A blistering winger who shone among the elites.
By FEROZ SHAIK
NICKNAMED ‘Yataghan’ after a famous racehorse, James George was a blistering winger who became famous with Cape Town Spurs and Berea.
George’s journey from the humble streets of Woodstock to the grand stadiums of Cape Town and Durban is a tale of raw talent, dedication, and the sheer love of the game.
As a young boy, like many sports stars, he honed his skills in the bustling streets of his neighbourhood, and for George it was football that captured his heart.
‘I grew up in Essex Street Woodstock. That is where I learnt the trade by playing street football. Before I turned pro, I played for Squares from Salt River with the likes of Aghmat Fakier and many other talented footballers,’ said George.
George’s big break came while playing for Squares in Kensington. Cape Town Spurs, on a scouting mission, noticed his blistering pace and skill on the wing. Among the scouts were legends like Dougie Carelse and Siraj Abbas.
‘After the game, Dougie Carelse mentioned to the manager of Spurs, Don Richards, that I was the type of player they wanted. I was mainly on the bench that season after signing for them, but it was good for my development,’ George recounted.
He went on to play for Spurs from 1971 to 1975, winning the league three times and playing with some of the best players in the country including Dougie Carelse, Bernard Hartze, Siraj Abbas, Basil Medell, George van Niekerk, Rashid Khan and many others. He was the leading goal scorer for Spurs in 1973 with 21 goals.
His other highlights included being nominated, together with Medell, for the Cape Herald sportsman of the year award in 1972 which was won by tennis player Peter Lamb.
George then had a very short stint with Cape Town United before making the move to Durban to play for Berea from 1975 to 1978.
‘I really don’t know why I moved to Durban. I was first approached by the manager of Verulam Suburbs, Balu Parekh, but my wife said I was chasing the wind. I played for a Cape Town representative team comprising of players from Spurs, Glenville and Cape Town United against a pro team from Durban and decided to stay in Durban. I actually stayed at the Admiral Hotel for a few weeks,’ said George about his move to Durban.
While in Durban, George was talking to Manning Rangers but the persistence of Don Mudaly saw him sign for Berea who offered him a flat at Aslam Heights in Sydenham.
He was player of the year for Berea in 1976 and was part of that team beat Sundowns in the famous cup final that same season. That final went into two legs and saw 15 goals being scored at a packed Curries Fountain.
Yet again, George played with household names like Pat Blair, Charles Carey, Daya Maistry, Henry ‘Black Cat’ Cele and many other stars.
While he had many successful years as a flying winger, George also regrets having played in the white amateur league after his professional days.
‘One of my regrets was joining the white amateur league in the early 80’s after my pro career. I realised it was wrong and went back to the Western Province Football Board. I had to appear at a disciplinary hearing led by Vincent Baartjies, was fined and re-instated,’ he added.
After hanging up his boots, George then went into coaching with Belthorn United for two years where he won the Cape FA Premier League at Turfhall Park and then joined Oriental Gunners at Rygate.
A retired professional architectural draughtsman, George now 72, lives in Westridge, Mitchells Plain and spends most of his time with his ten grandchildren.
