*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Eric Edwards
Appearances: 55 Goals: 1
Date / Year of birth: 6th August 1926
Position: Full-back
Season of first appearance: 1948/49
Season of last appearance: 1950/51
Also played for: Deal Town and Betteshanger Colliery Welfare
Strong, versatile Thanet-born defender who was christened Eric but universally known as 'Darkie' who joined Margate from Betteshanger in November 1948 having previously played for Deal.
Darkie made his debut on 20.11.48 as Margate beat Chatham 4-2 at Hartsdown but he was carried off before half-time. As a result he missed a few weeks but then returned to action and turned in some outstanding performances before the end of the 1948/49 season. Darkie made the right-back slot his own and played 14 times in total but he also had to serve a seven day suspension in January 1949 as part of Margate's punishment for illegally approaching him. The club were fined for failing to inform Betteshanger of their intentions.
Darkie continued to play regularly during the 1949/50 season and turned out in five different positions during the campaign. However he settled at right-back as the season wore on and made a total of 30 appearances, scoring once. The goal was an amazing 60 yard free-kick in a 2-0 Kent League win over Faversham at Hartsdown on 10.12.49.
Darkie went on to make a further 11 appearances during the 1950/51 season before leaving the club.
During the early 1960's he played for Eastry in the Kent Amateur League and at that time Darkie was also secretary of Betteshanger Colliery Welfare FC. In those days that was the equivalent of being manager and Darkie sometimes turned out for the club as well.
For many years Darkie was the groundsman at the Betteshanger Welfare ground before the decline of the colliery meant that a full time groundsman could no longer be afforded. His father, a former Bradford player, had held the same job through the professional years of the Betteshanger club.
Darkie was also a very good cricketer and opened the batting for Sandwich, Walmer and Betteshanger.
He lived in Deal for most of his life and played bowls for Betteshanger until his death in August 1995.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
KSC |
KLC |
KSS |
|
|
1948/49 (MFC) |
14 (41) |
N/A |
0 |
KENT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (10TH OF 18) |
PR |
2R |
2R |
1R |
|
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
KSC |
KLC |
KSS |
|
|
1949/50 (MFC) |
30 (40) |
N/A |
1 |
KENT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (6TH OF 17) |
EPR |
1R |
2R |
SF |
|
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
KSC |
KLC |
KSS |
|
|
1950/51 (MFC) |
11 (41) |
N/A |
0 |
KENT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (6TH OF 17) |
EPR |
1R |
2R |
RU |
|