An England amateur international, George Atkinson was a one-club man, playing as an amateur with Bishop Auckland throughout his career. A centre-half he made his England amateur début in the 9-0 win over Wales at Merthyr in January 1920 and later in the year he played in Great Briain’s only match, against Norway, at the Antwerp Olympics. The following year he won an Amateur Cup winners’ medal when Bishop Auckland beat Swindon Victoria 4-2 and in 1922 he won another winners’ medal after a 5-2 extra time win over South Bank. After retiring from playing, George became honorary secretary of the club he had played for all his career.