One of two men to win full international honours whilst playing exclusively for Hamlet, Edgar was born in Camberwell on November 26th 1900 and was an all-round sportsman. The earliest newspaper coverage of him is at an athletics meeting. He was a talented cricketer, though he focused on football later in life, representing Hamlet at both sports. Edgar, who lived at various addresses locally, twice represented England Schoolboys at football in 1915.

Experience of adult football, whilst a boy, during World War One aided his development. Perhaps fortunately he turned 18 just too late to serve. Edgar and Hamlet rose to national prominence post war. England amateur recognition followed; he won 21 caps. In 1929 Edgar was selected for an England touring squad and won three full caps. England defeated France 4-1 and Belgium 5-1 before losing 4-3 to Spain. Edgar scored twice versus France. He wouldn’t represent England again but was twice Reserve for internationals later in 1929.

Edgar married Irene Ramsey, daughter of Hamlet’s groundsman Dal Ramsey, at St John’s, Goose Green in 1926. Their son, Colin, would play rugby union to a very high standard.

After retirement from football in 1934, Edgar served on Hamlet’s committee.

Professionally he worked as a sports journalist and in the alcohol industry, eventually relocating to Scotland.

Edgar is a footnote in Scottish football history as one of the first Englishmen to represent Queen’s Park. They invited him to represent them as a guest player. He also signed amateur forms for Chelsea, but didn’t represent them. Edgar died in Ayrshire in 1976.

Edgar will go down in history as the last man exclusively on the books of a non-league club to represent England. Contrary to what is sometimes stated, he was not the last amateur. That was Bernard Joy.

Honours: England Full Caps (3), Amateur Caps (21), England Schools (2). Amateurs v Professionals (9). FA XI (8). Isthmian League (26). FA Amateur Cup winners medals 1919-20, 1931-32

Entered 2024/25

Image by kind permission of Jack McInroy

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