Interview with Phil Earle and Michael Wagg

TL;DR

Two friends are inspired by the story of Edgar Kale and Adolf Jaeger, football players from the 1920s, to write a historical novel about their friendship and achievements.

Transcript

so um i'm just going to ask the questions and you can fight out who who answers first uh what inspired you to write about edgar and adolf wagy go well i've got another handy prop here it's not it is actually the hat that i wear all the time phil's got a similar one wow this here is about a badge of edgar kale oh and i often wear it because he's a h... Read More

Key Insights

• ⚾ The friendship between Dulwich Hamlet and Altona 93 is based on a real connection between the clubs, forged by a chance encounter and a shared match in 1925.
• 🪶 Edgar Kale's achievements as a non-league player who represented England is a remarkable feat.
• 🫱 The novel explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and the impact of war on football clubs and players.

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired the authors to write about Edgar Kale and Adolf Jaeger?

The authors were inspired by a badge of Edgar Kale and the fanatical support from Dulwich Hamlet fans. They were also fascinated by the friendship between Edgar and Adolf and the unique achievements of both players.

Q: What was the significance of the match between Dulwich Hamlet and Altona 93 in 1925?

The match was significant because it was a brief connection between the two clubs that led to a lasting friendship. It was a forgotten match until a knowledge fan discovered the connection and sparked the friendship between the clubs.

Q: How did the authors decide what details to include and what to fictionalize in the novel?

The authors aimed to create an entertaining and engaging story while also staying true to the historical context. They kept the names of the characters and the clubs, but fictionalized certain details to make the story more captivating for readers.

Q: What would the authors like to ask Edgar Kale and Adolf Jaeger if they could meet them?

The authors would like to ask Edgar about his decision to stay loyal to his club throughout his career and how he felt being the only non-league player to represent England. They would also like to ask Adolf about his experience representing Germany and his thoughts on the friendship between Dulwich Hamlet and Altona 93.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A chance encounter with a badge of Edgar Kale sparked the idea for the novel about his life as a footballer in the 1920s and 1930s.

• The author and his friend were inspired by the fanatical support for Edgar and the friendship between the clubs Altona 93 and Dulwich Hamlet.

• The novel explores the themes of friendship, loyalty, and the challenges faced by amateur footballers during that time.