George Curtis (footballer, born 1939)


George Curtis is an English former footballer who played in the Football League as a defender for Coventry City and Aston Villa.

Playing career

Curtis was born in Dover, Kent, and resided in the village of Aylesham, Kent in the Kent Coalfield. He started his career with the nearby Snowdown Colliery Welfare before signing for Coventry City in October 1955. As club captain, the centre-half led the Sky Blues from the Fourth Division to the First. He left in December 1969, having played a then club record 487 league games, a record now held by Steve Ogrizovic, and scoring 11 goals.
His next club was Aston Villa whom Curtis helped to win the Third Division title in the 1971–72 season.

Management career

After retirement as a player, Curtis became Commercial Manager at Coventry City in July 1974 and then Managing Director in September 1983. He managed the club between April 1986 and May 1987. He and John Sillett led Coventry to victory in the 1987 FA Cup Final.
After the 1987 FA Cup Victory, Curtis brought the FA Cup Trophy to the Aylesham Working Men's Club in Aylesham, Kent, where Curtis started his football career.

Honours