George Charles Hunter, also known by his nickname Cocky, (born 2 June 1885 â 20 January 1934) was an English professional footballer who played as a half back in the Football League for Aston Villa, Oldham Athletic, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Born in Nowshera, Peshawar, British India (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan).
Hunter played for Aston Villa, Oldham Athletic and Chelsea during his early career.
He was also the first-ever Aston Villa player to be sent off in a match. The second-ever player, Cyril Spiers would be dismissed 12 years later on in the 1925-26 season.
In March of 1914, he transferred to Manchester United. He captained the club during the 1914âÂÂ15 season and stayed with United until January 1915, when his contract was cancelled due to a training ground incident. He then played for Croydon Common, Southampton, Brentford and Birmingham as a guest player during the First World War and finished his career with Portsmouth of the Southern League during the 1919âÂÂ20 season.
Hunter also made two appearances for The Football League XI.
Hunter joined the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment of the British Army in December 1903, rising through the ranks to lance corporal by February 1906. He briefly served in Malta, but was found guilty of theft and receiving stolen goods by court-martial in December 1906 and served 140 days hard labour before being discharged in May 1907.
Over a year after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, Hunter enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regiment in September 1915 and served in the 10th (Reserve) Battalion of the regiment until June 1916. He was sent to France to join the 9th (Service) Battalion in August 1916, but bouts of dysentery saw him posted back to Britain as a fitness instructor. He was demobilised after the Armistice with Germany in November 1918.
After his retirement from football, Hunter worked as a sports writer.
Hunter would pass away on 20 January 1934 in Lambeth, England.