Dean Edwards (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Dean Stephen Edwards who played as a forward. He scored for Torquay United
in two different Wembley appearances.
and began his career as an apprentice with Shrewsbury Town
, turning professional in February 1980. He played only 13 times, scoring once for the Shrews before joining Finnish
side Kuopion Palloseura. From there he moved to Vaasan Palloseura
. He subsequently moved to Telford United
from where he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers
in October 1985, playing for Wolves as they fell into Division Four for the first time in their history.
He left Molineux
in March 1987, having scored 10 times in 34 games, joining Exeter City
. He became a regular both on the teamsheet and the scoresheet at Exeter, hitting the net 17 times in 54 league games before moving to Torquay United
in August 1988.
He became an integral part of Cyril Knowles
' side, scoring Torquay's goal at Wembley
in the Sherpa Van Trophy Final
defeat against Bolton Wanderers
, and scored again at Wembley two years later as Torquay won promotion via the play-offs.
In December 1991 he moved back to Exeter City
on a free transfer, having played 116 league games and scored 26 league goals for the Gulls. He stayed only a few months at Exeter before another short spell at Northampton Town
to finish his league career. He played in Hong Kong
, Malta
with Sliema Wanderers, and played a couple of games for Stafford Rangers
the following season. He later returned to Devon
to play for Barnstaple Town
.
in Torquay
, but in August 2000, the Torquay
based Herald Express reported that he was running a social club in his native Wolverhampton
.
In January 2004, Edwards was appointed as player-manager of non-league side Pelsall Villa
, but was unable to prevent the club's relegation and left at the end of the season.
In March 2006 he became assistant manager, under former Wolves
teammate Mel Eves
, at Willenhall Town
and in September 2006, at the age of 44, was still registered as a player for Willenhall. After Eves departed in October 2007, Edwards took over as manager.
Edwards resigned as Willenhall manager in April 2008 and was appointed manager of Northern Premier League
side Hednesford Town the following month. After a strong start took them to the top of the table, a dramatic dip in form saw the Pitmen eventually finish outside the play-offs, despite spending the majority of the season in the top five
The 2009-2010 season saw Hednesford return to the Southern League, after the league restructured, with Edwards bringing in a number of experienced names in a bid to push the club back into the Conference North
. Shortly after being dumped out of the FA Cup
by Hellenic League
minnows Pegasus Juniors at the first qualifying round stage, Edwards departed the club on 15 September 2009. He is currently commercial manager at his former club, Torquay United.
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
in two different Wembley appearances.
Playing career
Edwards was born in WolverhamptonWolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
and began his career as an apprentice with Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
, turning professional in February 1980. He played only 13 times, scoring once for the Shrews before joining Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
side Kuopion Palloseura. From there he moved to Vaasan Palloseura
Vaasan Palloseura
Vaasan Palloseura is a Finnish football club, based in Vaasa. It currently plays in the Finnish Premier Division . The club's manager is Tommi Pikkarainen and assistant manager is Petri Vuorinen. The club plays its home matches at Hietalahti...
. He subsequently moved to Telford United
Telford United F.C.
Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in...
from where he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
in October 1985, playing for Wolves as they fell into Division Four for the first time in their history.
He left Molineux
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
in March 1987, having scored 10 times in 34 games, joining Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
. He became a regular both on the teamsheet and the scoresheet at Exeter, hitting the net 17 times in 54 league games before moving to Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
in August 1988.
He became an integral part of Cyril Knowles
Cyril Knowles
Cyril Barry Knowles was a footballer who played full-back for Tottenham Hotspur and England. He was the brother of fellow professional footballer Peter Knowles.- Early career :...
' side, scoring Torquay's goal at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
in the Sherpa Van Trophy Final
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
defeat against Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, and scored again at Wembley two years later as Torquay won promotion via the play-offs.
In December 1991 he moved back to Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
on a free transfer, having played 116 league games and scored 26 league goals for the Gulls. He stayed only a few months at Exeter before another short spell at Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
to finish his league career. He played in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
with Sliema Wanderers, and played a couple of games for Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
the following season. He later returned to Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
to play for Barnstaple Town
Barnstaple Town F.C.
Barnstaple Town F.C. is a football club that play in Barnstaple, Devon, England. They are currently members of the Western League, a league covering south western England....
.
Managerial career
In Autumn 1996 he became player-manager of Bideford in the Western League, but resigned on 30 July 1998 out of despair at the lack of commitment to pre-season training amongst his squad. Shortly prior to his resignation he had become the licensee of a pub close to PlainmoorPlainmoor
Plainmoor is a suburb of Torquay, Devon, but is best known as the name of the stadium in which Torquay United Football Club currently play.-History:...
in Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
, but in August 2000, the Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
based Herald Express reported that he was running a social club in his native Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
.
In January 2004, Edwards was appointed as player-manager of non-league side Pelsall Villa
Pelsall Villa F.C.
Pelsall Villa F.C. are a football club based in the village of Pelsall, near Walsall, West Midlands, England, currently playing in the Midland Football Combination Premier Division. They are nicknamed The Villains and play at The Bush Ground...
, but was unable to prevent the club's relegation and left at the end of the season.
In March 2006 he became assistant manager, under former Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
teammate Mel Eves
Mel Eves
Melvyn James "Mel" Eves is a former English professional footballer who had a long career playing as a striker and left sided attacker, mostly known for his time with Wolverhampton Wanderers.-Career:...
, at Willenhall Town
Willenhall Town F.C.
Willenhall Town F.C. are a football club based in Willenhall, Metropolitan Borough of Walsall, West Midlands, England, currently playing in the Midland Alliance.-History:...
and in September 2006, at the age of 44, was still registered as a player for Willenhall. After Eves departed in October 2007, Edwards took over as manager.
Edwards resigned as Willenhall manager in April 2008 and was appointed manager of Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
side Hednesford Town the following month. After a strong start took them to the top of the table, a dramatic dip in form saw the Pitmen eventually finish outside the play-offs, despite spending the majority of the season in the top five
The 2009-2010 season saw Hednesford return to the Southern League, after the league restructured, with Edwards bringing in a number of experienced names in a bid to push the club back into the Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
. Shortly after being dumped out of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
by Hellenic League
Hellenic Football League
The Hellenic Football League is an English football league covering an area including the English counties of Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, southern Buckinghamshire, southern Herefordshire, western Greater London, and northern Wiltshire. There is also one team from Hampshire.The league...
minnows Pegasus Juniors at the first qualifying round stage, Edwards departed the club on 15 September 2009. He is currently commercial manager at his former club, Torquay United.