George Stanger
Stanger in 2018
Personal information
Full name George William Stanger[1]
Date of birth (2000-08-15) 15 August 2000 (age 23)
Place of birth Melrose, Scotland
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Ayr United
Number 14
Youth career
–2018 Stirling Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2021 Hamilton Academical 8 (0)
2018 → Stirling Albion (loan) 11 (0)
2019 → East Kilbride (loan) 0 (0)
2020 → Forfar Athletic (loan) 4 (0)
2021–2022 University of Stirling
2022 → Dumbarton (loan) 10 (1)
2022–2023 Alloa Athletic 33 (3)
2023– Ayr United 3 (0)
International career
2019 New Zealand U20 4 (0)
2019– New Zealand U23 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 08:10, 8 September 2023 (UTC)

George William Stanger (born 15 August 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Ayr United.

Born in Scotland, Stanger has represented New Zealand at youth level, including appearing at the Olympics.

Early and personal life

Stanger's father is former Scottish International rugby union player Tony Stanger, and his mother Bid is from Auckland, New Zealand.[2] George was born in Melrose in the Scottish Borders; the family eventually settled in Dunblane.[2][3][4]

Club career

Stanger began his career with Stirling Albion, joining Hamilton Academical in January 2018 before being loaned back to Stirling Albion for the rest of the season, making his senior debut in Scottish League Two.[4][3][5][6] During the 2018–19 campaign he played for Hamilton's youth teams, including in the Scottish Challenge Cup and the UEFA Youth League.[7][4][6]

In the summer 2019 transfer window, he was linked with a move away from Hamilton.[8] He made his first professional-level start for the club in the Scottish Premiership on 24 August, a 3–1 home defeat to Motherwell in the Lanarkshire derby.[6][9]

In September 2019 he moved on loan to East Kilbride.[10] In January 2020 he moved on loan to Forfar Athletic.[11]

He was released by Hamilton in October 2021[12] and joined University of Stirling in the Lowland Football League, before signing for Scottish League One side Dumbarton on loan in February 2022.[13] He scored his first goal in senior football for the Sons in a 3–2 defeat to Airdrieonians in April 2022[14] but turned down a new deal following the club's relegation to Scottish League Two.[15]

Stanger signed for Alloa Athletic in July 2022.[16] After one season with Alloa, Stanger moved to Ayr United in June 2023.[17]

International career

Stanger represented New Zealand at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[2][18][4][6] In June 2021 he was called up to New Zealand's squad for the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics.[19]

References

  1. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019: List of Players: New Zealand" (PDF). FIFA. 13 June 2019. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Palmer, Mark (21 April 2019). "George Stanger plots different path to sporting glory than famous father". The Sunday Times.
  3. ^ a b Aiden Smith (17 November 2018). "Interview: Scotland rugby hero Tony Stanger on why he loves football". The Scotsman. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d Joel Sked (28 May 2019). "Scotland could miss out on Hamilton starlet starring at Fifa U20 World Cup – and son of Scottish rugby royalty". The Scotsman. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  5. ^ George Stanger at Soccerbase
  6. ^ a b c d "New Zealand – G. Stanger – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com.
  7. ^ "Hamilton Accies UEFA Youth League adventure continues after dramatic penalty victory over Basel". Daily Record. 24 October 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Hamilton youngster George Stanger set for loan move amid Leeds United interest". Evening Times. 19 August 2019.
  9. ^ Hamilton Academical 1–3 Motherwell: Visitors claim first league victory, BBC Sport, 24 August 2019
  10. ^ "George Stanger Goes On Loan To East Kilbride". Hamilton Academical Website. 3 September 2019.
  11. ^ Roache, Ian. "Forfar boss Stuart Malcolm signs defender George Stanger on loan from Hamilton".
  12. ^ @acciesfc (4 October 2021). "Defender George Stanger, 21, has been released by the club. After representing New Zealand in the Olympics in July…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ "Dumbarton Football Club – GEORGE STANGER ARRIVES ON LOAN". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  14. ^ "Airdrieonians v Dumbarton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  15. ^ "Dumbarton Football Club – GEORGE MOVES ON". www.dumbartonfootballclub.com. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  16. ^ "Triple signing confirmed". Alloa Athletic FC. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  17. ^ "George Stanger Joins the Honest Men". Ayr United FC. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  18. ^ "Son of Scottish rugby hero playing for New Zealand at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup". Stuff. 2 June 2019.
  19. ^ "Tokyo Olympics: OlyWhites and Football Ferns teams announced". New Zealand Herald.


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