:Edwin Cross
{{Short description|Welsh footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Edwin Cross
|image =
| image_size =
|caption =
|fullname =
|birth_date = c. 1849
|birth_place = Wrexham, Wales
|death_date = {{death date and age|1924|01|19|1848|||df=y}}
|death_place = Old Colwyn, Wales
|height =
|position = Half-back
|youthyears1 =
|youthclubs1 =
|years1 = 1864–1879
|clubs1 = Wrexham
|caps1 =
|goals1 =
|totalcaps =
|totalgoals =
|nationalyears1 = 1876–1877
|nationalteam1 = Wales
|nationalcaps1 = 2
|nationalgoals1 = 0
}}
Edwin Alfred Cross (c. 1849 – 19 January 1924) 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.
Football career
Born in Wrexham, Cross was a keen cricketer and a member of the Wrexham Cricket Club.{{cite book |title=Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players |last1=Davies |first1=Gareth |last2=Garland |first2=Ian |year=1991 |publisher=Bridge Books |isbn=1-872424-11-2|page=30}} On 4 October 1864, 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/page/History/0,,10311~1062217,00.html |title=The History of Wales' Oldest Team |date=19 July 2009 |publisher=Wrexham AFC |access-date=13 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090824184610/http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/page/History/0%2C%2C10311~1062217%2C00.html |archive-date=24 August 2009 |df=dmy }}
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 organised by Llewelyn Kenrick to select Welsh players to represent their country in a match against Scotland.{{cite web |url=http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/heritage/welsh_football/index.htm#y1876 |title=1876 Kenrick's Challenge |website=Wrexham.gov.uk |access-date=13 March 2010}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/heritage/welsh_football/1876programme.htm|title=1876 Programme|website=Wrexham.gov.uk|access-date=13 March 2010}} The Welsh were well defeated, conceding four goals without reply.{{cite web |url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=1 |title=Scotland 4 Wales 0 (25 March 1876) |publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive |access-date=13 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820040849/http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=1 |archive-date=20 August 2009 |url-status=dead }}
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;{{cite web|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=2|title=Wales 0 Scotland 2 (5 March 1877)|publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive|access-date=13 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927031144/http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=2|archive-date=27 September 2011|url-status=dead}} the Scots were again victorious, winning 2–0.{{cite web| url=http://www.londonhearts.com/scotland/games/18770305.html|title=Wales 0 Scotland 2 (5 March 1877)| website=Londonhearts.com |access-date=13 March 2010}}
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,{{cite web|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/welsh_cup.php?id=1|title=Welsh Cup 1877/78|publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive|access-date=13 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417094608/http://www.wfda.co.uk/welsh_cup.php?id=1|archive-date=17 April 2009|url-status=dead}} at Acton Park, Wrexham, on 30 March 1878 between Wrexham and Druids from Ruabon.{{cite web|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=1|title=Welsh Cup Final 1877/78 (30 March 1878)|publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive|access-date=13 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306023009/http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=1|archive-date=6 March 2010|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/heritage/welsh_football/1877_1879.htm#y1877_2|title=1877 Welsh Cup Action |website=Wrexham.gov.uk|access-date=13 March 2010}}{{cite book |title=Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players |page=38}}
The following year, Wrexham again reached the final of the Cup, this time losing 1–0 to Newtown White Star.{{cite web|url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=2|title=Welsh Cup Final 1878/79 (29 March 1879)|publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive|access-date=13 March 2010}}
Career outside football
Cross was employed as a clerk with the Alliance Insurance Company in Wrexham and later in Shrewsbury, before becoming an accountant.
After retiring from playing football in 1879, he continued to play 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.
Honours
=Wrexham=
- Welsh Cup
- Winners: 1877–78{{cite web|url=https://www.welshsoccerarchive.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=1|title=WELSH CUP FINAL 1877/78 : 30 March 1878 at Acton Park, Wrexham : Wrexham 1-0 Druids|website=Welshsoccerachive.co.uk|access-date=1 November 2021}}
- Runners-up:1878-79{{cite web|url=https://www.welshsoccerarchive.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=2|title=WELSH CUP FINAL 1878/79 : 29 March 1879 at the Cricket Field, Oswestry : Newtown White Star 1-0 Wrexham|website=Welshsoccerachive.co.uk|access-date=1 November 2021}}