George Featherstone was born on 22 June 1884 in Middlesbrough. He played football for Darlington St Hilda’s, where he acquired a reputation as a scorer of spectacular goals, and for Northern League club Darlington. By 1905, he was on the books of Stockton. He helped them win the 1906-07 Northern League title as well as reach the 1907 FA Amateur Cup Final, in in which they lost 2–1 to Clapton at Stamford Bridge after what was described as “a hard fought and spirited display”. Stockton’s goal came from the rebound after Featherstone headed against the crossbar.
George signed for Sheffield United on 25 February 1908; as part of the deal, it was agreed that he could leave on a free transfer at the end of the season if he wished. He made his debut in the following Saturday’s First Division fixture, taking the place of Arthur Brown in the forward line, and scored the equaliser in a 2–2 draw at home to Woolwich Arsenal. He did not take up his option to leave, and by the end of the 1908–09 season had taken his totals to 11 goals from 29 league matches.
He then joined Brighton & Hove Albion on a free transfer. Despite a season disrupted by injury and a serious illness, he was a regular in the team when available, and scored 8 goals from 21 appearances as the Seagulls won the 1909-10 Southern League title. He left the Seagulls in May 1910.