George Wilcock turned to football after service with the Royal Field Artillery, playing for Bradford (P.A.) reserves and enjoying four League games with Barnsley before joining Goole Town in the Midland League as an amateur. He arrived in Hove in the summer of 1913 and was soon offered pro terms.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper showed promise as Bob Whiting’s deputy and had a run in the side on the big man’s temporary retirement in 1914-15, but war service with his old unit brought a temporary halt to George’s career. Wounded at Loos in October 1915, he became an Army schoolmaster upon repatriation, but was spotted by Southampton while playing for a Land Forces XI vs Royal Navy at Plymouth, and joined the Hampshire club upon his demob in 1919.
Making 20 appearances for the ‘Saints’ in the latter half of 1919-20, George greatly impressed the Preston North End management and joined the Deepdale staff in May 1920. However, after playing in the first seven Division One matches of 1920-21, he was dropped after a 6-0 hiding at Liverpool and joined Caerphilly in Welsh National League.
In July 1923, George obtained a permit to play as an amateur for Southampton Docks & Marine FC