George Friend

Exeter City

Friend was born in Barnstaple, Devon. He began his career at then non-League Exeter City as a youth team player, signing a two-year professional contract in March 2006. Able to play left back, centre-back or left-sided midfield, he made his first-team debut on 17 April 2006 in a 0–0 draw at Forest Green Rovers. His Exeter career took off in the 2007–08 season when he was integral to the side that won promotion to the Football League after defeating Cambridge United in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium. During that season he became the youngest ever captain in Exeter's history and scored his first goal for the club in a 4–4 draw with Burton Albion on 26 April 2008.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

After playing in Exeter's opening matches in the Football League, he moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship on 1 September 2008, signing a two-year contract, with the option of a third year, for an initial fee of £350,000. He made six first team appearances for Wolves during the 2008–09 season as they were promoted to the Premier League as champions. To gain regular playing time, he spent a month's loan at League One club Millwall during August to September 2009, before returning to Wolves. He soon went out on a month's loan again on 18 September to another League One club, Southend United, where he scored his first league goal with a free-kick against Southampton. After a proposed extension to his stay with Southend was cancelled due to the…

On 28 February 2024, Friend announced his retirement from football with immediate effect, remaining with Bristol Rovers to take on the role of Director of Football. On 31 March 2025, the club announced that Friend would be departing his role at the end of the 2024–25 season.

As of match played 10 February 2024

Exeter City

Conference Premier play-offs: 2008 Middlesbrough

Football League Championship runner-up: 2015–16 Individual

PFA Team of the Year: 2014–15 Championship, 2015–16 Championship Football League Team of the Season: 2015–16 Doncaster Rovers Player of the Year: 2011–12