George Edwards (2 December 1920 – 21 October 2008) was a Welsh international footballer. After making his Football League debut for Swansea Town, his career was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War. He turned professional with Birmingham City in 1944 before joining Cardiff City four years later.
Born in Treherbert, Edwards began his football career at Swansea Town as an amateur and made his debut in the Football League at the end of the 1938–39 season. During the early years of the Second World War, he continued to study for a degree at Swansea University while still playing for Swansea Town. Called up to serve in the RAF, he was stationed in the Midlands, and guested for Coventry City on a number of occasions.
In December 1948 he returned to Wales to sign for Cardiff City for £12,000. He made his debut in a 2–2 draw with Leicester City before scoring on his home debut in a 6–1 victory over Bradford Park Avenue. He helped the Bluebirds to promotion as Second Division runners-up in the 1951–52 season and began forming a partnership with striker Wilf Grant. He decided to retire in 1955 while still first choice for Cardiff.[2]
International careeredit
Edwards first represented his country as an amateur in 1938, and played for Wales in wartime internationals and for Services representative sides. He made his debut for Wales in their first post-war international match, a 3–1 victory over Scotland in October 1946, and won a total of twelve full caps during his career, scoring two goals.[3]
Outside footballedit
Edwards continued his studies while a Birmingham player, completing a thesis on the history of the 'Daucleddau Coalfield', a major part of the Pembrokeshire Coalfield, to gain an MA degree from the University of Birmingham.[1][4] In his later years as a Cardiff City player, he began a business career, working part-time for an oil company. In 1957 he was invited to join the board of directors of Cardiff City, a directorship which he held for twenty-five years in two spells. He wrote a Sunday newspaper column, reported on Cardiff City matches for the BBC, and was a magistrate in Cardiff for many years. He was active on the Sports Council for Wales (now Sport Wales) from its establishment in 1972, and within the Football Association of Wales.[3][5][6]
Edwards was married to Pat, and had no children. He died in Llandough Hospital, Cardiff, on 21 October 2008 at the age of 87.[5][6]
Referencesedit
^ abcMatthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. 85, 240. ISBN978-1-85983-010-9.
^Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. 54–55. ISBN1-85983-462-0.
^Connop-Price 2004. Pembrokeshire: the forgotten coalfield Landmark Publishing, Ashbourne, Derbyshire
^ ab. Cardiff City F.C. 23 October 2008. Archived from the original on 25 October 2008.
^ abEvans, Catherine Mary (23 October 2008). "Tributes to City and Wales star who loved sport". South Wales Echo. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
External linksedit
"George Edwards". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Transfer Database. Neil Brown.
January 01, 1970
george, edwards, welsh, footballer, george, edwards, december, 1920, october, 2008, welsh, international, footballer, after, making, football, league, debut, swansea, town, career, interrupted, outbreak, second, world, turned, professional, with, birmingham, c. George Edwards 2 December 1920 21 October 2008 was a Welsh international footballer After making his Football League debut for Swansea Town his career was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War He turned professional with Birmingham City in 1944 before joining Cardiff City four years later George EdwardsPersonal informationFull nameGeorge Edwards 1 Date of birth 1920 12 02 2 December 1920Place of birthkilgetty WalesDate of death21 October 2008 2008 10 21 aged 87 Place of deathCardiff WalesPosition s Outside leftSenior career YearsTeamApps Gls 1938 1939Swansea Town2 0 1944 1948Birmingham City84 9 1948 1955Cardiff City194 34 International career1946 1949Wales12 2 Club domestic league appearances and goals He represented Wales at international level winning twelve caps Contents 1 Football career 1 1 Club career 1 2 International career 2 Outside football 3 References 4 External linksFootball career editClub career edit Born in Treherbert Edwards began his football career at Swansea Town as an amateur and made his debut in the Football League at the end of the 1938 39 season During the early years of the Second World War he continued to study for a degree at Swansea University while still playing for Swansea Town Called up to serve in the RAF he was stationed in the Midlands and guested for Coventry City on a number of occasions He turned professional with Birmingham City in 1944 contributing to the club winning the championship of the Football League South wartime league and reaching the semi final of the FA Cup in the 1945 46 season and winning the Second Division title in the 1947 48 season 1 In December 1948 he returned to Wales to sign for Cardiff City for 12 000 He made his debut in a 2 2 draw with Leicester City before scoring on his home debut in a 6 1 victory over Bradford Park Avenue He helped the Bluebirds to promotion as Second Division runners up in the 1951 52 season and began forming a partnership with striker Wilf Grant He decided to retire in 1955 while still first choice for Cardiff 2 International career edit Edwards first represented his country as an amateur in 1938 and played for Wales in wartime internationals and for Services representative sides He made his debut for Wales in their first post war international match a 3 1 victory over Scotland in October 1946 and won a total of twelve full caps during his career scoring two goals 3 Outside football editEdwards continued his studies while a Birmingham player completing a thesis on the history of the Daucleddau Coalfield a major part of the Pembrokeshire Coalfield to gain an MA degree from the University of Birmingham 1 4 In his later years as a Cardiff City player he began a business career working part time for an oil company In 1957 he was invited to join the board of directors of Cardiff City a directorship which he held for twenty five years in two spells He wrote a Sunday newspaper column reported on Cardiff City matches for the BBC and was a magistrate in Cardiff for many years He was active on the Sports Council for Wales now Sport Wales from its establishment in 1972 and within the Football Association of Wales 3 5 6 Edwards was married to Pat and had no children He died in Llandough Hospital Cardiff on 21 October 2008 at the age of 87 5 6 References edit a b c Matthews Tony 1995 Birmingham City A Complete Record Derby Breedon Books pp 85 240 ISBN 978 1 85983 010 9 Hayes Dean 2006 The Who s Who of Cardiff City Derby Breedon Books pp 54 55 ISBN 1 85983 462 0 a b News George Edwards Football Association of Wales 22 October 2008 Archived from the original on 27 May 2011 Retrieved 3 December 2013 Connop Price 2004 Pembrokeshire the forgotten coalfield Landmark Publishing Ashbourne Derbyshire a b In memory George Edwards Cardiff City F C 23 October 2008 Archived from the original on 25 October 2008 a b Evans Catherine Mary 23 October 2008 Tributes to City and Wales star who loved sport South Wales Echo Retrieved 3 December 2013 External links edit George Edwards Post War English amp Scottish Football League A Z Player s Transfer Database Neil Brown Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title George Edwards Welsh footballer amp oldid 1184271011, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
