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Players Index Page Last Updated
12 August 2025
 
 

Eddie Latheron

Blackburn Rovers FC

 2 appearances, 1 debut goal

P 2 W 1 D 0 L 1 F 4: A 6
50% successful
1913-14

captain: none
minutes played: 180

Timeline
  Gunner Edwin Gladstone Latheron
Birth Friday, 1 April 1887 'born at 5 Railway Cottages, Carlin How', Brotton, North Riding of Yorkshire
  registered in Guisborough April-June 1887
 

According to the 1891 census, the four year old Edwin is the seventh of eight children to John Summerson and Martha Ann (née Brampton). His father is a signalman and they all live at 93 North Ormesby Road in Middlesbrough.
 

His mother died mid-1898
According to the 1901 census, Edwin has another brother, and is one of five children that live with their signalman father at 51 Haddon Street, Middlesbrough. Edwin is an errand boy.
His father died in early 1903
Marriage to Bertha Livesey, on Thursday, 7 July 1910, at St Mark's Church, Witton, Lancashire
  registered in Blackburn July-September 1910
"MARRIAGE OF A WELL-KNOWN ROVER.—
"To local football followers the marriage of the well-known inside-right of the Blackburn Rovers, E. G. Latheron, which took place on Thursday, at St. Mark's Church, will be of special interest. The Rev. W. Fyldes, M.A., officiated. The bridegroom, Mr. Edwin Gladstone Latheron, was attended by Mr. Arthur Chadwick, cousin of the bride. Miss Bertha Livesey, daughter of the late Mr. Matthew Livesey and Mrs. Livesey, of Selous-street, Witton. The bridesmaid was Miss Annie Livesey, sister of the bride. The bride wore a dress of blue silk, trimmed with cream lace, with hat to match, and carried a bouquet of roses and lilies of the valley, whilst Miss Annie Livesey wore green silk similarly trimmed, her bouquet being of pink roses. The bride wore several of the sporting trophies of her husband, including a medal gained by him at Brussels on the recent Continental trip of the Rovers Football Club. Amongst those of Latheron's colleagues who were present was Albert Walmsley, the Rovers' right half-back. A reception afterwards took place at the Industrial Co-operative Society's Rooms, Town Hall-street, and later Mr. and Mrs. Latheron left for Middlesbro', where the honeymoon is being spent."  - The Blackburn Times, Saturday, 9 July 1910
Children to Eddie and Bertha Latheron have one son together. Walter Edwin (b.4 August 1915).
160461
Royal Field Artillery 43/5th

According to the 1911 census, Edwin, a professional footballer, is boarding with his new wife of one year, Bertha, with his mother-in-law, Emma Livesey. They live at 14 Selous Street in Blackburn.
"REVISING THE LISTS—VOTERS AND THEIR CLAIMS AT BLACKBURN
"The Blackburn Borough Revision Court was resumed in the small police court to-day, before Mr S. Pope, revising Barrister. The Liberals were represented by Mr. J. H. Riley, the Conservatives by Mr. S. J. Dowden, and the Labour Party by Mr C. Higham.
"BLACKBURN ROVER'S LODGER VOTE.
 "Edwin Gladstone Latheron claimed a lodger's vote for a bedroom, unfurnished, at 14, Selous-street, and was supported by the Conservatives. Claimant's mother-in-law, who appeared in support of the claim, said that he had lived at her house since he married her daughter in July of last year. He occupied a bedroom, and paid five shillings per week.
"Mr. Maxwell: He is one of the famous footballers of the Blackburn Rovers. That shows that he is able to pay.
"The Revising Barrister: You think there is some advantage in having a man about the house? (Laughter.)
"Witness: Yes.
"The vote was allowed."  - The Northern Daily Telegraph, Monday, 11 September 1911
Death
Killed in Action
Sunday, 14 October 1917, in the Battle of Passchendaele, West Flanders, one of 13,000 Allied casualties.
aged 30 years 196 days registered in War Death Army Officers
Obituary
"A gunner in the Royal Field Artillery, he went overseas late in March, his last game for the Rovers being on March 17. at Ewood Park, against Bury, when he scored his last goal. In whatever station of life Latheron has filled he has done his duty. His clubmate, Alec M'Ghie, who was in the same battery, sent the grievous news to Mr. R. B. Middleton, the secretary of the Rovers. Writing under date October 15, M'Ghie said:—
"'This morning word came down from the gun line that he was missing. I obtained permission from the Major to go up and see if I could get any information. On my arrival there they had found him dead. It seems that a shell dropped just by our dug-out and the splinters passed through the opening, killing both Eddie and another gunner. I have lost my best friend, and just now I feel terribly lonely. He was a happy, strong, and tremendous worker, and a very fine soldier. If anybody has done his bit in this war it has been Eddie. He was the last of his detachment left up at the guns, the remainder being wounded and sick. He was extremely popular in the battalion, and everybody is sincerely sorry.'" - The Athletic News, Tuesday, 30 October 1917.
  
 "Gnr. Edwin Latheron, R.F.A., Association international forward and a member of the Blackburn Rovers' team, has been killed in France, a shell which burst near the dug out where Latheron was sheltering killing him and a comrade. Latheron was one of the best inside lefts of his day, and was one of the forward line in the 1913-14 season, which must have been the most expensive in the country, consisting as it did of Simpson, Shea, Dawson, Latheron and Hodkinson, four of the five being English internationals, and Dawson a player who appeared in representative games for Scotland. In that season Blackburn Rovers won the Football League championship, and supplied a number of players to the representative games both international and inter-league, including Bob Crompton, who holds the record for England for international games. Latheron was always deadly in front of goal, and in the last season in which football was played on the old lines he scored 17 times in league matches, being second on the Blackburn list to Dawson. In addition to his international caps, Latheron played twice in inter-league games against Scotland, and once against the Southern League."  - The Winner, Wednesday, 19 December 1917
Funeral October 1917 in a military cemetery at Vlamertinghe in Belgium
"SOMEWHERE between Ypres and Poperinghe there is a little pot of ground at Vlamertyngh which is 'for ever England.' There sleeps the mortal frame of Edwin Gladstone Latheron... The little man was afforded a military funeral and M'Ghie was one of the bearersa sad office even for soldiers accustomed to the horrors of the battlefield." - The Athletic News, Tuesday, 30 October 1917.
Probate "LATHERON Edwin Gladstone of the Cemetery Hotel Whalley New-road Blackburn died 14 October 1917 in Belgium Administration London 5 March to Bertha Latheron widow. Effects £976 1s 6d." [2025 equivalent: £58,665]
"IN MEMORIAM.  LATHERON.—In affectionate remembrance of my dear husband, Gunner Eddie Latheron, R.F.A., who was killed in action in Belgium on October 14, 1917, and was buried at Vlamertinghe.
  A fair young heart that waved good-bye
    With passing grace and glee,
  He knew not that it was farewell,
    The last farewell for me.
  Sad thoughts they linger round our hearts,
    While tears they often flow,
 And to that sad and silent grave
    My thoughts they often go.
  Though my trial is hard I will not complain,
  But trust in God to meet you again.
     A day of remembrance sad to recall.
—Ever remembered by his widow and son Walter. Cemetery Hotel, Blackburn."
 LATHERON.—In sad but loving memory of Gunner Eddie Latheron, R.F.A., who was killed in action in Belgium on October 14, 1917, and was buried at Vlamertinghe.
       Oh, that it were as in days gone by,
           When you were by our side—
       The joy and comfort of our life,
           Our constant care and pride.
       Like ivy on the withered oak,
           When other things decay,
       Our love for you will still keep true,
           And never fade away.
—Ever remembered by his sisters-in-law Annie and Lily. Cemetery Hotel, Blackburn."
 LATHERON.—In loving memory of Eddie Latheron who fell in action October 14, 1917. Though death divides, fond memories cling.—From Horace, Belle and Doris, 10, Queen Victoria-street, Blackburn." - Blackburn Weekly Telegraph, Saturday, 19 October 1918. 
"English Girls Visit to France  Carrying a beautiful wreath bound with blue and white, the colours of the Blackburn Rovers' team, to place on the grave of Eddie Latheron, the Rovers' International, near Ypres. Dick. Kerr's lady footballers had an enthusiastic send-off from Preston, yesterday, on starting upon the French tour. Sixteen players made the journey. The girls will also place flowers on the cenotaphs at Paris, Roubaix, Rouen, and Havre, where they will play matches." - Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Friday, 29 October 1920. 
"LETTING IN THE YEAR.  At the Blackburn Borough Police Court, on Wednesday, Bertha Latheron, licensee of the Cemetery Hotel, Whalley New-road, was summoned for supplying intoxicating liquor (beer and whisky) for consumption on the premises during prohibited hours on New Year's Eve...Mrs, Latheron was directed to pay costs." - The Blackburn Times, Saturday, 15 January 1921
  His wife, Bertha, died 31 December 1963 in Blackburn
Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &

Playing Career

Club(s)		 Began his career with South Bank Corinthians FC before joining neighbouring club Grangetown Athletic FC, he joined Blackburn Rovers FC in March 1906 for a £25 fee after playing in an FA Amateur Cup match against Crosshill FC. He guested for Blackpool FC during the war.
League honours
257 appearances, 94 goals		 Blackburn Rovers FC 1906-15 257 appearances, 94 goals
debut: 22 December 1906 Blackburn Rovers FC 4 Middlesbrough FC 1.
last: 24 April 1915 Blackburn Rovers FC 4 Middlesbrough FC 0.

Club honours		 Football League Division One third place 1909-10 (27ᵃ 10ᵍ), 1914-15 (37ᵃ 17ᵍ), Champions 1911-12 (22ᵃ 7ᵍ), 1913-14 (35ᵃ 13ᵍ);
FA Cup semi-finalists 1910-11 (6ᵃ 3ᵍ), 1911-12 (0ᵃ);
FA Charity Shield winners 1912;
Individual honours Football League (five appearances);
Distinctions None
Height/Weight 5' 5", 10st. 8lbs [1907], 5' 5½", 11st 0lbs [1913].
Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

England Career
Player number One of seven who became the 368th players (373) to appear for England.
Position(s) Inside-left
First match No. 115, 17 March 1913, England 4 Wales 3, a British Championship match at Ayresome Park, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, aged 25 years 350 days.
Last match
334 days		 No. 117, 14 February 1914, England 0 Ireland 3, a British Championship match at Ashton Gate, Ashton Vale, Bedminster, Bristol, aged 26 years 319 days.
Major tournaments British Championship 1912-13, 1913-14;
Team honours British Championship winners 1912-13;
Individual honours The North (one appearance, January 1914);
Distinctions None

Beyond England
He remained with Rovers until his death in 1917, whilst serving with the Royal Field Artillery. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.154.


The Numbers
parties Apps comp. apps minutes goals ave.min comp. goals captain
2 2 2 180 1 180 min 1 none
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
2 1 0 1 4 6 -2 1 0 2 3 50 =0
both of his matches were played in the British Championship competition and at a home venue

Opposition Record
Opposition P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Wales 1 1 0 0 4 3 +1 0 0 4.00 3.00 100.0 +1
Ireland 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 1 0 0.00 3.00 0.00 -1

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1912-13 1 1 0 0 4 3 +1 0 0 4.00 3.00 100.0 +1
BC 1913-14 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 1 0 0.00 3.00 0.00 -1
BC All 2 1 0 1 4 6 -2 1 0 2.00 3.00 50.0 =0

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 2 1 0 1 4 6 -2 1 0 2.00 3.00 50.0 =0
2 1 0 1 4 6 -2 1 0 2 3 50 =0

Match History

 Club: Blackburn Rovers F.C. - two full appearances (180 min) 1ᵍ

F.A. International Select Committee - two full appearances (180 min) 1ᵍx

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 25
1 115 17 March 1913 - England 4 Wales 3
Ashton Gate. Bedminster		 BC HW  30 il
 

one of seven who became the 368th player (373) to appear for England
one of two who became the 23rd Blackburn Rovers FC player to represent England
the 65th player to score on his England debut

Age 26 trial  
one appearance - The North vs. England, 21 January 1914;

2 117 14 February 1914 - England 0 Ireland 3
Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough		 BC HL   il
 


 

 
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