George Philip (born 29 July 1878) was a Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Heart of Midlothian, Portsmouth and Dundee.
Raised in the west end of Edinburgh, he was contracted to Hearts for eight years, though only played regularly in three seasons,(Hearts player) George Philip, London Hearts Supporters ClubPhilip George Image 1 Heart of Midlothian 1905, Vintage Footballers being the most frequently used of several 'goalies' tried out during 1900–01, before being loaned out to non-league Cowdenbeath when George McWattie joined the club and acting as back-up to McWattie until 1904. He became the starting 'keeper for two years, only to lose the place after the arrival of Tom Allan. However despite this lack of consistent selection, he managed to claim two winner's medals in the Scottish Cup, in 1901 and 1906.Football. Association Game In Scotland. Scottish Cup–Final Tie, The Glasgow Herald, 22 April 1907The History of Heart of Midlothian Football Club 1904 - 1914, Heart of Midlothian FC
After his Hearts spell, it was reported in May 1906 that Philip had signed for Plymouth Argyle.Still They Go. The Scottish Referee, 18 May 1906. Scan via London Hearts Supporters Club In 1911 it was noted retrospectively that he had in fact been with Portsmouth making him one of several men brought to the South Coast via former Hearts player Albert Buick (and Plymouth therefore merely a confusion between the club names). He is recorded as playing at least once for Pompey in the Southern League against Swindon TownMatch Report Portsmouth 1–0 Swindon Town Swindon-Town-FC. Retrieved 30 March 2022 (Fred Cook played in the return fixture) but probably featured more often, as a squad summary listed him as the club's only goalkeeper for the start of the 1906–07 season.Southern Football Players (from Leng's Football Handbook), Berkshire Chronicle, 25 August 1906, via Play Up Liverpool
In 1908 he returned to Scotland and joined Dundee – at Dens Park it is known that he was a reserve behind Bob Crumley, playing in only six Scottish Football League fixtures in three seasonsGeorge Phillip Player Profile, Dee Archive. Retrieved 26 February 2022 (an outfield player of the same name also joined the club in that period).George Phillip Player Profile [defender / forward], Dee Archive. Retrieved 30 March 2022
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