David Edwards (footballer)

For others of the same name and profession, see David Edwards (disambiguation).
David Edwards

Edwards playing for Wales in 2016
Personal information
Full name David Alexander Edwards[1]
Date of birth (1986-02-03) 3 February 1986[1]
Place of birth Pontesbury, Shropshire, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Number 4
Youth career
1996–2003 Shrewsbury Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2007 Shrewsbury Town 119 (12)
2007–2008 Luton Town 19 (4)
2008– Wolverhampton Wanderers 256 (35)
National team‡
2006–2008 Wales U21 9 (1)
2007– Wales 38 (3)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:59, 1 December 2016 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:14, 12 November 2016 (UTC)

David Alexander Edwards (born 3 February 1986) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers. He also plays for the Wales national team. He is known for his energetic runs and work rate.

Edwards began his career at hometown club Shrewsbury Town before a short stay at Luton Town, brought him to the attention of Wolverhampton Wanderers, for whom he signed in January 2008. With Wolves he has played in three different divisions, including the Premier League.

A full international since 2007, Edwards has earned over 30 caps for Wales and represented the nation at UEFA Euro 2016.

Club career

Shrewsbury Town

Born in Pontesbury, Shropshire,[1] Edwards started as an apprentice at his hometown club, Shrewsbury Town[2] and made his debut on the final match of 2002–03 season, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat at home to Scunthorpe United on 3 May 2003, as Shrewsbury were relegated from The Football League.[3]

He did not play a large role in Shrewsbury's promotion-winning campaign from the Football Conference, but did enjoy a run of games in the second half of the season. Upon the club's return to the Football League, he became first choice, a role he retained for three successive seasons at Gay Meadow. Towards the end of the 2006–07 season, Edwards was the subject of transfer speculation, after rejecting an offered extension to his Shrewsbury contract. He was then controversially left out of the play-off final against Bristol Rovers by then-manager Gary Peters despite playing an important role in their run to the final.[4] The Shrews went on to lose 3–1 and missed out on promotion to League One.[5]

Luton Town

On 26 June 2007, Edwards signed for Luton Town on a three-year deal. As he was under 24, Shrewsbury commanded a compensation fee to cover his youth development. The eventual fee was agreed at a tribunal, but clubs reported differing figures; Luton claiming it was £250,000,[6] with Shrewsbury reporting £250,000 as the initial payment, plus a further £150,000 based on appearances.[7][8]

Edwards made 19 league appearances for Luton Town in League One. However, the club was struggling financially and were only able to pay their players' weekly wages twice in three months, hence a 10-point deduction.[9] He became linked with Championship sides Watford and Nottingham Forest after some good performances in the FA Cup tie against Liverpool. Luton accepted a £675,000 offer from Wolverhampton Wanderers. On 16 January, he signed a two and a half year deal.[10][11]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Edwards playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2014

Two days after signing, Edwards made a goalscoring debut for Wolves on 18 January, in a 2–0 win at Scunthorpe United, the club he had faced in his Shrewsbury debut.[12] However, injuries kept him from playing a regular role in the remainder of the season. He returned fit for the following season, but found new signing David Jones often preferred alongside captain Karl Henry in central midfield; however, Edwards still started half the season's games as they won promotion to the Premier League.

The midfielder became a regular in the team after promotion, and contributed the winning goal against Fulham in the first home win of the season on 20 September 2009.[13] He suffered ankle ligament damage that December which kept him out for four months,[14] but he recovered to make a handful of appearances in the closing months as the club retained their top-flight survival. Edwards' contribution to Wolves in the 2010–11 season was severely hampered by injuries. He did however, make 12 appearances, scoring once, in a 2–1 victory against Manchester City, where he scored past his former Shrewsbury team-mate, and lodger, Joe Hart.[15]

Edwards suffered two injury setbacks during the 2012–13 season, when he firstly tore his hamstring in December 2012 a match away at Bristol City,[16] and then, after returning to first team action, suffered a broken foot in the reverse fixture.[17] Edwards remained with the club after they suffered a second consecutive relegation, scoring nine goals as the team won promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt as League One champions. On 13 June 2014, he signed a new two-year contract.[18]

On 8 August 2015, he scored the winning goal in Wolves' first game of the season away to Blackburn Rovers, finishing Nouha Dicko's cross with his hand. Manager Kenny Jackett said after the game that the goal was scored by Edwards' hand, albeit not deliberately.[19] Five days later, he signed a one-year contract extension to last until 2017.[20] On 23 January 2016, Edwards broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot during the 1–1 draw against Queens Park Rangers,[21] ruling him out for three months.[22] He returned to first-team football on 5 April 2016, coming on as a 92nd-minute substitute in the 2–1 win over Milton Keynes Dons.[23]

International career

Edwards qualifies for Wales through his father from Welshpool.[24] He had previously played for the Wales U17 and U19 teams making his U21 debut against Cyprus on 16 May 2006. He had been selected for the under-21 squad for an earlier friendly against Northern Ireland on 28 February 2006, but missed the match through injury.

His first experiences with the senior team were under John Toshack in 2007, remaining an unused substitute against Slovakia and withdrawing from games against San Marino and Cyprus with a hamstring injury.[25] He made his full international debut on 17 November 2007 against the Republic of Ireland at the Millennium Stadium as a 37th-minute substitute for Carl Robinson in a 2–2 Euro 2008 qualifier.[26]

On 10 October 2008, Edwards scored the opening goal in a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein,[27] and against Azerbaijan on 6 June 2009.[28] He ended the campaign with two goals. Following Wales' disappointing qualifying campaign, he was called up again for 14 November 2009 friendly against Scotland, a 3–0 win, and opened the scoring with a volley from Aaron Ramsey's assist in the 16th minute.[29]

Personal life

Edwards attended Pontesbury's Mary Webb School and Science College.[25] In 2015, Edwards and a friend opened a children's indoor soft play centre in Shrewsbury called Little Rascals.[30]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 1 December 2016
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Shrewsbury Town 2002–03[31] Third Division 1000000010
2003–04[32] Football Conference 16000—6[lower-alpha 1]0220
2004–05[33] League Two 27510101[lower-alpha 2]0305
2005–06[34] League Two 30222001[lower-alpha 2]0334
2006–07[35] League Two 45520103[lower-alpha 2]1516
Total 11912522011113715
Luton Town 2007–08[36] League One 19440201[lower-alpha 2]0264
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2007–08[36] Championship 101———101
2008–09[37] Championship 4432020—483
2009–10[38] Premier League 2010010—211
2010–11[39] Premier League 1512010—181
2011–12[40] Premier League 2630021—284
2012–13[41] Championship 2420010—252
2013–14[42] League One 309100000319
2014–15[43] Championship 4162210—448
2015–16[44] Championship 2951000—305
2016–17[45] Championship 1740020—194
Total 25635821010027438
Career total 3945117414112143957
  1. ↑ Five appearances in FA Trophy, one in Football Conference play-offs
  2. 1 2 3 4 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy

International

As of match played 12 November 2016[46]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Wales 200720
200881
200982
201040
201110
201230
201410
201540
201670
Total383

International goals

As of 12 November 2016. Wales score listed first, score column indicates score after each Edwards goal.[46]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref
1 11 October 2008Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales8 Liechtenstein1–02–02010 FIFA World Cup qualification[27]
2 6 June 2009Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan14 Azerbaijan1–01–02010 FIFA World Cup qualification[28]
3 14 November 2009Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales18 Scotland1–03–0Friendly[29]

Honours

Wolverhampton Wanderers

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 138. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. ↑ "Dave's joy at Premier prospect". Shropshire Star. 21 April 2009.
  3. ↑ "Shrewsbury 1–2 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 3 May 2003. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  4. ↑ "Edwards forgives Peters for axe". BBC Sport. 16 April 2008.
  5. ↑ "Shrewsbury's finest 2000–10". Shropshire Star. 6 January 2010.
  6. ↑ "Edwards Deal Agreed". www.lutontown.co.uk. Retrieved 18 August 2007.
  7. ↑ "Edwards Fee". ShrewsWeb (registration required). Retrieved 18 August 2007.
  8. ↑ "Luton, Shrews end Edwards dispute". BBC Sport. 2 August 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2007.
  9. ↑ "Edwards escapes mad-Hatters party". South Wales Echo. 13 January 2008.
  10. ↑ "Wolves complete Edwards transfer". BBC Sport. 14 January 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2008.
  11. ↑ "Edwards' up and downs of 2007". South Wales Echo. 5 February 2008.
  12. ↑ "Scunthorpe 0–2 Wolves". BBC Sport. 19 January 2008.
  13. ↑ "Wolverhampton 2–1 Fulham". BBC Sport. 20 September 2009.
  14. ↑ "Wolves suffer Dave Edwards ankle injury blow". BBC Sport. 14 December 2009.
  15. ↑ "Wolves hero: Hart will be happy I fired the winner". Daily Mirror. 30 October 2010.
  16. ↑ "Wolves: Dave Edwards ruled out with hamstring injury". BBC Sport. 4 December 2012.
  17. ↑ "Wolves trio Carl Ikeme, Bakary Sako and Dave Edwards ruled out for the season". Express & Star. 25 March 2013.
  18. ↑ "Wolves: Dave Edwards signs new two-year contract at Molineux". BBC Sport. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  19. ↑ "Blackburn 1-2 Wolves". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  20. ↑ "Edwards extends Wolves stay". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 13 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "QPR 1–1 Wolves". BBC Sport. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  22. ↑ "Injury woes are piling up for Wolves". Birmingham Mail. Trinity Mirror Midlands. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  23. ↑ "Milton Keynes Dons 1–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  24. ↑ Wathan, Chris (14 June 2016). "How these nine English-born footballers came to be Wales' Euro 2016 heroes". Wales Online. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  25. 1 2 "Edwards in running for Wales". Shrewsbury Chronicle. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  26. ↑ Jackson, Lyle (17 November 2007). "Wales 2-2 Republic of Ireland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  27. 1 2 Dulin, David (11 October 2008). "Wales 2–0 Liechtenstein". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  28. 1 2 "Azerbaijan 0–1 Wales". BBC Sport. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  29. 1 2 Shuttleworth, Peter (14 November 2009). "Wales 3–0 Scotland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  30. ↑ "Wolves star Dave Edwards plans children's play centre in Shrewsbury". Shropshire Star. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  31. ↑ "Games played by David Edwards in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  32. ↑ "Dave Edwards season details 2003/2004". Hull City Mad. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  33. ↑ "Games played by David Edwards in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  34. ↑ "Games played by David Edwards in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  35. ↑ "Games played by David Edwards in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  36. 1 2 "Games played by David Edwards in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  37. ↑ "Games played by David Edwards in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  38. ↑ "Games played by David Edwards in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  39. ↑ "Games played by David Edwards in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  40. ↑ "Games played by David Edwards in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  41. ↑ "Games played by David Edwards in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  42. ↑ "Games played by David Edwards in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  43. ↑ "Games played by David Edwards in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  44. ↑ "Games played by David Edwards in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  45. ↑ "Games played by David Edwards in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  46. 1 2 "Edwards, David". National Football Teams. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  47. 1 2 "D. Edwards". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 27 March 2016.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/3/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.