The first overseas player to become the top goal scorer in the English top division in the 1951-52 season. Having refused to join Newcastle Utd unless they also signed his brother, George Robledo went on to form, arguably, Newcastle’s greatest ever striking partnership alongside Jackie Milburn.
Born: 14th April 1926 – Iquique, Chile Position: Inside Forward
Club Career: Years Team Apps Gls 1946 – 1949 Barnsley 105 (45) 1949 – 1953 Newcastle Utd 146 (82) 1953 – 1958 Colo – Colo 153 (84)
International Career: 1950 -1957 Chile 31 (8)
Career Profile:
Strong, quick, thick set and very difficult to knock of the ball he was a grafter, always chasing the ball and committing to strong tackles. Not considered a natural, George was prepared to work hard to turn himself into a good footballer.
Not fancy, but capable in the air he also possessed a wonderful eye for goal and a shot that was reminiscent of a bullet leaving a gun.
Winner of back to back FA Cups in 1951 and 1952 he was the first South American to play in a FA Cup final when Newcastle beat Blackpool 2 – 0. The following season Newcastle beat Arsenal in the Final, with George scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win at Wembley.
The 1951-52 season also saw George score 39 goals in all competitions hitting 33 in the First Division, to Milburn’s 28, making George the leading goalscorer.
Returning to Chile in 1953, he signed for Colo-Colo of Santiago where he again played alongside his brother and became the top scorer in the Chilean Primera Division in 1953 and 1954 on the way to winning the league in 1953 and 1956 and the Copa Chile in 1958.
Capped by his country 31 times over 7 years, George played in the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil making his debut against England and scoring in Chiles 5-2 victory over the United States.
Time Vault Soccer doff’s it’s cap to this Newcastle Utd and Chilean Legend with a representation of the 1951-52 FA Cup winning season.
Time Vault Soccer Profile:
Position: Attack Rating: 1 Star Skill Stats: ATTACK 6 DEFEND 1 Special: N/A
Season Stats: Year Team App Gls Hons 1951 – 1952 Newcastle Utd 46 (0) 39 (0) FAC
Note: First edition cards have incorrect stats for George, sorry George! App 39 and Gls 33 are league stats only.
Strategy Tip: A one star wonder attacker who knows where the goal is, no nonsense, reliable and steadfast who won’t deplete your “star rating cap” in tournament play.
Features in: “Debut 50’s Expansion Squad – Card No: 53/64”
Figures in (Italics) = stats for their National side.