George McLay

George McLay MM (1889 – 22 October 1917) was a Scottish professional footballer who played in the Scottish League for Raith Rovers as a wing half.[4]

George McLay
Personal information
Full name George McLay[1]
Date of birth 1889
Place of birth Crossgates, Scotland
Date of death 22 October 1917 (aged 28)[2]
Place of death near Poelcappelle, Belgium[3]
Position(s) Wing half
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
0000–1910 Glencraig Celtic
1910–1915 Raith Rovers 79 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Personal life

McLay served as a sergeant in McCrae's Battalion of the Royal Scots during the First World War and saw action at the Battle of the Somme.[3] As McLay advanced near Poelcappelle during the Battle of Passchendaele on 22 October 1917, he became trapped in barbed wire and was shot multiple times, before being shot through the head.[3] He was posthumously awarded the Military Medal for his actions.[3] McLay is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.[2]

Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Scottish Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Raith Rovers 1910–11[1] Scottish First Division 9 2 0 0 9 2
1911–12[1] 19 0 2 0 21 0
1912–13[1] 20 2 2 0 22 2
1913–14[1] 21 1 0 0 21 1
1914–15[1] 10 0 — 10 0
Career total 79 5 4 0 83 5

Honours

References
  1. Litster, John. Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players. Norwich: PM Publications.
  2. "Casualty Details". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  3. Brown, Gordon. "George McLay: Hall of Fame induction for a true hero". www.fifetoday.co.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  4. "They Died in the Conflict in Season 1916–1917" (PDF). p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
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