Rob Edwards (footballer born 1982)

For other people named Robert Edwards, see Robert Edwards (disambiguation).

Rob Edwards

Personal information
Full name	Robert Owen Edwards
Date of birth	25 December 1982 (1982-12-25)
Place of birth	Madeley, England
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position	Centre back
Club information
Current club	Barnsley
Number	4
Youth career
1999–2002	Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2002–2004	Aston Villa	8	(0)
2003	→ Crystal Palace (loan)	7	(1)
2004	→ Derby County (loan)	11	(1)
2004–2008	Wolverhampton Wanderers	111	(1)
2008–2011	Blackpool	67	(2)
2011	→ Norwich City (loan)	2	(0)
2011–	Barnsley	10	(0)
National team
2003–2006	Wales	15	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:27, 12 January 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).

Robert Owen "Rob" Edwards (born 25 December 1982) is an English-born Welsh international footballer who plays for Barnsley as a centre back.

Club career

Aston Villa

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. 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. However, he managed just 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.

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.

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

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Edwards made the short journey across the Midlands and joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2004 in a three year deal for £150,000. His Molineux career made a slow start, after playing in the club's opening four league games following the club's 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 after Jackie McNamara's first season with the club was curtailed by injury, allowing Edwards to step in. He played the majority of the following season under new manager Mick McCarthy but suffered knee ligament damage in April 2007. 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. He scored his first and only goal for Wolves on 9 February 2008 in a 4–2 home defeat to Stoke City.

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

Blackpool

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. 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. 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.

On 19 July 2010 he agreed a new contract with Blackpool, a one year deal with an option for a further 12 months.

Norwich City

On 21 February 2011, Edwards signed for Norwich City on loan until the end of the season, as cover for Elliott Ward and Zak Whitbread following Leon Barnett's hamstring injury. He made his debut as a second half substitute for Zak Whitbread in the 1-1 draw against Preston North End.

Barnsley

After his released from Blackpool, Edwards was signed for Barnsley on a free transfer.

Club career statistics

As of 24 August 2010

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
England			League		FA Cup		League Cup		Total
2002–03	Aston Villa	Premier League	8	0	1	0	-		9	0
2003–04	Crystal Palace (loan)	First Division	7	1	-		-		7	1
2003–04	Derby County (loan)	First Division	11	1	-		-		11	1
2004–05	Wolverhampton Wanderers	Championship	17	0	-		1	0	18	0
2005–06	Wolverhampton Wanderers	Championship	42	0	1	0	2	0	45	0
2006–07	Wolverhampton Wanderers	Championship	33	0	2	0	1	0	36	0
2007–08	Wolverhampton Wanderers	Championship	8	1	2	0	2	0	12	1
2008–09	Blackpool	Championship	36	2	-		1	0	37	2
2009–10	Blackpool	Championship	20	0	1	0	3	0	26	0
2010–11	Blackpool	Premier League	1	0			1	0	2	0
Career total			184	5	7	0	11	0	203	5

a. 1 league play-off appearance for Blackpool in 2010 (included in 2009–10 total)

Honours

Blackpool

• Championship play-off final winner: 2009–10

• Norwich City
  • League One Champions: 2009–10

International career

Edwards represented England at youth level, but not in a UEFA-recognised game, so qualified for Wales as his parents are both Welsh. He made his debut for Wales before he left Aston Villa, on 29 March 2003, in a 4–0 European Championship qualifying victory over Azerbaijan.

External links

• Rob Edwards profile at blackpoolfc.co.uk
• Rob Edwards career stats at Soccerbase