Edward Fox was an Australian rules footballer who played for Hotham Football Club and Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) during the late 19th century.
Fox grew up in North Melbourne and was recruited to local VFA club Hotham for the 1886 season. He played one season with Hotham, playing on the wing, before leaving to join fellow VFA club Melbourne for the 1887 season.
Fox became a regular in the Melbourne side playing at half-back; he did not miss a match for Melbourne from 1887 until an injury in 1893. Known for his strength—aided by the large muscles he developed as an ironworker—and attack on the ball, Fox was selected to represent Victoria in three games over 1890 and 1891.
In 1889 Fox became captain of Melbourne for the first time; he retained the role for the majority of the next seven seasons. Melbourne were a poor team in the late 1880s, generally finishing towards the bottom of the ladder. Under Fox's leadership, the club steadily became more competitive until in 1893 and 1894 they were competing for the premiership—ultimately finishing second to Essendon in both years. Fox played one further season in 1895 where Melbourne finished third; he retired towards the end of the season and passed the captaincy on to Joe Wilson.
Football career
Fox was from a sporting family in North Melbourne. He had five brothers—Tommy, Jack, Billy, Dan and Frank—who were all good football and cricket players; Eddie was the best of them at football. Fox played junior football for Albion Park and North Park before being recruited by Hotham in the Victorian Football Association (VFA).
Fox debuted for Hotham in the VFA in the first round of the 1886 season. The North Melbourne Advertiser reported that Fox played on the wing and "showed some dashing play" which augured well for the season ahead. The Argus wrote that Fox was one of the Hotham players who "frequently won the applause of spectators" in a game which Hotham won. In Hotham's next match, a win over Fitzroy, Vigilant wrote in the North Melbourne Advertiser that Fox was "knocked about" by the opposition but worked hard regardless. The next week, Hotham lost their first match of the season and Vigilant opined that, despite playing a good match, Fox "can do better". Fox was unable to consistently hold his place in Hotham's side, for example being named an emergency in round 11 against Williamstown. Writing towards the end of the 1896 season, O.C. in The Weekly Times declared Fox to be a "a fair player, but rather too anxious". Fox ended up playing nine senior games for Hotham in his first VFA season.
It was reported in April 1887 that Fox was looking to transfer from Hotham to fellow VFA club Melbourne for the 1887 season. Fox did end up making the move to Melbourne and was named in Melbourne's best players a number of times in his first season with the club. In August 1887, Fox was part of a Melbourne team that toured Tasmania and played several matches against the locals.
In June 1888, Fox was a member of a Melbourne squad that toured Queensland. Fox was again named in Melbourne's best players a number of times through the 1888 season. In Goal Post's wrap-up of the 1888 season for The Sportsman, he named Fox first when listing Melbourne's best players for that year while being critical of the team's performance overall.
At the beginning of the 1889 season at the club's annual general meeting (AGM), Fox was elected to the committee of the club and also to the selection committee of the senior team. Additionally, Fox also became captain of the team that season. By this point of his career, Fox had become a defender and in a match against Essendon in the 1889 season he was awarded a trophy for "back play". In a match against Footscray on 10 July 1889, Fox was attacked by Footscray supporters while the match was in play; Goal Post writing for The Sportsman called it a "disgraceful occurrence" and that Fox was fortunate not to have received a serious injury. At the end of the 1889 season, Fox was presented "a neat gold watch, chain and locket" by the committee and members of the club to show their appreciation for his leadership that season.
Fox remained captain for the 1890 season. In July 1890, Fox was selected to represent Victoria in an intercolonial match against South Australia in Melbourne. Fox played in his usual position in defence and Victoria won the match comfortably.