March 3, 1921
Former North Ender’s death.
Family’s triple bereavement.
The death occured at Birkdale, this morning under the saddest of circumstances of George Barlow, the well-known amateur international left winger who was one of the finest sportsmen who ever wore the North End colours.
Yesterday week the funeral took place of his widowed mother and on Sunday morning his younger brother, Thomas Read Barlow died. Both died at Southport.
George who attended his mother’s funeral was taken ill the following day but he sent a wreath to the funeral of his brother, which took place at Parbold near Wigan, today. George who like his mother and brother died, we are informed, from septic pneumonia, was about 36 years of age, and his brother Tom about thirty four.
Every follower of the League game in these parts well recall that he learnt his football while at Wigan Grammer School. It was while playing with the Old Boys’ team that he became acquainted with North End whom he assisted as an amateur for several seasons, which were separated by a period of service the Everton club.
Though he only stood about 5ft 6ins, Barlow was a speedy and clever forward at his best, and an exceedingly useful man to North End especially in their Second Division days, and in war-time season 1918-19 was his last at Deepdale and subsequently he assisted the well-known Northern Nomads.
Barlow who was once described as “the pluckiest footballer of his inches that ever came up smiling after rough treatment,” had a happy disposition which made him a favourite with players, officials, and spectators.
He was capped five times for England in 1908 and 1914 v. Holland, in 1909 v. Wales, in 1910 v. Denmark, and in 1914 v. Ireland.
By profession he was an electrical engineer, and worked at the Wigan Corporation Electricity Works.
His death took place at a nursing home at Birkdale. A married sister presiding at Southport and his brother Edward, who is in Canada are the surviving relatives.
(Source: Lancashire Evening Post: March 3, 1921)
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