A former Wesley College football captain, Bickford played five games in his first season - 1945 - and was recognised as the Most Improved Player of 1946. In 1948, Bickford was one of four players to represent Melbourne in all games - including the heart-stopping drawn Grand Final. He was one of the best in the Demons’ terrific win in the replay against Essendon.
High praise and recognition came in 1949, when the Club’s annual report stated that Melbourne’s centre line, ‘comprising Jackson, Bickford and Dockett, [was] ranked, by some experts, as the best centre line Melbourne has ever had’.
Bickford missed only one game in 1950, played his 100th game in 1951, and was named vice-captain to captain Denis Cordner in 1951 and 1952.
The 1952 annual report noted that: ‘Mr George Bickford again occupied the position of Vice-Captain, and with 126 games to his credit, in this respect, is the veteran of the team. George’s fine centre play has been a feature of Melbourne’s football over the past six years and has earned the praise of all.’
George was named as a ‘Hero’ of the Club during its 150th celebrations in 2008. His son, Stephen, also played senior football with Melbourne, and served the Club as a Director, continuing the family’s long record of service with the Melbourne Football Club.
