Eddie Witheridge

Eddie Witheridge was an early Fulham forward who played at the club from 1893 until 1898. Primarily an inside right, Eddie joined through Herbert Jackson and Tom Shrimpton with whom he played with for Old Sherbrookians in the late 1880's and early 1890's. He enjoyed success with the club in Fulham's early years, and was part of the first ever match at Craven Cottage in a 4-0 victory over Minerva in October 1896, getting on the scoresheet in the process.

Fulham (1893-1895 & 1896-1898)
Eddie joined in 1893 through Herbet Jackson and Tom Shrimpton, whom he had previously played with at Old Sherbrookians. After a season with Queens Park Rangers in 1895, Eddie returned to Fulham for 1896-97 and played out some historic matches. He was part of the first ever match at Craven Cottage, a 4-0 victory over Minerva, played in the clubs first ever FA Cup match (a 5-0 loss away to Swanscombe) and in an 8-0 loss at home to the then great rivals Stanley. The following season, he played his final match for the first team in November 1897 against the Metropolitan Railway. He retired shortly after this but stayed at the club in other capacities.

After Fulham
Eddie stayed on at the club and was working in the club canteen in the early 1900's along with former teammate and legendary goalkeeper Johnny May until his untimely death in 1902 at the age of just 29. The cause of death was tuberculosis, and Fulham historian Morgan Phillips has suggested that this may have been due to the primitive conditions in which Eddie and others were subjected to in the early days of the club.