Saints Number: #281
Saints Career: 1905-1913
Appearances: 234
Position: Wing

Career Statistics

Tries: 179
Conversions: 2
Drop Goals: 1
Total Points: 545

Representative Honours

East Midlands
England (7 caps)
Barbarians

Hall of Fame

Inducted: 2005

Edgar Mobbs

Few figures occupy a more revered place in Northampton Saints history than Edgar Mobbs. An outstanding player, inspirational leader and decorated soldier, his legacy extends far beyond rugby.

Born in Northampton in 1882 and educated at Bedford Modern School, Mobbs joined Saints from Olney in 1905. He quickly established himself as one of the finest attacking players in the country, making 234 appearances and scoring 179 tries. Appointed captain in 1907/08, he led Northampton until his retirement in 1913.

Mobbs excelled at representative level. In 1908 he captained the Combined Midlands to a famous victory over the touring Australians, the only defeat they suffered in England. Two years later he became the first Northampton player to captain England when he led his country against France. Contemporary observers praised his speed, power and determination, describing him as one of the most dangerous attacking backs of his era.

At the outbreak of the First World War, Mobbs volunteered for military service but was initially refused a commission because of his age. Undeterred, he organised a recruitment campaign that attracted more than 400 volunteers, 264 of whom joined the famous unit that became known as “Mobbs’ Own”. During the war he was wounded three times, mentioned in despatches twice and awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

On 31 July 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres, Mobbs was killed while leading an assault on a German machine-gun position. His body was never recovered, and he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. A memorial cross later erected near the site of his death remains a place of pilgrimage for rugby supporters.

More than a century later, his influence is still felt. The Mobbs Memorial Match, first played in 1921, continues to honour his memory, while the Ella-Mobbs Cup commemorates both Mobbs and Australian great Mark Ella. The Northampton Saints Foundation’s Mobbs’ Own Project has further preserved the stories of the men who served alongside him during the First World War.

Inducted into the Northampton Saints Hall of Fame in 2005, Mobbs remains one of the defining figures in the Club’s history. His extraordinary achievements on the field, combined with his leadership and courage in wartime, ensure his legacy will endure for generations.

Hall of Fame profiles have been researched and compiled, with the Club’s grateful thanks, by the volunteers of Northampton Saints Foundation’s Heritage Department – whose work helps preserve and share the rich history of Northampton Saints.