George Blackwood
{{short description|Australian former footballer|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{For|the Scottish artillery officer|George Frederick Blackwood}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = George Blackwood
| fullname = George Henry Raymond Blackwood{{cite web|url=http://www.aseanfootball.org/results/20140905-AFF-U19-Cup2014-MatchSummary-02.pdf|title=Vietnam 1 Australia 0|publisher=ASEAN Football Federation|date=5 September 2014|access-date=13 September 2016}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1997|06|4}}
| birth_place = Berowra, Australia
| height = 1.88 m
| position = Striker
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2014
| youthclubs1 = APIA Leichhardt
| youthyears2 = 2014
| youthclubs2 = Sydney FC
| years1 = 2014–2017
| caps1 = 19
| goals1 = 1
| clubs1 = Sydney FC
| years2 = 2017–2020
| caps2 = 64
| goals2 = 13
| clubs2 = Adelaide United
| clubs3 = Oldham Athletic
| caps3 = 13
| goals3 = 3
| years3 = 2020–2021
| years4 = 2021–2023
| caps4 = 36
| goals4 = 7
| clubs4 = Adelaide United
| clubs5 = Bhayangkara
| years5 = 2023
| caps5 = 1
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2024
| clubs6 = Balzan
| caps6 = 13
| goals6 = 4
| years7 = 2025–
| clubs7 = West Torrens Birkalla
| caps7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2014–2015
| nationalteam1 = Australia U20
| nationalcaps1 = 16
| nationalgoals1 = 7
| nationalyears2 = 2015–2019
| nationalteam2 = Australia U23
| nationalcaps2 = 11
| nationalgoals2 = 5
| club-update = 3 May 2024
| nationalteam-update =
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|AUS}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|AFF U-19 Youth Championship}}
{{Medal|1st|2016 Vietnam|U-20 Team}}
}}
George Henry Raymond Blackwood (born 4 June 1997) is an Australian footballer who plays as a striker for West Torrens Birkalla.
Born in Sydney, Blackwood played youth football for APIA Leichhardt Tigers before making his professional debut for Sydney FC in 2014.
Blackwood has represented Australia at under-20 and at under-23 level.
Club career
= Early career =
Blackwood spent a month training at Colchester United in 2013 after winning a scholarship award in Australia.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-hills/berowra-heights-striker-wins-scholarship-to-train-in-uk-follows-footsteps-of-harry-kewell/story-fngr8j1q-1226716297335|title=Berowra Heights striker wins scholarship to train in UK, follows footsteps of Harry Kewell|author=Graham, Ben|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=11 September 2013|access-date=13 September 2016}}
= Sydney FC =
George was first called up to Sydney FC's senior squad for a match against Melbourne City in October 2014.{{cite news|author=Hassett, Sebastian|date=10 October 2014|title=Sydney FC's kids to be tested against Melbourne City millionaires|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/sydney-fc/sydney-fcs-kids-to-be-tested-against-melbourne-city-millionaires-20141010-114a0i.html|access-date=13 September 2016}} He scored his first goal for the club in a draw against Central Coast Mariners on 16 March 2016 with a shot from outside the box.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-19/sydney-fc-play-out-2-2-draw/7260838|title=Central Coast Mariners score two late goals to salvage A-League draw with Sydney FC|work=ABC News|date=19 March 2016|access-date=13 September 2016}} Blackwood denied a new contract from Sydney FC at the end of the 2016–17 season.{{cite news|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2017/05/30/calver-stays-blackwood-leaves-sydney-fc|title=Calver stays, Blackwood leaves Sydney FC|date=30 May 2017|access-date=30 May 2017|publisher=The World Game}}
= Adelaide United =
In July 2017, Adelaide United signed Blackwood.{{cite news|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/aleague-forward-george-blackwood-joins-adelaide-united-from-sydney-fc/news-story/825212f779f184aff47c43e559b660ab|title=A-League forward George Blackwood joins Adelaide United from Sydney FC|first=Rob|last=Greenwood|newspaper=The Advertiser|date=6 July 2017}} Blackwood's first professional goal for the Adelaide-based club came from a penalty in the Round of 16 of the 2017 FFA Cup against rivals Melbourne Victory.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theffacup.com.au/match/adelaide-united-v-melbourne-victory-ffa-cup-23-08-2017/950067|title=Adelaide United vs Melbourne Victory, FFA Cup, Round of 16, 23rd Aug 2017|website=FFA Cup|language=en|access-date=2019-07-20}} Blackwood made an appearance in the 2017 FFA Cup Final on 21 November 2017 against former club Sydney FC, coming on as a substitute in the 73rd minute.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theffacup.com.au/match/sydney-fc-v-adelaide-united-ffa-cup-21-11-2017/959155|title=Sydney FC vs Adelaide United, FFA Cup, Cup Final, 21st Nov 2017|website=FFA Cup|language=en|access-date=2019-07-20}} Blackwood was released by the club on 26 August 2020 to pursue a new opportunity{{Cite web|title=Farewell, George Blackwood! {{!}} Adelaide United|url=https://www.adelaideunited.com.au/video/farewell-george-blackwood|access-date=2020-08-26|website=www.adelaideunited.com.au}}
= Oldham Athletic =
On 6 September 2020, Blackwood signed with Oldham Athletic on a two-year deal.{{Cite web|title=SIGNING: Blackwood Becomes A Latic|url=https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2020/september/06092020-george-blackwoods-joins-latics/|access-date=2020-09-06|website=www.oldhamathletic.co.uk|language=en-gb}} Blackwood scored his first goal for Oldham on 3 November 2020 which saw the team go on to win the game 2–1.{{Cite web|last=Binks|first=Elliott|title=OLYROO OFF THE MARK FOR LATICS IN 'FANTASTIC' WIN|url=https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/olyroo-off-the-mark-for-latics-in-fantastic-win-555502|access-date=4 August 2021|website=FTBL}} Blackwood developed a fracture in his back which saw a lack of appearances for the English club.{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=Josh|date=23 April 2021|title='I couldn't do anything' - George Blackwood's tough first season in England ending with silver lining|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/football/news/i-couldnt-do-anything-george-blackwoods-tough-first-season-in-england-ending-with-silver-lining/rsfttgafvsw8zeid0qp4nd9k|access-date=4 August 2021|website=Sporting News}} Following the conclusion of the 2020–21 EFL League Two season, the club had announced that they had mutually agreed to terminate his contract, Blackwood then returned to Australia.{{Cite web|last=Geldard|first=Suzanne|date=30 June 2021|title=Oldham confirm departure of Australian striker George Blackwood|url=https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/sport/latics/19409242.oldham-confirm-departure-australian-striker-george-blackwood/|access-date=4 August 2021|website=The Oldham Times}}
= Return to Adelaide United =
Blackwood returned to Adelaide United on 2 August 2021 signing a two-year deal.{{Cite web|date=2 August 2021|title=Botic signs with A-League's Western Utd|url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/botic-signs-leagues-western-utd-074049708.html|access-date=4 August 2021|website=Yahoo Sports}} In his first game back for the club, Blackwood dispatched a penalty in a Round of 32 match of the 2021 FFA Cup against Floreat Athena.{{Cite web|last=Filosi|first=Gianluca|date=26 September 2021|title=FFA Cup 2021 Round of 32 Report: Floreat Athena 1-3 (aet) Adelaide United|url=https://www.adelaideunited.com.au/news/ffa-cup-2021-round-32-match-report-floreat-athena-vs-adelaide-united|access-date=27 September 2021|website=Adelaide United|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927020214/https://www.adelaideunited.com.au/news/ffa-cup-2021-round-32-match-report-floreat-athena-vs-adelaide-united|url-status=dead}}
Following a poor season Blackwood was released by the club on the 4th of July 2023.{{Cite web |url=https://adelaideunited.com.au/news/blackwood-kasumovic-to-leave-reds/ |title=Blackwood, Kasumović to leave Reds |website=adelaideunited.com.au |date=2023-07-04 |access-date=2024-06-18}} He was unable to find any clubs in Australia interested in signing him and departed for Indonesia.
= Bhayangkara FC =
On 9 November 2023, Blackwood joins Bhayangkara FC in Liga 1.{{cite web |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Aleague/comments/17ror77/former_sydney_fc_adelaide_united_player_george/ |title=Former Sydney FC & Adelaide United player George Blackwood signs for Bhayangkara Presisi in Indonesia's first division. |date=10 November 2023 |accessdate=21 November 2023 |publisher=Reddit |work=Kristorpha}}{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CzbA_pwyoq-/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== |title=Welcome @zulfahmiarifin23 @george_blackwood @arifsatria_28 Kita sama-sama berjuang untuk panji-panji The Guardian! |publisher=Via Instagram |work=Bhayangkara FC |date=9 November 2023}} On the same day, he made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Rans Nusantara, coming substitute for Sani Rizki Fauzi in the 67th minute.
Blackwood was released from his contract shortly after his debut.{{cite web |title= Skuad Borongan ala Bhayangkara FC Langsung Dikenalkan Bersama, Pemain Asing Langsung Debut Starter |url= https://wow.tribunnews.com/2023/11/09/skuad-borongan-ala-bhayangkara-fc-langsung-dikenalkan-bersama-pemain-asing-langsung-debut-starter |website=Tribunnews |access-date=9 November 2023 |language=id}}
= Balzan FC =
Having been released by Bhayangkara FC almost as soon as his contract began, Blackwood failed to find a new contract within Indonesia or back home in Australia. In January 2024, it was announced that he had signed for Maltese Premier League club Balzan F.C.{{cite web |last1=Camilleri |first1=Valhmor |title=Balzan FC sign Australian striker George Blackwood |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/balzan-fc-sign-australian-striker-george-blackwood.1079739 |publisher=Times Of Malta |access-date=27 January 2024}} Blackwood's contract was not extended and was terminated from Balzan in July 2024.
International career
Blackwood was first selected for the Australian under-20 team for the 2014 AFF U-19 Youth Championship in September 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-hills/sport/berowras-george-blackwood-selected-for-young-socceroos/news-story/4a474182d3eb4ffa3115487269cdb534|title=Berowra's George Blackwood selected for young Socceroos|date=1 September 2014|access-date=13 September 2016|author=Thedosiou, Peter|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}
In March 2015, Blackwood was called up to the Australian under-23 team to replace injured Sydney FC teammate Terry Antonis for 2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification.{{cite news|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/03/23/antonis-yeboah-out-olyroos-squad|title=Antonis, Yeboah out of Olyroos squad|publisher=The World Game|date=23 March 2015|access-date=13 September 2016}}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|21 May 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4" valign="center"|Sydney FC
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2015–16
|A-League |14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 1 | |
| 2016–17
|A-League |2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Sydney FC total | 19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 26 | 1 |
| rowspan=4|Adelaide United
|A-League |24 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 6 | |
| 2018–19
|A-League |19 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 4 | |
| 2019–20
|A-League |21 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 6 | |
| colspan=2|Adelaide total | 64 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 16 |
| Oldham Athletic
|13 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | |
| rowspan="3" |Adelaide United
|A-League Men |17 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 6 | |
| 2022–23
|A-League Men |19 |2 |3 |1 |0 |0 |22 |3 | ||||||||
| colspan=2|Adelaide total | 36 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 9 |
| colspan="3" |Career total | 132 | 24 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 154 | 29 |
Honours
= Club =
= Country =
- AFF U-19 Youth Championship: 2016{{cite news|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2016/09/25/young-socceroos-cruise-aff-u-19-championship-win|publisher=The World Game|access-date=25 September 2016|date=25 September 2016|title=Young Socceroos cruise to AFF U-19 Championship win|author=Houghton, Nick}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
= Individual =
- National Youth League Player of the Year: 2014–15{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/a-league/johnny-warren-medal-201415-phoenix-striker-nathan-burns-wins-top-gong-at-aleague-awards/news-story/37ca91c597f4543e0697d7d92ed7b520|title=Johnny Warren Medal 2014–15: Phoenix striker Nathan Burns wins top gong at A-League awards|author=Smithies, Tom|date=12 May 2015|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=13 September 2016}}
- AFF U-19 Youth Championship Golden Boot: 2016
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|george-blackwood/383515}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20161011171038/http://www.sydneyfc.com/player/george-blackwood/10u3p3c34dpp71f7ehm9rpnnc6 George Blackwood profile] at SydneyFC.com
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blackwood, George}}
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Australian men's soccer players
Category:Australian people of English descent
Category:Adelaide United FC players
Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players
Category:Bhayangkara Presisi Indonesia F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Liga 1 (Indonesia) players
Category:Australia men's under-20 international soccer players
Category:Soccer players from Sydney
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Indonesia
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Indonesia