Playing Career
Vital Statistics
- Born
- Wednesday, 10th February, 1943
- Died
- Wednesday, 10th December, 1986 (Aged 43 years and 303 days)
- Place Of Birth
- Thursday Island, Queensland, Australia
Known Family Links
- Brother
- John Ambrum
Biography
Nuggety Cairns (Queensland) centre was signed by Norths, along with older brother Johnny, after being recommended to the club by champion Aboriginal athlete and former Leeds footballer Wally McArthur in 1963. Ambrum spent several seasons in the lower grades before cementing a first grade spot as a winger in the late 1960s. The likeable Thursday Islander became a crowd favourite with Norths fans and spent a highly successful stint with Bradford Northern in 1967-68 (Ambrum captained the English club against the Kangaroos that winter). Despite not having played for City or NSW in 1972 Ambrum was selected for Australia as a winger in 1972’s Trans Tasman series. He earned the distinction of scoring a try with his first touch of the ball in international football – the first of a double in Australia’s 36-11 win in the First Test. Ambrum played in both Tests against NZ that year but a knee cartilage operation robbed him of the chance to play in the World Cup at year's end. After his Sydney career ended, Ambrum joined Cessnock in the Newcastle competition and won a premiership with the club in 1977. Sadly, he passed away while playing touch football at Cessnock in 1986 aged just 43.
- ALAN WHITICKER
Additional Notes
George's DOB has been reported also as 15 Jan 1943.
Playing Career Statistics
All statistics shown in this section are based only on data available in the RLP database, and are not necessarily a complete and/or 100% accurate representation of a player's career. This information should be used as a guide only. If you see a question mark (?), it denotes that the figure is not available.
To view a list of corresponding matches, click on the List button.
Competitions | ||||||||||||||
Competition | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Craven Mild Cup | 34 | 10 | - | - | 30 | 16 | 15 | 3 | 47.06% | List | ||||
NRL | 158 | 54 | - | 1 | 164 | 53 | 97 | 8 | 33.54% | List | ||||
Endeavour Cup | 2 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50.00% | List | ||||
Tour Matches | Australia | 2 | 2 | - | - | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | |||
Test Series | 2 | 2 | - | - | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
City vs Country Firsts | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
National Panasonic Cup | 1 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
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Test Matches - By Team | ||||||||||||||
Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | |||
Australia | 1972 | 2 | 2 | - | - | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | |||
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Australia - By Team | ||||||||||||||
Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | |||
NSW City Seconds | 1969, 1973 | 2 | 3 | - | - | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50.00% | List | |||
NSW City Firsts | 1973 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | |||
Newcastle (AU) | 1975 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | |||
Overall | 1969-1975 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.00% | List | |||
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NRL/NSWRL - By Year | ||||||||||||||
Team | Season | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | |||
North Sydney | NSWRFL 1966 | 18 | 6 | - | - | 18 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 38.89% | List | |||
North Sydney | NSWRFL 1967 | 20 | 5 | - | - | 15 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 35.00% | List | |||
North Sydney | NSWRFL 1968 | 17 | 3 | - | 1 | 11 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 23.53% | List | |||
North Sydney | NSWRFL 1969 | 18 | 10 | - | - | 30 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 50.00% | List | |||
North Sydney | NSWRFL 1970 | 20 | 6 | - | - | 18 | 6 | 13 | 1 | 30.00% | List | |||
North Sydney | NSWRFL 1971 | 19 | 7 | - | - | 21 | 4 | 14 | 1 | 21.05% | List | |||
North Sydney | NSWRFL 1972 | 20 | 14 | - | - | 42 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 35.00% | List | |||
North Sydney | NSWRFL 1973 | 21 | 2 | - | - | 6 | 7 | 13 | 1 | 33.33% | List | |||
North Sydney | NSWRFL 1974 | 5 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 40.00% | List | |||
NRL/NSWRL - By Team | ||||||||||||||
Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | |||
North Sydney | 1966-74 | 158 | 54 | - | 1 | 164 | 53 | 97 | 8 | 33.54% | List |
Contributions:
Greg Fiveash, Andrew Ferguson, Shawn Dollin, Rugby League Tables, Alan Katzmann, Paul Carter, Alan Whiticker, AJ Lucantonio
Your Say
04/04/2012
I had the privilege of meeting George when he came to Cessnock, a great person both on and off the field.
12/06/2012
Gentleman George - Australian Legend
16/09/2015
As you say George played for Bradford Northern in 1967/8 season and was a sensation on the left wing at Odsal appearing to run through opponents. I will try and get his records for that season from the club historian. I recently came across a photo of him leading the team out so it may be against the Australian tourists when he captained the side. I can send this as an attachment if you let me have your email.
02/08/2016
I meant George when he used to do the recycled paper run near my home when I was a kid he was such a nice person pity he went so quickly
25/04/2020
George was a great clubman he taught kids in Bradford how to play the game.ran training classes and doubt he got paid gentleman in all ways club favourite .was sorry to hear about his passing
13/06/2020
Tom Bain.....George was a great player and a great person. He was our hero and someone to look up to. He of course played for the North Sydney Bears (the team I still love). When I went to Mosman Highschool, North Sydney Bears supplied our football jumpers if changed from rugby union to rugby league for two seasons .We also got to see quite a few of the Norths players. They were good times.
14/03/2021
I was at SCG when George debuted for Australia- he actually scored tries with both his first two touches of ball. Don’t know how he scored his first try : I was standing as he received ball at pace and skirting touch line with three defenders coming across - I sat down figuring he was no chance yet his strength allowed him to stay within bounds yet still beat all defenders on the outside!
20/07/2021
I introduced George to my best friend Jennifer’ when he played for the then Bradford Northern, she went over to Australia o be with him and they were Married over there. I would love to hear from any of their familiy
22/05/2022
Always my favourite bears player.
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