Rob Edwards (footballer, born 1982)

Born in Madeley, Shropshire, Edwards started his career as an apprentice at Aston Villa, and worked his way up to his first-team debut on 28 December 2002, in a 1–0 home win over Middlesbrough.[2] In January 2003, after playing in three consecutive matches at right-back he signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with the club.[3] Edwards went on to make nine appearances in total for the Villans, all during 2002–03. He was sent on loan to Crystal Palace in November 2003, where he spent one month, playing six games and scoring one goal in a 1–1 draw with Coventry City.[4]

Edwards then joined Derby County on loan in January 2004, where he stayed until the end of the season. He scored one goal for the club against Gillingham on 17 January, and played ten games.[5]

In May 2004, Edwards was told by then Aston Villa manager, David O'Leary, that he could leave the club.[6]

Edwards made the short journey across the Midlands and joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2004 in a three-year deal for £150,000.[7] His Molineux career made a slow start, after playing in the club's opening four league games following relegation from the Premier League, he suffered ankle ligament damage that kept him sidelined for almost six months.

The defender gained more playing time in the 2005–06 campaign and he played the majority of the following season under new manager Mick McCarthy but suffered knee ligament damage in April 2007.[8] that kept him out of the season's end as the team made the play-offs.

On 5 September 2007, in a reserve team match against Walsall, he again suffered knee ligament injury.[9] He scored his first and only goal for Wolves on 9 February 2008 in a 4–2 home defeat to Stoke City.[10]

He was placed on the transfer list in May 2008, despite having one year still to run on his contract.[11]

On 6 August 2008, he left Wolves to join Blackpool, signing a two-year contract with an option for a further year for an undisclosed fee.[12][13] He made his debut for the Seasiders on 9 August 2008 in a 1–0 home defeat to Bristol City. Edwards was captain of the side for the 1–1 draw at Norwich City on 16 August as Keith Southern who had captained the side up to then in the 2008–09 season, was suspended.

On 29 August, Blackpool manager Simon Grayson confirmed that Edwards would be team captain for the season.[14][15] His first goal for the Seasiders came on 29 December 2008 when he scored Blackpool's second equaliser in a 2–2 draw against his former club Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bloomfield Road. During his first season, Grayson left as a Blackpool Manager to join Leeds United and Tony Parkes was the caretaker manager for Blackpool where he was manager until end of the season. Also, Edwards suffered an ankle injury but returned to training to re-establish his place in the side.

After Parkes left Blackpool over finances, Manager Ian Holloway took over. At the time, Edwards urged all the players to do their utmost to impress their new manager.[16] Under Holloway, Edwards made 21 appearances.

On 19 July 2010, he agreed a new contract with Blackpool, a one-year deal with an option for a further 12 months.[17] Edwards explained playing in the Premier League was the reason behind him signing a new contract at the club.[18] In November 2010, Edwards made his first Premier League appearance with Blackpool since the 2002/03 season when he faced his former club Aston Villa in a 3–2 loss.

On 21 February 2011, Edwards signed for Norwich City on loan until the end of the season.[19] He made his debut as a second-half substitute for Zak Whitbread in the 1–1 draw against Preston North End on 5 March 2011 and would go on to help the club clinch promotion to the Premier League.

After his release from Blackpool, Edwards was signed for Barnsley on a free transfer, becoming Keith Hill's seventh signing of the summer.[20] Edwards made his debut for the club in a 0–0 draw against Nottingham Forest on 21 February 2012.

After a short spell at Fleetwood Town earlier in the season, he joined Shrewsbury Town on loan on 31 January 2013.

Edwards during the Jody Craddock Testimonial in May 2014

On 11 October 2013 he announced that he had retired from professional football at the age of 30.[21]

Edwards became Under 18s coach at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. His first season in charge (2014/2015) was considered to be very successful [22] and led to him being promoted to help Head Coach Kenny Jackett for the final two months of the season. Edwards was then promoted to the role of full-time First Team Coach during the summer of 2015.

On 25 October 2016 Edwards was appointed interim head coach at Wolverhampton Wanderers following the sacking of Walter Zenga.[23] He took charge of two games – a 1–1 draw at Blackburn, followed by a 2–3 defeat to Derby – before Paul Lambert took charge. Edwards remained at a club in the role of first team coach until the conclusion of the season when he departed alongside Lambert.[24]

On 28 June 2017 Rob Edwards was named as the new permanent manager of AFC Telford United.[25]

Edwards was appointed as the head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers U23 on 20 July 2018.[26] In his first season in charge of the side, Edwards led the under-23s to promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1, the highest level of youth football, for the first time in Wolves' history.[27]

In October 2019, Edwards left Wolverhampton Wanderers to take up a 'prestigious role' with The Football Association working as a coach with the England U20s.[28] On 24 September 2020, Edwards was appointed as head coach for the England U16s.[29]