Willis Edwards
Willis Edwards ( born April 28, 1903 in Derbyshire, England; † September 27, 1988 in Leeds ) was an English football player and coach. In 24 years of professional career, Edwards played for Chesterfield FC and Leeds United. He also played 16 games for the German national football team on the right half position.
Career
Willis Edwards was born in the small town of Newton, Derbyshire near Chesterfield and played at a young age for his local team, Newton Rangers.
Chesterfield FC
The Rangers could not last long and he made it to a " trial run " at the first division club Blackburn Rovers him. However, he signed before he had set out to test at the Rovers, FC Chesterfield. The club played in this time in the Midland Football League, until in 1921, which was introduced Football League Third Division. In 1919 he made his debut for the Spireites, at the age of 16, against Grimsby Town. In the season 1919/20, managed the football club for the second time Midland Football League to become champion. Other achievements during his time at Chesterfield FC in the Third Division remained out however.
Leeds United
After six years, the first time threw the club Sheffield United, then playing in the Football League First Division, keep an eye on Edwards, he was not included. In the same year, he joined the club Leeds United, who at the time were in a dip in form. The Whites lost behind the other nine games and had to fight for their position in the First Division.
Your manager Arthur Fairclough saw the future of the club in young players and committed at the time many young talents, among them Willis Edwards. He integrated in the following years in the team and was a central figure. During the war, Edwards stopped his use in the club and returned to the end of the war back. Edwards completed until 1943, when he finished his playing career over 400 games and scored six goals for Leeds United.
On 1 March 1926 he made his debut for the English national football team against Wales. This was the first of a total of 16 international appearances, of which he was captain in five games.
After his departure as a player he began working as an assistant coach of the reserve team. In 1947, Billy Hampson, coach of the first team, fired after the descent of the club and Edwards took over the post. He should get the team back into the first division, but success did not come. The team was able to keep with the 18th place at the end of the season just before a new descent. After an unsuccessful year took over "Major" Frank Buckley, the position of Edwards and this was again an assistant coach. In 1960, after 35 years, he finally ended his activities for the club.
In his last Edwars worked in a jam factory, he died on 27 September 1988 at the age of 85 in Leeds.
Swell
- Edwards on www.mightyleeds.co.uk
- Edwards on www.youandyesterday.co.uk