![By Невідомо [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/1fcfb0544df4ca2f0c8fd56392f991cc71eb632260191b48d287c602ef8c566e.jpg "By Невідомо [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons")
45. George Hilsdon: 1906-12
About 100 years before Frank Lampard and Joe Cole moved from West Ham United to Chelsea FC, George Hilsdon made that move in 1906. Hilsdon was an out-and-out center forward and did great things for the club during his six years at Stamford Bridge, including helping them earn promotion to the First Division in 1907.
The man known as “Gatling Gun” was a prolific scorer and became the first Chelsea player to score 100 goals, having scored 108 in 164 appearances. He faced great difficulties as a result of his battle with alcoholism but was still able to bang in goals and sits 9th on the club’s all-time scoring lists. During his Chelsea career, Hilsdon was the first Blue to play for England and scored 14 goals in eight appearances for the Three Lions.
After the 1912 season, Hilsdon returned to West Ham until the outbreak of World War I where he was forced to serve in the armed forces. He suffered a mustard gas attack while on the front line and that effectively ended his footballing career. Hilsdon died in relative anonymity but is now a cult figure of sorts around the club as a weather vane modelled after him is at Stamford Bridge.
Legend has it that removing the vane would bring great misfortune to the club and that is precisely what happened during the renovations of 1970’s. Let us hope that the future renovations to the ground keep that in mind!
Next: #44