- Former Chelsea striker George Hilsdon spent 74 years in unmarked grave
- Dubbed 'Gatling Gun' because of his unstoppable shots, he died in 1941
Chelsea
fans have raised more than £1,000 to buy a headstone for a former
striker and First World War hero who spent 74 years in an unmarked
grave.
George
Hilsdon, the first player to score 100 goals for Chelsea, was nicknamed
the 'Gatling Gun' because of his unstoppable shots and died in 1941.
He scored 14 goals in eight England appearances and became the first player to score 100 goals for Chelsea before war broke out.
Chelsea fans raised more than £1,000 to buy a headstone for former striker George Hilsdon
Hilsdon was injured in a mustard gas attack on the Western Front in France.
When he died just four people attended the funeral and he was so poor the Football Association paid for the service.
Hilsdon is buried at Oadsby and Wigston cemetery in Leicestershire.
Chelsea supporter Andy Scott located the site of the grave.
Andy
told the Daily Mirror: 'I managed to contact George's relatives, his
grandson, a West Ham fan, who is also named George and we have met and
agreed the text, and selected the stone and layout for the headstone.
'He was overwhelmed and said he and the family were all in favour of such a fitting tribute.'
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