Edmond Cotter

Col. Edmond William Cotter (12 February 1852 – 23 August 1934) was a British soldier, who played for the Royal Engineers in the 1872 FA Cup Final. As a soldier, he was engaged in four military campaigns: the Ashanti campaign of 1873–74, the Zhob Valley Expedition of 1884, the Nile Expedition of 1884–85 and the Burma Expedition of 1887–88. At the end of his career, he was briefly involved with the United Irish movement.

Cotter was born in Valletta, Malta, the second of three children born to John Cotter (1823–1882) and his first wife Jane Maria née Hickey (1830–1857).

John Cotter was a career soldier who had enlisted in the 3rd Foot 'The Buffs' aged 17 in 1840. At the time of Edmond's birth, John Cotter was a sergeant. During the Crimean War (1853–1856), he was promoted to Colour Sergeant and Acting Adjt. Major, before further promotion in the field to Lieutenant in February 1856. This promotion was made permanent on 3 March 1858. He was promoted to Captain on 5 January 1870 and retired on 1 July 1881. While serving with the 2nd Battalion, The Buffs in Malta in 1858, Adjutant Cotter, not wanting to be shown up in front of the 21st Royal (North British) Fusiliers, spurred his men on with the words: "Steady, the Buffs! The Fusiliers are watching you", thus originating the expression, "Steady, the Buffs!".

Cotter was educated at St Munchin's College in Limerick, Ireland followed by the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich from 1868 to 1871.

Cotter represented the RMA at association football, before joining the Royal Engineers. Cotter played as a forward and "revelled in rushes and scrimmages".

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