Edwin ‘Eddie’ Jones arrived from Chorley in 1909 to play two seasons of Southern League football for Exeter City and, after featuring strongly at left-back, moved on to a higher level of football with Bristol City in 1911. After later working as a trainer with Bristol Rovers he returned to St James’ Park in a similar capacity in the late 1920s. 

Eddie played both soccer and rugby league in his youth and, as a promising wing-three quarter, had attracted interest from both Wigan and Wakefield Trinity. Deciding to concentrate on soccer, he signed a professional contract with Bolton Wanderers in 1906 before spells with Tyldesley, Penrith and Chorley.

Attracting the attention of Exeter City’s Lancastrian manager Arthur Chadwick, Eddie signed for Exeter City and soon made his debut at Croydon Common in a Southern League fixture on 4 September 1909. Making his debut at right-back, but soon switching to left-back, Eddie only missed three league games all season as he clocked-up 39 league games during the 1909/10 campaign.

Remaining at the club for the following season, Eddie appeared in 24 of the first 25 league games but did not re-appear for the first team after the game against Southend United in mid-February. 

Subsequently signing for Bristol City in the summer of 1911, Eddie was on the Ashton Gate club’s books throughout the seasons leading up to the Great War and returned afterwards to extend his time at the Robis until 1922. Later turning out for Weymouth, he became trainer at Bristol Rovers before returning to St James’ Park as Exeter City’s trainer in 1926.

Also a trainer with Torquay United, Eddie died in Birmingham in 1953.