Charles Robert Edwards

Charles Robert Edwards (Bob) was born January 11, 1891 in Brandon, Co. Durham. Bob's father, Charles, was born 1850 in Bagillt, Flintshire, Wales.

In the 1911 census Charles was a widower, age 60, with 4 children still living at home, including a married daughter and her husband and son. Charles and Bob, age 20, were coal miners. They lived at 13, Hunter's Terrace, Edmondsley, Co. Durham.

Charles Robert Edwards standing left, brother James Edwards seated, George Jackson, brother- in- law, standing right

Bob enlisted February 15, 1915 at the Recruiting Office, 9, Grainger Street, Newcastle. He joined the 1st Tyneside Scottish, 20th Northumberland Fusiliers and by his discharge March 31, 1919 he was Acting Corporal 20/1489. Bob was 5' 10 1/2" tall.

Bob was a keen goalkeeper, winning his first medal aged 10. He later combined his job as a miner with playing football in local leagues in Durham. A match report in the Durham Advertiser February 5, 1915 mentions Bob's "splendid goalkeeping" for Sacriston United in the Durham Central League, and also says that "no less than 17 players from Sacriston United have enlisted".

Bob suffered from the effects of a gas attack. He was in Burnley on his return to England and there met and married Maggie Blakey in March 1919.

Following trials, Bob was signed by Burnley F.C. for the1919/1920 season, combining his work as a miner with playing football. 1920/1921 season he received lots of glowing match reports playing for Tranmere Rovers. Bob then played 2 seasons for Durham City in the Third Division North. 1923 - 1926 Bob was first choice goalkeeper with Spennymoor United, then in the North Eastern League, which was professional.

Bob later left mining and became a civil servant. He played bowls for Spennymoor, and was involved with the Amateur Operatic Society.

Bob also served on the committee of Spennymoor United and scouted for Burnley F. C.

Bob is the grandfather of Geoffrey Carr of Aycliffe.