Edward John Lightfoot (13 November 1889 – 20 July 1918) was an English footballer who played for Harrowby, Southport Central and Tottenham Hotspur.[1]

Teddy Lightfoot
Personal information
Full name Edward John Lightfoot[1]
Date of birth (1889-11-13)13 November 1889
Place of birth Litherland, England
Date of death 20 July 1918(1918-07-20) (aged 28)[2]
Place of death Esquelbecq, France[3]
Position(s) Left half
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Harrowby
Southport Central
1911–1915 Tottenham Hotspur 61 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Football career

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Lightfoot signed for Tottenham Hotspur after spells with Harrowby and Southport.[4] The left half featured in 66 matches and scored twice in all competitions between 1911 and 1915.[3]

First World War

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Lightfoot was one of several former and current (at that time) Spurs players who died in action in World War I.[5] In early 1916, Lightfoot joined the Royal Garrison Artillery, reaching the rank of sergeant.[3][2] He died at 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station in Esquelbecq on 20 July 1918; the cause of his death is unknown.[3] Lightfoot is buried at the Esquelbecq Military Cemetery.[2][6]

Perseus writing in the Lancashire Daily Post paid the following tribute:

Edward Lightfoot was a splendid footballer but, more than that, he was a good sportsman and a player that respected both himself and his opponents. He has joined a noble company who will leave a big void in football.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 174. ISBN 978-1905891610.
  2. ^ a b c "Casualty". www.cwgc.org. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d "Ed Lightfoot | Football and the First World War". Football and the First World War. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  4. ^ "Player Details". Port Online. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  5. ^ Tottenham Hotspur and the First World War Retrieved 27 July 2015
  6. ^ New York Times news report Retrieved 10 June 2009
  7. ^ Southport F.C. History Retrieved 27 July 2015