George Beel

George Beel (26 February 1900 – 30 December 1980) was a professional footballer who played as a centre forward. He holds Burnley's records for both the most league goals in a single season and the highest number of goals for the club.

During the First World War, Beel was based in Blackpool and would regularly play for the club in the Wartime league. During this period, he caught the attention of Manchester United and in 1919 they offered him a trial. He was not offered a contract and returned home to play for Lincoln City in October the same year. He scored 6 goals in 23 league games who then moved to South Wales after signing for Merthyr Town.

He scored 19 league goals in his first season, then scored 24 over the next two seasons before having his best spell. He found the net 24 times in the 1926–27 season and then the 1927–28 season saw Beel score 35 goals in 39 appearances, a club record for most goals in a season that still remains today.

He scored ten league hat-tricks as he scored 142 goals in 252 First Division matches. He would never play in the top flight again spending his last two seasons at Burnley in the Second Division, where he scored a further 37 goals. He scored his 11th and last hat-trick for Burnley in February 1931 against Wolves in a 4–2 home win. He later became the manager of Maidstone United, remaining with the Kent club in various capacities, including junior coaching, until his death on 30 December 1980, aged 80.