George Ker (26/02/1860 - 26/02/1922), younger brother of William Ker, who played in the first International, was a Scottish footballer who played mainly for Queen's Park F.C. For Scotland he scored 10 goals in 5 matches. Some of the greatest personalities, spectators and critics, such as John James Bentley and McDowall, rated Ker as the best centre-forward of all-time, long after he had stopped. Indeed, the level George Ker reached was one of the greatest in football history.


JOHN JAMES BENTLEY: I have no hesitation in saying George Ker, who was, I think, the greatest centre-forward I ever saw.


Ker was a very well built player, physically robust and fast. He was also a footballer who was very attentive to the opportunities he received, and always keeping an eye on the goalkeeper.

Ker's technical quality was extraordinary, especially through his quality applied in his dribbling and shooting. Ker was a dribbler who, along with James B. Weir, Ernest Needham and W. N. Cobbold, was nicknamed the "Prince of Dribblers", as his feints, his explosions, his ability to dodge opponents were splendid. He had a beautiful swift way of clinching the ball and gliding round his opponents.

He, moreover, was a master of football craft; always having that artistry, a bag of tricks which could be used. With a single trick, he was away and rushed towards the opponent's gate with impressive speed.

His shots, in turn, were true guided bombs towards the opponent's goal. Ker didn't need to be in range to apply his classic daisy cutters, but from far away he applied impressive shots.


JONATHAN OLDBUCK: Ker's daisy cutters became the terror of goalkeepers. In the 1880 International, he shot from near mid-field and when the ball reached the goal, it landed on the ground and passed Swepstone like a rocket.

WALTER ARNOTT: I shall put it this way: George Ker would score with five out of every six shots. From top to bottom Ker was all whipcord and steel.


Ker, like other versatile footballers in history, such as Hugh Wilson, Jimmy Crabtree and György Orth, quickly adapted to any situation his team was placed in. He played as a full-back, half-back and in other positions as a forward. He was later promoted to the center-forward position, especially paired with players like William MacKinnon or Dr. John Smith. Consequently, Ker clearly stood out as the Spiders' center-forward.

He began his career as a defensive player. However, althought he kept playing as centre-forward at his zenith, he would be seen defending while in the opponent's own half.

He was also a player of impressive judgment, possessing above-average perception. Although he was a more individualistic player, Ker's judgment allowed him to have an exemplary vision of the game, being able to perceive a better positioned teammate. This characteristic, moreover, meant that the Scotsman knew how to judge the moment to finish with his unparalleled quality.


WALTER ARNOTT: Ker would not shoot unless he had a real chance.


These qualities of George Ker, the demon shot, made him a truly dangerous player. In the past, it was very common for Ker to score almost all of his team's goals.