Maurice Edelston

The son of professional footballer Joe Edelston, who played for Hull City, Maurice was just eighteen when he played for Great Britain in the Berlin Olympics. He was fielded against China and was a substitute against Poland. After playing for Fulham and Brentford he joined Reading in 1939 where his father had become team manager. For Reading, he played successfully as an inside forward until 1952. He scored 70 League goals in 202 games for Reading. Despite still being an amateur he played for the professional England team in five unofficial matches during World War II. In 1943 he had guest appearances for Liverpool FC and in 1944-45 represented the FA in international matches. He played eight games for England’s amateur team scoring eight goals.

After a season with Northampton Town, he retired in 1953 to become a teacher at Bluecoat’s School in Reading, Berkshire, where the library is named after him and later pursued a career in journalism. He joined the BBC in the late fifties and commentated on football and tennis until 1976, when he died suddenly from a heart attack. As the BBC’s senior commentator he broadcasted on three FIFA World Cups, including England’s victory in the 1966 tournament, as well as several FA Cup Finals. An award that Reading FC gives to the outstanding schoolboy in their Academy for future players is named after him. He also was a keen tennis player and in his youth played cricket for London University.