Neil Edwards (footballer)

Infobox Football biography
playername = Neil Edwards


fullname = Neil Ryan Edwards
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1970|12|5
cityofbirth = Aberdare
countryofbirth = Wales
dateofdeath =
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
height = height|ft=5|in=8
nickname = Taff
position = Goalkeeper
currentclub = Bolton Wanderers
(assistant goalkeeping coach)
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1988-1991
1990
1991-1997
1997-2005
2005-2006
1991-2006
clubs = Leeds United
→ Huddersfield Town (loan)
Stockport County
Rochdale
Bury
Total
caps(goals) = 000 (0)
000 (0)
164 (0)
239 (0)
024 (0)
427 (0)
nationalyears =
nationalteam = Wales U21
nationalcaps(goals) = 001 (0)
manageryears =
managerclubs =

Neil Ryan Edwards (born December 5, 1970) is a former Welsh 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 career

Edwards started his career as a reserve goalkeeper at Leeds United, 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 sesaon, 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 02 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.

Coaching career

In the summer of 2006, Edwards joined new Carlisle United manger Neil McDonald's backroom team as goalkeeping coach, but left to Bolton Wanderers to become their assistant goalkeeping coach to Fred Barber.

ources

*cite book |last=Rollin |first=Glenda |coauthors=Rollin, Jack |title=SKY SPORTS FOOTBALL YEARBOOK 2006-2007 |accessdate=2007-03-25 |edition=37th |publisher=Headline Publsihing Group |language=English |isbn=0-7553-1526-X |pages=451 |chapter=English League Players Directory
*soccerbase|id=2287|name=Neil Edwards'
* [http://www.leedsfans.org.uk/leeds/players/446.html Leeds United fans profile]
* [http://www.football.co.uk/bury/players/neil_edwards_1127.shtml football.co.uk profile]