Neil Edwards (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Neil Ryan Edwards is a Welsh
former footballer who played as a goalkeeper
, before retiring in 2006. He also played for Wales's under 21's
. After his retirement, he has since been coaching Carlisle United
and Bolton Wanderers
goalkeepers. He is the assistant goalkeeping coach for the latter.
, playing one first team match, a Full Members Cup
game against Barnsley
. He also went on loan to Huddersfield Town
, but failed to play a first team match.
On September 3, 1991, Edwards joined Stockport County
for £5,000, where he played over 200 games for the Greater Manchester
club, but first team opportunities were restricted due to the team's elevated position in 1996-97
.
On November 3, 1997, Edwards joined Rochdale
, where he found himself a fans` favourite, and played his part in one of the best defensive records in Division 3. In the pre-season of the 2001-02 season
, Edwards was named the captain of Rochdale, but injury made him miss the majority of the season due to injury. In the latter seasons, injuries and the impressive performances of Matthew Gilks
forced Edwards out of the first team picture at Spotland
. In total, he played 279 League and Cup games at Rochdale.
Edwards then had two contracts offered to him, by Rochdale and Bury, and on 2 July 2005, he joined Bury
on a one year contract, with the garuntee of first team football as well as a slightly higher wage. "Taff" played 24 League games for the Mancunian Gigg Lane
club, before an injury ended his season, and he decided to retire at the end of season.
manger Neil McDonald's backroom team as goalkeeping coach, but left to Bolton Wanderers
to become their assistant goalkeeping coach to Fred Barber
.
In August 2009, he appeared in a Bolton Legend's game for long serving goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen
in what was a warm up event prior to the main game against Hibernian
.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
former footballer who played as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
, before retiring in 2006. He also played for Wales's under 21's
Wales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
. After his retirement, he has since been coaching Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
and 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....
goalkeepers. He is the assistant goalkeeping coach for the latter.
Playing career
Edwards started his career as a reserve goalkeeper at Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
, playing one first team match, a Full Members Cup
Full Members Cup
The Full Members Cup was an association football cup competition held in English football from 1985 to 1992. It was also known under its sponsored names of the Simod Cup from 1987 to 1989 and the Zenith Data Systems Cup from 1989 to 1992....
game against Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
. He also went on loan to Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, but failed to play a first team match.
On September 3, 1991, Edwards joined Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
for £5,000, where he played over 200 games for the Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
club, but first team opportunities were restricted due to the team's elevated position in 1996-97
1996-97 in English football
The 1996–1997 season was the 117th season of competitive football in England.Arrival into the league and exit out of the league returns in the fourth tier for the first time after its 3 season absence with only 1 relegation spot.- Premier League :...
.
On November 3, 1997, Edwards joined Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
, where he found himself a fans` favourite, and played his part in one of the best defensive records in Division 3. In the pre-season of the 2001-02 season
2001-02 in English football
The 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the...
, Edwards was named the captain of Rochdale, but injury made him miss the majority of the season due to injury. In the latter seasons, injuries and the impressive performances of Matthew Gilks
Matthew Gilks
Matthew "Matt" Gilks is a football goalkeeper who plays for Blackpool. He previously played for Rochdale for seven years before moving to Norwich City in 2007. He stayed one season with the Canaries without making a first-team appearance...
forced Edwards out of the first team picture at Spotland
Spotland
Spotland is a district of Rochdale in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Spodden, and is the home of Spotland Stadium.Historically a part of Lancashire, Spotland was formerly its own township within the ancient parish of Rochdale....
. In total, he played 279 League and Cup games at Rochdale.
Edwards then had two contracts offered to him, by Rochdale and Bury, and on 2 July 2005, he joined Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
on a one year contract, with the garuntee of first team football as well as a slightly higher wage. "Taff" played 24 League games for the Mancunian Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Bury, Greater Manchester, England. Historically within Lancashire, it was built for Bury F.C. in 1885, and has been their home ever since.-History:...
club, before an injury ended his season, and he decided to retire at the end of season.
Coaching career
In the summer of 2006, Edwards joined new Carlisle UnitedCarlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
manger Neil McDonald's backroom team as goalkeeping coach, but left to 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....
to become their assistant goalkeeping coach to Fred Barber
Fred Barber
Frederick Barber is an English former goalkeeper who is currently the goalkeeping coach with Bolton Wanderers and with Northern Ireland.-Local club:...
.
In August 2009, he appeared in a Bolton Legend's game for long serving goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen
Jussi Jääskeläinen
Jussi Albert Jääskeläinen is a Finnish football goalkeeper, who plays for Bolton Wanderers.-Club career:Jääskeläinen was born in Mikkeli, and made his Veikkausliiga debut in Finland for MP Mikkeli in 1992, and became the club's first choice goalkeeper in 1994. In 1996, he moved to VPS Vaasa where...
in what was a warm up event prior to the main game against Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
.