Eddie Lewis (English footballer)
Encyclopedia
Edward "Eddie" Lewis was an English
footballer who played as a centre-forward and later as a full-back
. Born in Manchester
, he played for Goslings before joining the now-famous Manchester United Junior Athletic Club (MUJAC). He made his debut for Manchester United
in 1952, but struggled to nail down a regular place in the starting XI and was sold to Preston North End
in 1955.
A year later, he transferred to West Ham United
, with Frank O'Farrell
moving in the opposite direction. In 1958, he was part of the West Ham team that finished on top of the Second Division
before joining Leyton Orient
. At Leyton Orient, Lewis was converted from his former position at centre-forward to become the team's regular left-back, and he was part of the team that was promoted to the First Division
in 1962 and relegated just a year later. In May 1964, Lewis joined Folkestone Town
, before embarking on a short managerial career with Clapton
and Ford Sports.
In 1970, Lewis emigrated to South Africa
, where he was involved in coaching several sides, including Wits University, Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows. He also worked as an analyst for SuperSport. He contracted cancer in his later years and died in May 2011.
, Lewis was one of the original Busby Babes
. He played for Goslings and then for the Manchester United Junior Athletic Club (MUJAC), joining the Old Trafford
ground staff in the 1947–48 season.
He made 24 appearances for United during the 1950s and scored 11 goals, but was never a regular first-team player due to fierce competition from Bobby Charlton
, Liam Whelan
, Tommy Taylor
and Dennis Viollet
.
In 1956 Lewis signed for West Ham United
from Preston North End
in a swap deal that saw Frank O'Farrell
move in the other direction. He helped West Ham win promotion
during the 1957–58, and did the same with Leyton Orient
in 1961–62. He was converted from centre forward to full back with Leyton Orient, and probably played his best seasons in that position. He went on to play for Folkestone Town and later managed Clapton
and Ford Sports in the Greater London League
.
Lewis emigrated to South Africa
in 1970 and – after a short spell selling insurance – he spent time as a coach of Wits University, Kaizer Chiefs, Giant Blackpool, Moroka Swallows, Manning Rangers, Free State Stars and AmaZulu. He also worked as an analyst for the TV sports station Supersport
and also for PA Sports.
In July 2007, 72-year old Lewis was appointed as a technical advisor for Moroka Swallows under their new manager Ian 'Dibango Gorowa, a former Zimbabwe international striker.
After a long battle with cancer, Lewis died in a Johannesburg
hospital on 2 May 2011.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who played as a centre-forward and later as a full-back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. Born in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, he played for Goslings before joining the now-famous Manchester United Junior Athletic Club (MUJAC). He made his debut for Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in 1952, but struggled to nail down a regular place in the starting XI and was sold to Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
in 1955.
A year later, he transferred to West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, with Frank O'Farrell
Frank O'Farrell
Francis 'Frank' O'Farrell is an Irish former football player and manager.-Early:Frank O'Farrell started his playing career with Cork United, but followed his former Cork teammate, Tommy Moroney to West Ham United in January 1948. A quietly spoken, but nonetheless determined and talented wing-half,...
moving in the opposite direction. In 1958, he was part of the West Ham team that finished on top of the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
before joining Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
. At Leyton Orient, Lewis was converted from his former position at centre-forward to become the team's regular left-back, and he was part of the team that was promoted to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
in 1962 and relegated just a year later. In May 1964, Lewis joined Folkestone Town
Folkestone F.C.
Folkestone Football Club was the name of two English football clubs based in the town of Folkestone, Kent. It is unclear if the two clubs were in fact connected, but neither has any formal connection to Folkestone Invicta, who took over the Cheriton Road stadium after the demise of Folkestone F.C....
, before embarking on a short managerial career with Clapton
Clapton F.C.
Clapton F.C. is an English association football club, who play in Forest Gate, in the London Borough of Newham, England.Founded by W.R. Davis at a meeting in his father's house at 11 Queensdown Road, Clapton in August 0f 1877. Downs F.C. started playing on Hackney Downs. They changed their name a...
and Ford Sports.
In 1970, Lewis emigrated to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, where he was involved in coaching several sides, including Wits University, Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows. He also worked as an analyst for SuperSport. He contracted cancer in his later years and died in May 2011.
Career
Born in ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, Lewis was one of the original Busby Babes
Busby Babes
The Busby Babes were a group of Manchester United players, recruited and trained by the club's chief scout Joe Armstrong and assistant manager Jimmy Murphy, who progressed from the club's youth team into the first team under the management of the eponymous Matt Busby.The Busby Babes were notable...
. He played for Goslings and then for the Manchester United Junior Athletic Club (MUJAC), joining the Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
ground staff in the 1947–48 season.
He made 24 appearances for United during the 1950s and scored 11 goals, but was never a regular first-team player due to fierce competition from Bobby Charlton
Bobby Charlton
Sir Robert "Bobby" Charlton CBE is an English former professional football player, a member of the England team who won the World Cup and Ballon d'Or for European Footballer of the Year in 1966...
, Liam Whelan
Liam Whelan
William Augustine Whelan , also known as Billy Whelan or Liam Whelan, was an Irish footballer and one of the eight Manchester United players who were killed in the Munich air disaster...
, Tommy Taylor
Tommy Taylor
Thomas "Tommy" Taylor was an English footballer, who was known for his aerial ability. He was one of the eight Manchester United players who lost their lives in the Munich air disaster....
and Dennis Viollet
Dennis Viollet
Dennis Sydney Viollet was an English footballer best remembered for his time with Manchester United in the 1950s and early 1960s.-Club career:...
.
In 1956 Lewis signed for West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
from Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
in a swap deal that saw Frank O'Farrell
Frank O'Farrell
Francis 'Frank' O'Farrell is an Irish former football player and manager.-Early:Frank O'Farrell started his playing career with Cork United, but followed his former Cork teammate, Tommy Moroney to West Ham United in January 1948. A quietly spoken, but nonetheless determined and talented wing-half,...
move in the other direction. He helped West Ham win promotion
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
during the 1957–58, and did the same with Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
in 1961–62. He was converted from centre forward to full back with Leyton Orient, and probably played his best seasons in that position. He went on to play for Folkestone Town and later managed Clapton
Clapton F.C.
Clapton F.C. is an English association football club, who play in Forest Gate, in the London Borough of Newham, England.Founded by W.R. Davis at a meeting in his father's house at 11 Queensdown Road, Clapton in August 0f 1877. Downs F.C. started playing on Hackney Downs. They changed their name a...
and Ford Sports in the Greater London League
Greater London League
The Greater London League was a football league for clubs in and around London. It was formed in 1964 by a merger of the London League and the Aetolian League, after the two leagues had run a joint league cup the previous season due to both struggling for numbers.The league initially ran with A and...
.
Lewis emigrated to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in 1970 and – after a short spell selling insurance – he spent time as a coach of Wits University, Kaizer Chiefs, Giant Blackpool, Moroka Swallows, Manning Rangers, Free State Stars and AmaZulu. He also worked as an analyst for the TV sports station Supersport
Supersport
SuperSport is a South African group of television channels owned by Naspers and carried on the DStv satellite platform. It is the leading sports provider in South Africa and Africa. It also provides sports coverage in many other African countries....
and also for PA Sports.
In July 2007, 72-year old Lewis was appointed as a technical advisor for Moroka Swallows under their new manager Ian 'Dibango Gorowa, a former Zimbabwe international striker.
After a long battle with cancer, Lewis died in a Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
hospital on 2 May 2011.