Obituary - George McAllister

We were saddened to hear of the passing of our former physio George McAllister, who passed away recently at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary after being diagnosed with coronavirus. He was 72.

A popular member of our backroom team in the early 1980s, George was assistant to physio Mike Varney as Keith Burkinshaw's team lifted the FA Cup in 1981 and 1982 and then the UEFA Cup in 1984.

Indeed, George is pictured above with the players on the pitch at Wembley after our FA Cup Final replay win over Manchester City in 1981 - back row, far right, with the night's hero Ricky Villa. Mike is also next to Ricky as the celebrations started!

Born in Scotland, George took up a role as physio at Huddersfield Town before a second spell at Spurs under the management of Ossie Ardiles in 1993. He later ran a private physio practice back in Huddersfield.

Steve Perryman, captain of those glory years in the early 1980s and then Ossie's assistant in George's second spell in 1993, said: "In the two spells he had with us - one under Keith, one under Ossie - George contributed to the professionalism and camaraderie in both eras. He was a top, top bloke."

We extend our condolences to George's family and friends at this sad time.