Edwin Cross
Encyclopedia
Edwin Alfred Cross was a Welsh amateur footballer who played most of his football career with Wrexham, with whom he won the inaugural Welsh Cup
in 1878. Playing at half back
, he also made two appearances for Wales
in 1876 and 1877.
, Cross was a keen cricketer and a member of the Wrexham Cricket Club. On 28 September 1872, in search of a sporting activity for the winter months, he attended a meeting held at the Turf Hotel in Wrexham, which led to the formation of the Wrexham Association Football Club.
Four years later, he attended the inaugural meeting of the Football Association of Wales
held at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel, Wrexham on 2 February 1876. He also took part in trials organized by Llewelyn Kenrick
to select Welsh players to represent their country in a match against Scotland
. The match
was played at Hamilton Crescent
, Partick
, the home of the West of Scotland Cricket Club on 25 March 1876, with Cross playing at right-half in a 2–2–6 formation. The Welsh were well defeated, conceding four goals without reply.
The return match came on 5 March 1877 at the Racecourse Ground
, Wrexham
, with Cross, described as "an energetic half-back", playing at centre-half; the Scots were again victorious, winning 2–0.
Later that year, he was part of the Wrexham team that entered the inaugural
Welsh Cup
tournament. After defeating the local Civil Service in the first round, they had victories over Oswestry and Gwersyllt Foresters (8–0). With only three teams remaining in the tournament at this stage, Wrexham received a bye to the final, at Acton Park, Wrexham
, on 30 March 1878 between Wrexham and Druids
from Ruabon
. The match was a cliffhanger, with no score until the Wrexham forwards charged the Druids' defenders to take the ball over the line to win the game in the final minute, with James Davies being credited with the goal.
The following year
, Wrexham again reached the final of the Cup, this time losing 1–0 to Newtown White Star.
, before becoming an accountant
.
After retiring from playing football in 1879, he continued to as a leading batsman with Wrexham Cricket Club for several years. He died at Old Colwyn, Denbighshire
on 19 January 1924.
His nephew, also E A Cross, was later a director of Wrexham Football Club and an alderman
in the town.
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
in 1878. Playing at half back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, he also made two appearances for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
in 1876 and 1877.
Football career
Born in WrexhamWrexham
Wrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England...
, Cross was a keen cricketer and a member of the Wrexham Cricket Club. On 28 September 1872, in search of a sporting activity for the winter months, he attended a meeting held at the Turf Hotel in Wrexham, which led to the formation of the Wrexham Association Football Club.
Four years later, he attended the inaugural meeting of the Football Association of Wales
Football Association of Wales
The Football Association of Wales is the governing body of association football in Wales. It is a member of FIFA, UEFA and the IFAB.Established in 1876 , it is the third-oldest national association in the world, and is one of the four associations The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is the...
held at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel, Wrexham on 2 February 1876. He also took part in trials organized by Llewelyn Kenrick
Llewelyn Kenrick
Samuel Llewelyn Kenrick was a Welsh solicitor who became the founder of the Football Association of Wales and organised the first Welsh international football match against Scotland in 1876...
to select Welsh players to represent their country in a match against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. The match
Scotland v Wales (1876)
The first international match for the Wales national football team came on 25 March 1876 when they played Scotland at Hamilton Crescent, Partick, the home of the West of Scotland Cricket Club, with the Scots claiming an emphatic 4–0 victory...
was played at Hamilton Crescent
Hamilton Crescent
Hamilton Crescent is a cricket ground located in the Partick area of Glasgow, Scotland. It is the home of the West of Scotland Cricket Club.Hamilton Crescent is famous for holding the first ever international football match, played between Scotland and England...
, Partick
Partick
Partick is an area of Glasgow on the north bank of the River Clyde, just across from Govan. To the west lies Whiteinch. Partick was a Police burgh from 1852 until 1912 when it was incorporated into the city.-History:...
, the home of the West of Scotland Cricket Club on 25 March 1876, with Cross playing at right-half in a 2–2–6 formation. The Welsh were well defeated, conceding four goals without reply.
The return match came on 5 March 1877 at the Racecourse Ground
Racecourse Ground
The Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium AKA The Racecourse Ground is a stadium located in Wrexham, North Wales. It is the home of Wrexham F.C. and, since 2010, the Crusaders Rugby League team who play in the engage Super League...
, Wrexham
Wrexham
Wrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England...
, with Cross, described as "an energetic half-back", playing at centre-half; the Scots were again victorious, winning 2–0.
Later that year, he was part of the Wrexham team that entered the inaugural
Welsh Cup 1877–78
-First round:-Replay:-Second Replay:Rhosllanerchrugog receive a bye to the next round* Believing that it was a Rugby Union competition Swansea RFC scratched to Aberystwyth when officials learned that it was one for football.-Second round:-Replay:-Third round:-Replay:-Second Replay:Bangor receive bye...
Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
tournament. After defeating the local Civil Service in the first round, they had victories over Oswestry and Gwersyllt Foresters (8–0). With only three teams remaining in the tournament at this stage, Wrexham received a bye to the final, at Acton Park, Wrexham
Wrexham
Wrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England...
, on 30 March 1878 between Wrexham and Druids
Druids F.C.
Ruabon Druids F.C. were a football club based in village of Ruabon near Wrexham. The club was founded in 1869 as Plasmadoc F.C. by David Thomson and his brother, George, of Ruabon...
from Ruabon
Ruabon
Ruabon is a village and community in the county borough of Wrexham in Wales.More than 80% of the population of 2,400 were born in Wales with 13.6% speaking Welsh....
. The match was a cliffhanger, with no score until the Wrexham forwards charged the Druids' defenders to take the ball over the line to win the game in the final minute, with James Davies being credited with the goal.
The following year
Welsh Cup 1878–79
-First round:-Replay:Oswestry receive a bye to the next round-Second round:Newtown receive bye into next round-Third round:-Replay:Wrexham receive bye to next round-Semi Final:-Replay:...
, Wrexham again reached the final of the Cup, this time losing 1–0 to Newtown White Star.
Career outside football
Cross was employed as a clerk with the Alliance Insurance Company in Wrexham and later in ShrewsburyShrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
, before becoming an accountant
Accountant
An accountant is a practitioner of accountancy or accounting , which is the measurement, disclosure or provision of assurance about financial information that helps managers, investors, tax authorities and others make decisions about allocating resources.The Big Four auditors are the largest...
.
After retiring from playing football in 1879, he continued to as a leading batsman with Wrexham Cricket Club for several years. He died at Old Colwyn, Denbighshire
Denbighshire
Denbighshire is a county in north-east Wales. It is named after the historic county of Denbighshire, but has substantially different borders. Denbighshire has the distinction of being the oldest inhabited part of Wales. Pontnewydd Palaeolithic site has remains of Neanderthals from 225,000 years...
on 19 January 1924.
His nephew, also E A Cross, was later a director of Wrexham Football Club and an alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
in the town.
Honours
Wrexham- Welsh CupWelsh CupThe Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
winners: 1878Welsh Cup 1877–78-First round:-Replay:-Second Replay:Rhosllanerchrugog receive a bye to the next round* Believing that it was a Rugby Union competition Swansea RFC scratched to Aberystwyth when officials learned that it was one for football.-Second round:-Replay:-Third round:-Replay:-Second Replay:Bangor receive bye... - Welsh CupWelsh CupThe Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
runners-up: 1879Welsh Cup 1878–79-First round:-Replay:Oswestry receive a bye to the next round-Second round:Newtown receive bye into next round-Third round:-Replay:Wrexham receive bye to next round-Semi Final:-Replay:...