Edgar Bluff had served for four years in the Yorkshire Light Infantry when Southampton, keen to acquire his full-time services, paid £25 to secure his discharge. He warmed up for the Saints on their six-match summer tour of South America (see squad photo above), where he helped himself to 17 goals.  Back home the Athletic News was much impressed

“he is a little man, with hair of distinctive color. Army training and discipline have stood him in good stead. As hard as nails, fearless, capable of prodigious work he cannot be suppressed. He makes an impression because he is a grafter and he is happiest when the strain is greater. ”

However he found scoring against Southern League opponents proved a little more difficult but, settling in at inside-right alongside Fred Harrison, the established main-man, he outscored him in the 1904-05 season. That achievement so caught the eye of the selectors that he was England’s first reserve when they entertained Ireland in February 1905. For the next season, however, the Southern League introduced a wage limit and Edgar was among the players Southampton wished to off-load. Even though Sheffield United was a prominent side in the Football League, he didn’t much fancy returning to his native city. Those who persuaded him that the move would further his career were proved wrong: although he was selected to represent Sheffield against Glasgow, he would not be the force at Bramall Lane that he had been at The Dell.

Before long, he had become a miner in Lancashire, playing non-league football. In 1939 he was occupied as a motor driver (underground) in a colliery. Edgar’s grandson, Tony Flower was a winger who played 127 games for Notts County between 1961 and 1966 before moving to Halifax Town who were then managed by Alan Ball senior.