George Male
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Charles George Male | ||
| Date of birth | 8 May 1910 | ||
| Place of birth | West Ham, London, England | ||
| Date of death | 19 February 1998 (aged 87) | ||
| Playing position | Right back, left half | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1929–1948 | Arsenal | 285 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 1934–1939 | England | 19 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Charles George Male (8 May 1910 – 19 February 1998) was an English footballer.
Born in West Ham, London, Male trialled with West Ham United before playing with non-league Clapton. He joined Arsenal as an amateur in November 1929, turning professional in May 1930 and made his debut in a 7-1 victory over Blackpool on 27 December 1930. Initially a left-Winger or left-half, usually deputising for Bob John. Male's appearances were few and far between - three in 1930-31 (in which Arsenal won the First Division for the first time in their history) and nine in 1931-32, although he was a surprise choice at left half in the 1932 FA Cup final after Alex James was withdrawn because of injury and the side reshuffled as a result. Arsenal controversially lost 2-1 to Newcastle United, after Newcastle's equaliser had come after the ball had already gone behind for a goal kick.
In 1932, with Arsenal's current right back Tom Parker ageing and his replacement, Leslie Compton, not looking entirely assured, Male was converted from left half to right back by Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman; Male would later recount how, before being told of the switch by Chapman, he entered his office fearing for his future at the club, but Chapman convinced him not only could he play at right back, but that he was the best right back in the country.
Bolstered by Chapman's pep talk, Male slotted into the right back role easily, and he became a near ever-present for the next seven seasons; he was undisputed first-choice right back and played over 35 matches for every season in that period. During that time, Arsenal won the First Division four more times (1932-33, 1933-34, 1934-35 and 1937-38), as well as the FA Cup in 1935-36.
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