporaries having been graced with several. There are many reasons for this, not least the passage of time inevitably sees famous names slip out of memory. The limited footage of Camsell in action makes connecting with George’s story a challenge, and there are only a small number of recordings that exist of people recalling the great man’s performances in the red and white shirt.
However, working with the support of Camsell’s family, I am writing the first authorised biography on George that will finally shed some (new) light on Boro’s history maker and undisputed greatest goalscorer. As well as looking at his famous achievements, including his incredible 59 Football League record goal haul in the 1926/27 promotion campaign – only for the record to be bettered by Everton’s Dixie Dean with 60 goals in the following campaign - the book will reveal Camsell’s contributions to the club well beyond his contribution in front of goal and more about the man off it…he even turned out for Stockton as the Second World War broke out when he was not required at Middlesbrough.
Off the pitch, he helped discover Brian Clough when the confident Valley Road young man was looking to make his way in the football world, and also served the club in various roles including trainer and assistant secretary into the 1960s. Camsell was a humble man and his son, George Camsell junior, has welcomed the timely and long overdue biography and speculated what the great man would have made of all the fuss. It is hoped that the biography will be published next year depending on Covid-19 restrictions.
At a time when the football world has hailed and debated goalscoring records, hopefully the new book and project (with collaboration with MFC Foundation, schools and museums planned) will help fans recognise our own recordbreaker and one of the club’s loyalist of servants.
Dr Tosh Warwick is asking supporters to share their George Camsell memorabilia, memories and stories with him as part of the project. He can be contacted at info@heritageunlocked.com and 07591093136.
