Biography of George Robledo

The Society’s Executive Committee has granted funds to journalist Spencer Vignes, who will write George Robledo’s biography. The biography will cover his life, legacy, and aim to raise George Robledo’s profile as a sportsman as the 100th anniversary of his birth (in 1926) approaches.

George, born in 1926 and died in 1989, is arguably the most famous Chilean to have ever played football in the UK. He held the record for the most goals scored in the top flight of English football in a single season by an overseas-born player (33 league goals for Newcastle United, 1951/52 season). Additionally, he scored the winning goal in the 1952 FA Cup final for Newcastle United and represented Chile at the 1950 World Cup.

Although George is fondly remembered by older football fans in Barnsley, Yorkshire (where he grew up after moving from Chile) and in Newcastle (where he became a folk hero), his legacy has diminished over the decades. Spencer's goal is to help people rediscover and learn about George's key role, not only as a footballer but also in forging Anglo/Chilean relations.