UP
Eddie Caswell Hull FC captain, Glamorgan County and Welsh International Half-Back and Head Trainer
Caswell is most deceptive in appearance, at 24 year old he scales with his clothes on at 11st 10lbs, and stand 5ft 7in and is a speedy sprinter, with his occupation being an ex miner he is used to hard knocks.
Eddie Caswell the finest half-back in the Rugby Union world has definitely decided to place his football future in the hand of Hull FC. How much this decision was appreciated could be judged by the crowds which gathered on the 22 Oct 1919 at Paragon Station to add their voices to the official welcome. Not since the arrival of the Australian contingent, Gilbert, Darmondy and Devereux, has such a crowd followed the tracks of a new Hull player. It was a massive task by the directors in persuading this half-back artist to leave his Mountain fastnesses of Wales. In fact it has been said that money could not buy Eddie Caswell, but here was a case where there were other purchasing powers beyond the power of money.
Caswell started his rugby career as a schoolboy where rugby is the first choice in sport, he became a Welsh schoolboy International and represented his country in this capacity in the season 1907-1908.
Caswell next tried his prowess with local junior team, Cefn-Crippur, both in schools and junior rugby, Caswell possessed a brilliant scoring record which eventually caused him to graduate to the Bridgend club a few miles from his home. Signing for Bridgend in 1913, Hull new star enjoyed a couple of seasons of successful half-back football after which WW1 put an end to his aspirations for a time.
He joined the Glamorgan Horse Artillery as a driver and soon found himself in France, his military service extended to 4 years. This of course was a great slice out of an athletes career yet in France in the Army the budding International did good. Playing for the Territorials Royal Artillery team Caswell gave an excellent account of himself and as captain of the Artillery side Caswell was very proud of this performance.
Leaving the Army, Caswell returned to Bridgend, where Cardiff the elite of Welsh Rugby Football secured his services, and in the 3 months of his time with Cardiff became a household name for his outstanding skillful half-back play. And would be a certainty to get welsh international honours, however that was not to be as Eddie has now signed for Hull FC.
In his first season with Hull Caswell played 17 matches in which he scored five tries, but it is more than a coincidence that in the first season 1919-20, Hull won the League Championship for the first time. The following season Caswell played in 41 matches scoring 12 tries and Hull winning the League for a second time. These two championship medals being the most treasured of Caswell possessions. There are two other medals one being the Yorkshire Cup victory beating Huddersfield in the final and the other a runners up medal a mathch that was lost in the final minutes of the game in Headingly.
Caswell not a prolific scorer, his job was to develop play so that tries tries were scored by the outside backs, but during the 1922-23 season he scored 23 tries a great effort for a half-back.
As a professional Caswell was first Honoured when he was chosen to play for Glamorgan v Cumberland at Pontypridd. During the 1922-23 season Caswell earned Welsh International honours by representing his country against England at Hearn Hill, also in the Welsh team were two other Hull FC players in Edgar Morgan and Joe Oliver, for England three Hull FC players were Billy Batten, Billy Stone and Bob Taylor.
Caswell represented Wales against England at Broughton and against New Zealand, he was reserve against Australia in Pontypool
Caswell coached Hull FC in the 1930s and 1940s. He played at representative level for Wales, and at club level for Hull FC, as a stand-off and was captain of Hull during the 1925-26, 1926-27 and 1927-28 seasons playing in 401 matches scoring 98 tries 5 goals and 304 points, and coached at club level for Hull. Mr. Caswell who was 54 years of age and lived within a stone throw of the ground collapsed and died in the secretary office on Sunday 21 May 1949.
Eddie Caswell taking training photo above shows, Jack Dawson, Eddie Caswell and Ernie Herbert
Funeral of Eddie Caswell
Six Hull FC players acted as bearers at the funeral which took place at the Western Cemetery of Eddie Caswell, who for 20 years has been trainer at the Hull Club, succeeding to that position at the end of a spectacular playing career in which he attained international honours as half-back.
Mr Caswell who was 54 years of age collapsed in the secretary office on Sunday 21 May 1949.
In addition to the family mourners, Hull FC directors, ground staff, players and supporters were represented at the funeral. Directors present included Mr E Miller (Chairman), E Hardaker (vice chairman) P Bradley, H Garrett, E Jenney, H M Jordan, A Loveridge and C J Rymer, with Secretary E Tarbotton represented J Lyons and officials of the Supporters Club and players who acted as bearers were George Watt, (captain), Freddie Miller, Charlie Booth, Jack Tindall. Fred Garmston and Bernard Madden
Practically all Hulls senior and A team players attended including Jones and Danter who made the journey from Wales, while among former players present who figured in Hull team with Caswell when at the height of his career Jim Kennedy, Billy Stone, Jack Holdworth, Alf Grice, George Bateman and others.
Mr Walter Crockford, former chairman of the Rugby League and director of Hull Kingston Rovers was also present.
Rev T S East conducted the service
