*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Andy Edwards
Appearances: 112+8 Goals: 19
Date / Year of birth: 4th September 1957
Position: Centre-back / Striker
Season of first appearance: 1978/79
Season of last appearance: 1980/81
Also played for: Hertford Town, Bromley, Crawley Town, Dulwich Hamlet, Tooting & Mitcham United and West Wickham
6' 3" tall London-born player who started his career with Hertford Town before moving to Bromley in February 1977.
Andy was a striker at that time and scored twice on his Bromley debut - ironically at Hertford. He also scored on his home debut - a 3-0 win over Finchley at Hayes Lane on 12.2.77.
In November 1977 Andy moved on to Crawley and scored as they lost 3-2 to Margate on 4.3.78. He finished the 1977/78 season as the club's top scorer.
In June 1978 Andy signed for Margate and made his debut in a Southern League Cup tie against Dartford at Hartsdown Park on 21.8.78. The Isle of Thanet Gazette said that he "took the eye with his nimble footwork and willingness to take on an opponent" but Andy struggled to gain a regular place in the early months of the campaign and in October 1978 he was loaned to Dulwich. He returned to Margate in November and began to play more regularly up front following the departure of John O'Mara. On 13.11.78 Andy scored his first goals for the club when he struck twice in a 5-2 win over Ashford and on 2.12.78 he found the net with a 20 yard effort in a 4-1 win over Dartford.
On 10.3.79 Margate manager Jack Smith decided to try Andy out as a centre-back in a home game against Worcester in the wake of Neil Cugley's departure. It turned out to be "an inspired move" according to the Thanet Times. He had a great game, despite Margate losing 2-0, and from then on Andy was a fixture in central defence for the remainder of the season. The Isle of Thanet Gazette said that he "suddenly blossomed" and Football League scouts watched him. Andy ended the campaign having made 35 appearances (seven as a substitute) and he scored five goals.
He went on to become an automatic choice at centre-back during the 1979/80 season and was virtually ever-present, playing in 53 of Margate's 56 matches. Andy scored four goals and had an outstanding campaign, fully deserving the club's 'Player of the Year' award for the season. He was often referred to as "towering" and "commanding" in the local press.
Andy began the 1980/81 season in the heart of Margate's defence but broke his nose during a 1-1 draw with Hounslow at Hartsdown on 26.8.80. Despite this, he played against Dover just four days later but headed into his own net. It was the only goal of the game and the Thanet Times described it as "a tragic mistake". In the months that followed Andy had another stint as a striker and at one stage he scored in three consecutive games. In total he scored an impressive ten goals in 32 appearances (one as a substitute) up to February 1981. However a 3-0 defeat at Dover on 14.2.81 turned out to be Andy's last game for Margate. He joined Dulwich Hamlet as part of the club's drastic cost-cutting exercise which saw most of Margate's senior players depart.
Andy went on to spend three full seasons with Dulwich and made a total of 103 appearances there before leaving the club at the end of the 1983/84 campaign. He scored 22 goals for Hamlet.
He then joined Tooting & Mitcham and made 61 league appearances for the club spanning the 1984/85 and 1985/86 seasons. Andy scored 19 goals during that time before an achilles tendon injury ended his senior career.
Andy later made occasional appearances for Southern Amateur League outfit West Wickham and then played the last football of his career for Old Bromleians' Sunday veterans side in the early 1990's.
In 2005 Andy was living in Beckenham, Kent and working as an insurance broker.
His equally towering brother Paul played alongside him at Dulwich, Bromley and Tooting whilst Andy's father Stan was a professional player at Chelsea during the 1950's.
Andy completed a questionnaire for this site which you can see here.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
| |
|
1978/79 (MFC) |
28 (58) |
7 |
5 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (19TH OF 22) |
4QR |
3R |
1R |
2R |
|
| Margate moved to new Southern League Southern Division following reorganisation of Southern League. | |||||||||
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
| |
|
1979/80 (MFC) |
53 (56) |
0 |
4 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (17TH OF 24) |
4QR |
3QR |
2R |
2R |
|
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
| |
|
1980/81 (MFC) |
31 (58) |
1 |
10 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (22ND OF 24) |
2QR |
3QR |
1R |
2R |
|