A very interesting clip of George Formby was discovered on the British Pathe website a short while ago by Glasgow member, Angus Lamont, in which George takes part in a football match between a team of Comedians and a team of Boxers.

GEORGE CAPTAINS THE TEAM

This happened in January 1929 and judging by the attention that George gets, he is a star by this time as he appears to be the captain of the team - maybe he was just the best player? He also seems to be the featured comedian of the team - well they do drench him with a bucket of water? Actually I think it could be sand! The clip is very short in its original form at just 27 seconds but you can view it here in a slowed-down version which lasts approximately one minute.

ANOTHER FOOTBALL MATCH

When I first viewed the clip I was reminded of a photograph that I had seen of George in another football match which also takes place in Manchester, but when I checked, George is wearing stripes in the photo and hoops in the clip.

THE VENUE

The photo of George in stripes was taken at an event that took place at the Belle Vue’s Hyde Road Stadium but I am not certain of the venue for the film clip. Hyde Road Stadium was in place in 1929 and the first speedway meeting took place there in March 1929 so it could be the same venue. It does not really resemble either Maine Road or Old Trafford from what I can see of internet images of the Manchester City and United grounds at that period.

1929

At this time (1929) George had already recorded six of his dad's songs and later that year he would record All Going Back and In The Congo. He was also touring very successfully with the revue show, "Formby Seeing Life." PP - 08/04/2020