Ex-Shrimper Returns To The Hall
Last updated : 15 June 2004 By Robert Craven
 | Andy Edwards evades a Derby County challenge during his first Blues spell in October 1995. |
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Edwards, who first linked up with Blues as a trainee back in 1989, returns to the Seasiders to add more bite to Tilson’s new-look squad. Having allowed defenders Jamie Stuart, Neil Jenkins and Dave McSweeney to depart, Tilson’s team was starting to look a little threadbare at the back, and the signing of Edwards helps to augment that.
Six-foot three-inch Epping-born Edwards played in 162 games for Southend in his first spell at the club, scoring on seven occasions. He left in 1995 to pursue Barry Fry’s Birmingham City dream, but despite 59 appearances at St. Andrews after his £400,000 move, they were unable to impress upon the Premier League. He became one of Fry’s first signings at London Road as well in November 1996, part of a swap deal that saw Martyn O’Connor head for the Midlands.
It was with some surprise, after 310 starts for the Posh, that he dived across West Anglia to high-flying Division Three side Rushden & Diamonds in March 2003, and after helping them to get promoted in the final eight games of the season, he played in 33 matches for Diamonds in their inaugural Second Division campaign last year. However, he was released as part of Ernie Tippett’s revolution – which included Stewart Robson being unveiled as assistant coach – and he now finds himself back at home.
Having played in both the 1989/90 Fourth Division and 1990/1 Third Division promotion campaigns, and for the next four years in the current Division One, Edwards has what it takes to perform in a successul side, and Steve Tilson is hoping that he will be able to impart that knowledge on the younger generation of Shrimpers talents. He told the club’s official website, www.southendunited.co.uk, “Andy is a very experienced player, he’ll bring that bit of calm to the side. He’s a good leader and vocal and that’s something that will help out some of the younger guys”.
Andy Edwards FactfileAt-A-Glance Statistics
Favoured position: Centre-back
Other positions: Right-back
Nationality: English
Age: 32
Previous clubs: Southend United, Birmingham City, Peterborough United, Rushden & Diamonds
In-Depth Statistics
Factfile
Full Name: Andrew Edwards
Born, Epping, Essex
Date of Birth: 17th September 1971
Height: 6ft 3ins
Weight: 12st 13lbs
Signed: 17th May 2004
Footballing Career
Total Matches: 579
(Of Which As Substitute): 10
Total Goals: 27
League Matches: 485(10)
League Goals: 20
F.A. Cup Matches: 26
F.A. Cup Goals: 1
League Cup Matches: 30
League Cup Goals: 1
Other Matches: 28
Other Goals: 5
Club-By-Club
Southend United (trainee – 14th December 1989-5th August 1995) – 159(6) games, 7 goals
Birmingham City (£400,000 – 5th August 1995-29th November 1996) - 56(3) games, 3 goals
Peterborough United (swap – 29th November 1996-6th March 2003) – 310 games, 13 goals
Rushden & Diamonds (free – 6th March 2003-13th May 2004) - 44(1) games, 4 goals)
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com