The son of a Cheshire solicitor, George Bancroft followed his father into the legal profession after graduating from Manchester University where he displayed all-round sports skills. As an athlete he was a high jumper, and as a footballer he played in goal for his University. In 1911 whilst still at University he won his only amateur international cap when he played for England in the 4-0 win over Belgium at Crystal Palace. He was named as one of the reserves for the Great Britain squad for the 1912 Stockholm Olympics but did not travel with the main squad. Bancroft served with 5th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry between 1918-20 and then went into practice as a solicitor in Halifax where he remained until his death in 1969.
Great Britain