We will remember you George

It is with sadness that we report the death of a Rangers legend, George Machin.

George was a player from 1965 to 1973 and made 398 appearances for the club, primarily as a left half. He was a member of the successful 1972 squad that won both the NPL and FA Trophy but had already achieved legendary status among Rangers fans when he played in goal in the 2nd Leg of the Cheshire Senior Cup final.

George originally signed for Stoke City from school and went on to play for the Potters as an apprentice professional for three years. He then signed for Doncaster Rovers as a full time professional but returned to Stoke on Trent after one year having not made a first team appearance. He took on employment as a Jollier at Allied Insulators but continued playing football, now as a semi-professional.

At the start of the 1964/65 season, he joined Bangor City of the Cheshire County League. His stay in North Wales only lasted a few months and in December he joined fellow Cheshire League side, Witton Albion.

At the end of the season, Jack Bonnell, the scout who had initially recommended him to Doncaster, alerted Stafford Rangers to Machin and he made his debut for the Boro in a 0-0 draw away to Stockport County Reserves on 21 August 1965. The team was Phil Lockett, Mick Gibbs, Carroll Windsor, Jim Sargeant, Bob Walters, George Machin, Colin Askey, Terry Burgin, Les Box, Colin Hutchinson, Jimmy Wallace.

George’s moment in the headlines came in May 1968 when Rangers, holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg, travelled to Runcorn for the second leg of the Cheshire League Cup final.

Goalkeeper Phil Lockett failed to show up and Machin stepped in as an emergency keeper. Although he was beaten once, he had, according to Paul Butters’ Cinderella Story, the game of his life and made a superb save late on which helped Rangers to a 1-1 draw which was enough to bring the cup back to Stafford for the first and only time.

In 1969, Rangers joined the NPL and George formed a partnership with Graham Chadwick who, Machin said, was the best player that he played alongside.

During the 1971/72 season, George was an ever present in the NPL and FA Trophy and played an incredible 72 games. The following season saw him lose his place in the side due to injury but he did return and made another appearance in goal when called upon for a game at Scarborough.

Despite so many appearances, George was not a prolific goalscorer, with only five goals to his name during his time at Stafford. It didn’t go unnoticed and, in August 1972, correspondent Jim Pridding reported that, after four blank years, a local bookmaker had offered 20/1 on him breaking the duck. Penalties were excluded but it mattered not, George Machin didn’t manage a goal during an injury hit season.

Machin left Rangers at the end of the 1972/73 season and began the following campaign at Nantwich Town who were managed by former Stafford manager Colin Hutchinson and also featured several other former team mates.

He played at Nantwich for two seasons before retiring from the game.

Stafford Rangers FC.