Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: Andre on April 05, 2012, 06:19:49 AM
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Carlos Edwards - Farm Training
http://www.youtube.com/v/QdYHe8dP6cw
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Cult Heroes: The Rolls Royce - Carlos Edwards
By David Boyle (The Roker Report)
After a bit of a sticky patch, where the party was certainly postponed, Sunderland will be looking to bounce back from the disappointing showing at Goodison - bloody Everton - with three points against the struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
Wolves always used to be one of those clubs that I hoped could continue to upset the odds, mainly because of their association with Mick McCarthy, a thoroughly likable bloke in my book, but following their rash and ill-advised sacking of the Irishman they look doomed and have for some weeks now.
The build up to the fixture itself wouldn't be complete without our customary look back at a player who represented both sides during their career.
The star of today's piece is certainly more well respected and quite possibly revered for their time on Wearside as opposed to their short stint in the midlands, especially for one very special goal indeed.
It's only bloody Carlos Edwards!
Ankenhaton Carlos Edwards was born in the Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago where he would go on to start his professional football career with the fantastically named Defence Force, the nation's most successful side, probably because it was made up of superheroes given a name like that, following earlier spells with Patna United and Queens Park CC.
During this time the right sided player, adept as either a winger or wing-back, attended the same school as another player who would later become a team-mate on Wearside, Kenwyne Jones, as they both studied at St. Anthony's College in the Westmoorings area.
Edwards didn't hang around his native Trinidad too long however as word of his talent reached Wrexham of all places, where following a successful trial he made the move permanent with a £250,000 transfer agreed along with Defence Force team-mate Hector Sam.
Edwards spent a successful five years at the Racecourse Ground with the 2002/03 season being particularly memorable for the winger as his impressive form along with an impressive ten goals which helped Wrexham to promotion to the Second Division and earned Carlos the Player of the Year award to boot as well as a place in the PFA Team of the Year.
A serious knee injury was to rob Carlos of most of the 2004/05 season, a term which ended in relegation for the Welsh side following the docking of ten points as punishment for going into administration. There was however some silverware to soften the blow in the shape of the Football League Trophy as Wrexham beat Southend United 2-0 at the Millennium Stadium.
As Edwards' contract with The Dragons expired at the end of the 2004/05 term the winger's services were snapped up by newly promoted Luton Town in the Championship. The Hatters boss Mike Newell had been tracking Carlos for some time, a player who first came to his attention whilst managing Hartlepool United and was seen as a useful addition to his squad.
Edwards reportedly turned down offers from Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth Argyle and Coventry City before eventually putting pen to paper for Luton Town; however how much you believe of those claims is up for debate...
Carlos hit the ground running and enjoyed an excellent first season at Kenilworth Road which was topped off with the honour of representing his country in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Edwards' burgeoning reputation as an exciting, tricky winger saw a host of scouts from a number of clubs begin to take up residence in the Luton Stands.
It was therefore no real surprise when upon the opening of the transfer window in January of 2007 that a move was on the agenda for Carlos as Roy Keane saw fit to stump up £1.4m for his services following, reportedly, a recommendation from Sir Alex Ferguson.
It didn't take long for Edwards to win over the Sunderland faithful with a string of notable performances and goals which went someway to helping The Black Cats to a remarkable promotion to the Premier League.
Edwards managed to find the net five times following his transfer from Luton with goals against Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry City, Birmingham City, Southampton but most memorably an incredible strike against Burnley at the Stadium of Light which all but sealed Sunderland's return to the top flight and his cult hero status on Wearside.
The game itself was a real edge-of-the-seat affair as the home side had to show some Roy Keane-esq grit and determination to come from behind and seal the victory. With the scores tied at 2-2, goals for the home side from the footballing icon Daryl Murphy and a penalty from David Connolly, who had missed an earlier spot kick, Carlos Edwards stepped up to give the biggest crowd of the season a moment to cherish.
The move itself was one of real style and panache as Sunderland broke on the 80th minute through Leadbitter and Murphy before the Irishman fed the ball to the right wing into the path of Edwards who had embarked on a surging run to support the attack...
Unfortunately for both Carlos and SAFC his inaugural Premier League campaign would be one dogged with injury. An early hamstring injury was further compounded with a leg fracture which side-lined the popular winger for all but the final three months of the season.
Following somewhat of a spending spree over the summer of 2008 Edwards found himself well down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light before agreeing a loan spell with Saturday's opponents Wolves in October. Edwards made just six appearances for our guests, so it is doubtful they hold him in such a high regard but for that one moment in April of 2007 Edwards will always be fondly remembered on Wearside.
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Ipswich Town skipper Carlos Edwards admits the players have discussed Paul Jewell’s job security
By Stuart Watson (Ipswich Star)
IPSWICH Town captain Carlos Edwards admits there have been whispers in the dressing room regarding the future of under-fire manager Paul Jewell.
With the Blues second-bottom of the Championship table following a return of just seven points from their opening 10 games, mysterious owner Marcus Evans reportedly reiterated his ‘full support’ of the Blues boss immediately after Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Cardiff City.
However, with 63 per cent of fans polled by this newspaper now saying the time for a change of manager has arrived, the Blues skipper has echoed the recent thoughts of new loanee DJ Campbell in saying that the players inevitably have their doubts about the security of Jewell’s job.
“We can only do what we can do on the pitch to help his cause,” said the 33-year-old. “It’s then up to the board of directors, the owners and the people in charge to decide whether or not to give him a little bit of extra time. Who’s to say his job is going to be safe? Only they can know.
“I think fair play to the manager. He is big enough to accept whatever is going to come his way. I would love to see him in the job for a little while still, but I’m just one player. Let’s hope for the best really.”
Asked if the players had discussed the prospect of a change in manager, he continued: “It’s not been a topic really. The lads just get on with the job.
“You might hear a little whisper, but it’s not helpful if we’re sat around discussing about whether the manager is going to get sacked.
“Sometimes a change in manager can work in your favour, sometimes it doesn’t. The last thing you want though is guys huddled in the corner saying ‘give him one more game’ and that sort of thing.
“Whatever discussions the players have, I won’t go running to the manager straight away. If he thinks that things are getting a bit out of hand then it’s up to him to stamp his authority.
“If he wants to have a word with me about certain things then I have no choice but to tell him what I hear. If he asks me the question then I will say that the lads are concerned about certain things.”
He added: “Yes, we do have our concerns, but we just get on with it. I’ll continue to give my all for the manager, the club and the fans and see where we go from there.
“The table doesn’t lie, yes we are in the bottom two, but things can only get better if we stick together as a squad and a management unit.”
(http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/polopoly_fs/ash_012_ipswich_v_cardiff_48_1_1650567!image/2875308789.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_630/2875308789.jpg)
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http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/paul-jewell-leaves-ipswich-town-444633.aspx
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Carlos backing Hutch
By Jonathon Ogle (itfc.co.uk)
Town skipper calling on his team-mates to get behind the caretaker boss during 'sad time' for the Club
Carlos Edwards is calling on his Town team-mates to ‘rally around’ temporary boss Chris Hutchings, following the departure of Paul Jewell yesterday.
Blues parted company with Paul by mutual consent yesterday, with his assistant Chris being placed in caretaker charge for Saturday’s home clash with Sheffield Wednesday
“It’s sad to see Paul (Jewell) leave because he’s a nice guy but unfortunately things haven’t quite worked out for us,” the Town skipper told the Club website.
“But life goes on and the guys are just going to roll their sleeves up for Hutch (Chris Hutchings) now in preparation for the game against Sheffield Wednesday.
“We will give him all the support he needs and everybody is rallying together at this sad time. We are going out there to play for him and hopefully we can get a good result.”
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Player Of The Last Ten Years Poll, Round One: Djibril Cisse Vs Carlos Edwards
By Simon Walsh (rokerreport.com)
Round One continues today with two of the paciest players we've had play for us in recent times, both of whom contributed some unforgettable moments to the club as Djibril Cisse takes on Carlos Edwards...
Djibril Cisse
Djibril Cisse started his Sunderland career as he meant to go on, scoring the winner on his debut at White Hart Lane. After being summoned from the bench by Roy Keane, Cisse duly buried a downward header to send the traveling support into raptures.
The Frenchmen had made a name for himself as a quick, powerful forward and despite two leg breaks earlier in his career at Liverpool, he retained much of his pace. A fine example of this came in the home defeat to Portsmouth. Cisse bagged the opener by pouncing on a ball from deep before outstripping the Pompey defence and slotting home.
He was an opportunist too. His two derby goals are indicative of his ability to be in the right place at the right time. He set the Lads on their way to a first home win over the Mags in almost three decades by reacting quickest to a Steed Malbranque cross shot.
Derby goals create legends on Wearside and his have cemented his place in Sunderland folklore.
In the stands, Cisse was immortalised in one of our finest chants of recent years too. That song sums up why he will forever be a favourite at the Stadium of Light; a flamboyant goalscorer, Sunderland's number 9. (CC)
Read More... (http://socawarriors.net/foreign-based/foreign-based-news/foreign-based-news/12581-player-of-the-last-ten-years-poll-round-one-djibril-cisse-vs-carlos-edwards.html)
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Come on and vote fellas, Carlos trailing as of 5 minutes ago
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went to the game yesterday and i must say our shape composure touches etc were on point.
jones tried his best and boucad asserted himself in the middle without hyland. against caribbean opposition outside of a competition we are class
my concern is carlos edwards
i remmeber mazy runs deft cut backs impeccable touches a great relationship with spann at right back good crosses etc however none of these things were in view yesterday
mr edwards is past it
everything he tried he failed at last night he was our weakest player sadly and was found wanting and lost the ball alot, he got bullied and when under pressure his pass was errant always.
his crosses were found wanting and he attempted to hold on to the ball a tad to much.
i believe that there are a number of beeter players for the position and we should move on
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He was trying too much to impress. Them beat will work in the championship.
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We need Carlos honestly. He really doesn't deserve to be treated harshly for his performance, cmon it's Carlos, when does he have bad games? There is a lot of things to consider before making topic about this thing, firstly, these guys have feelings, not to make excuses but Carlos hasn't played in a defensive position for years, he is a bit older now and the team has changed completely. It will take some getting use to in order to put in a better performance in my opinion.
Having all younger players and this will always be debated until the end of time don't normally make the best team. Edwards brings a lot of experience to the team, his presence there is important to the younger guys and there is so much all of them can learn from him. Let's be fair, this is one of the weakest JA teams we've ever seen, against real opposition experience in players show, it's contagious as well.
I am not defending Carlos or anything here, but maybe you can tone it down a little.. we kept a clean sheet and won the match for what it's worth save it for when it's more deserving.
Some few things I noticed about the team:
Our set pieces can use a bit of polishing up in terms of positioing
Defending and positioning during set pieces can be reworked a bit
When players go down.. the team should call for it (everyone, in a mannerly fashion) not just walk away ..
When Winchester went down in the box.. No one instantly go check if the guy is ok.. whats up with that?
Too much fancy football.. beating 1 and 2 men is risky, would like to see more link up's rather than 1 person running at defenses. The guys are young, some of these other countries in concacaf are wild men.. run at them first thing comes to mind is to take the player out.. just don't want anyone to get hurt for our entertainment.
Sorry I am a backseat coach :(
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Based upon what our head coach said in this interview:
Hart reacts to the 1-0 win over Jamaica
http://www.youtube.com/v/Juz0wQWgmDs
Go to 1:25 for his comments on Carlos
Our 2006 WC players who are still on the team are getting a little long in the tooth now.
So considering that Carlos will be 40 by the time 2018 World Cup year comes round I am not sure if it will be fair on him to help us qualify but then be left out of the squad in 2018 that qualifies because he is too old and way past his best by then. If Carlos is okay with that scenario then cool.
But would Carlos continued inclusion in the T&T squad be a restriction on the opportunities on offer to our younger upcoming players to gain the necessary experience in the position on the field that Carlos would otherwise be taking up?
If Carlos is still consistently putting down outstanding performances for his club and the T&T head coach believes he can still be an essential contributor to the team progression and improvement during our 2018 WC Qualification campaign then I am sure he will give Carlos another call-up.
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Hate to say it, but from what I see on Ipswich forum, he ain't doing very well for them either. Fans doh like him in the team, and he mostly benching anyway.
No doubt he still good enough to have a career. But de writing kinda on the wall, from what I see.
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What next for Carlos Edwards? Mick McCarthy admits Ipswich Town captain’s future at the club is in the balance
By Stuart Watson (Ipswich Star)
The future of Ipswich Town club captain Carlos Edwards is very much up in the air after the veteran winger met with manager Mick McCarthy for preliminary contract discussions last week.
Edwards was a virtual ever-present for the Blues during his first four seasons at the club, but the 35-year-old has been a bit-part player this term, making just nine league starts.
In a recent interview he said he felt very settled in Suffolk with his young family, would jump at the chance to extend his deal beyond this summer and insisted he still has plenty to offer as a player.
However, after being left out of the matchday squad completely for Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Birmingham, the Trinidadian wrote ‘What NEXT?’ on social networking website Twitter. After the game he added: “All that matters! #3points.”
McCarthy said: “I spoke to Carlos last Thursday and had a discussion with him as to where he sees himself. At 35, does he see himself as a first-teamer that is going to be fit week-in, week-out or does he see himself as a squad player and somebody that can help out by playing 20 games rather than 46?
“A lot will be determined by how he feels. Does he want to stay in the Championship or does he want to drop down and play every week? I don’t know yet and I don’t think he does because I had this conversation with him. That was a prelim to any discussion we will have further down the line.”
Asked how he viewed Edwards’ role going forwards, McCarthy said: “Well at 35 he’s not going to be getting any better, not that he’s tailing off and getting any worse I might add because he’s a very fit lad. At some stage though you start having to look to the future.
“If he’s the best and stays in the team then that’s the case. As I’ve said to him and everybody else, we’ve still got 13 games left to play. To start talking about what might be can be counter-productive.
“What you have to do to earn anything is get your nose to the grindstone and play well. That’s for everybody; whether that’s players on loan or those coming towards the end of contracts.”
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(http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mick.gif)
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Mr. Edwards. don't put nothing on twitter and Fb that can be construed against you. Please.
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He should maximise his opportunities, if he wants to coach he should take the rotation position and get his qualifications. If he wants to play, drop down - there are some clubs who can pay for him in League One.
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Ipswich Town club captain Carlos Edwards joins Millwall on loan
By Stuart Watson (Ipswich Star)
Ipswich Town club captain Carlos Edwards has joined Millwall until the end of the season.
The 35-year-old was a regular starter during his first four years at the club, but has made just nine league starts this season (the last of which was the 2-0 home win over Reading on January 25), while he hasn’t been in the matchday squad for the last eight matches.
As a result, manager Mick McCarthy has allowed him to join Millwall until the end of the season, Ian Holloway’s South London side rock-bottom of the Championship table but just three points adrift of safety heading into their final eight matches.
“It’s important for me at this stage of my career to be playing football week-in, week-out,” Edwards told the club website. “When I heard Millwall were keen to take me, I jumped at the chance to go there and play games.
“I wish Ipswich well and I hope when I come back to the club at the end of the season that I will be available for the play-offs!”
The bubbly Trinidad and Tobago international is out of contract this summer and recently said he would love to extend his stay at Portman Road. McCarthy says talks will talk place at the end of the campaign, but admitted ‘there comes a time when you have to look to the future’.
“He wants to play games but he’s not done that here lately,” said McCarthy.
“We have other lads in front of him, so it’s an opportunity for Carlos to go out and play some first-team football and we wish him well.”
Edwards was brought to Portman Road by Roy Keane in 2009, joining from Sunderland alongside Grant Leadbitter in a combined £4m deal. He has made 170 starts and 21 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring 10 goals.
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Edwards explains Millwall move and hopes to recapture Sunderland’s survival spirit
By Tom Moore (Barking and Dagenham Post)
Carlos Edwards, who is on loan at Millwall from Ipswich, admitted he moved to The Den to play first-team football, as well as help the Lions survive the drop.
The 35-year-old made his debut in the 2-2 draw with Blackburn that lifted the south Londoners off the foot of the table but they remain three points adrift of safety.
And Edwards is hoping that he can make a difference to his new team’s hopes in the final seven games.
“I came here to get some playing time. It’s also a challenge, but I want to help the team to get out of the rut they are in.
“I’m looking through the team and squad and thinking to myself, ‘Why?’ It’s a big question because of the quality of players we’ve got.
“It has puzzled me.”
The Trinidad and Tobago international helped Sunderland survive in the Premier League in 2008 and he admitted that he was puzzled as to why Millwall were in a relegation battle, given the squad at Ian Holloway’s disposal.
“You could say it was a habit for me!” he said. “Back then, Sunderland weren’t rock-bottom, but we were looking at the gun barrel.
“It so happened that we dug deep because once we looked around and saw the players who were next to you then you asked yourself, ‘Why are we in this situation?’
“Then you say, ‘Why are we not pulling our fingers out?’
“The lads looked at themselves in the mirror and a few harsh words were said. But we took it on the chin, it was constructive criticism and we survived.
Edwards believes that he will be able to repeat the feat at The Den and has targeted two wins from their away trips to Nottingham Forest and Wigan.
“It’s possible,” he added. “Nothing is impossible.
“We need to put our arms around each other and say, ‘Listen, these next seven games are crucial.’
“But we have the next two games away from home which will take some pressure off the lads. Who knows?
“We may be coming back down the road smiling with six points.”
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McCarthy: Every chance Carlos Edwards could move on
TWTD.co.uk
Boss Mick McCarthy has admitted that it’s likely that skipper Carlos Edwards will leave the club in the summer. The 35-year-old, who joined Millwall on loan last Thursday, is out of contract in the summer.
“Nothing’s been decided totally but there’s every chance that could happen, he’s out of contract,” McCarthy said.
“It always appears one-sided that, that the club allows somebody to come out of contract. But actually, as I’ve explained to one or two of them, while everybody’s badgering me about what’s going to happen, what happens if they get a better offer and then I go to them and say I’d like them to sign?
“They’d do one without a hint of anything towards me, don’t worry about that! It’s not always one way, it’s not the big, bad club that’s holding players to ransom. They’re also the ones who’ve got opportunities to do something else.
“To be fair to Carlos, I could have kept him here and had him as part of the squad, just as a safety valve.
“But I think we can cover that position and as a favour to him, because he has been so good and such a good player for the club - loyal, honest and straightforward - I wanted him to get some football. And it gives him a chance to put himself in the shop window.”
The Trinidad and Tobago international joined the Blues from Sunderland in the summer of 2009 for a fee of £1.35 million during his former Black Cats boss Roy Keane's time in charge at Portman Road.
In total he has made 170 starts and 21 sub appearances for Town, scoring 10 goals, but this season has started only 11 games, in addition to seven matches from the bench, netting one goal.
Edwards made his Millwall debut in Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Town’s next opponents Blackburn Rovers.
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McCarthy: Every chance Carlos Edwards could move on
TWTD.co.uk
Boss Mick McCarthy has admitted that it’s likely that skipper Carlos Edwards will leave the club in the summer. The 35-year-old, who joined Millwall on loan last Thursday, is out of contract in the summer.
“Nothing’s been decided totally but there’s every chance that could happen, he’s out of contract,” McCarthy said.
“It always appears one-sided that, that the club allows somebody to come out of contract. But actually, as I’ve explained to one or two of them, while everybody’s badgering me about what’s going to happen, what happens if they get a better offer and then I go to them and say I’d like them to sign?
“They’d do one without a hint of anything towards me, don’t worry about that! It’s not always one way, it’s not the big, bad club that’s holding players to ransom. They’re also the ones who’ve got opportunities to do something else.
“To be fair to Carlos, I could have kept him here and had him as part of the squad, just as a safety valve.
“But I think we can cover that position and as a favour to him, because he has been so good and such a good player for the club - loyal, honest and straightforward - I wanted him to get some football. And it gives him a chance to put himself in the shop window.”
The Trinidad and Tobago international joined the Blues from Sunderland in the summer of 2009 for a fee of £1.35 million during his former Black Cats boss Roy Keane's time in charge at Portman Road.
In total he has made 170 starts and 21 sub appearances for Town, scoring 10 goals, but this season has started only 11 games, in addition to seven matches from the bench, netting one goal.
Edwards made his Millwall debut in Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Town’s next opponents Blackburn Rovers.
He should get some coaching qualifications and come back to the mother isles :) A man with his capital and experience could really help out the league. Plus, I imagine there aren't many ex-Patna United players who've played abroad! The broader Diego Martin area has a number of good players to their name but only one club in the top 2 leagues (Westside Superstarz).
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With Carlos Edwards’ time at Ipswich Town coming to an end, the Italian Branch of the Ipswich Town Fan Club pay tribute to him with this video.
https://www.youtube.com/v/0nxbvest8eg
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With Carlos Edwards’ time at Ipswich Town coming to an end, the Italian Branch of the Ipswich Town Fan Club pay tribute to him with this video.
https://www.youtube.com/v/0nxbvest8eg
I hatta say Thank you too yes Carlos. Wow. Keep going soldier! and God Bless!
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De Rolls Royce firing man, just scored for Milwall!
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let's hope they can hold on...they need the points!
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let's hope they can hold on...they need the points!
Please don't, Charlton are not looking so hot for points! Please don't send us to League one again! We just beat Yeovil and looking ok, but really don't need a resurgent Milwall :p
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De Rolls Royce firing man, just scored for Milwall!
HIGHLIGHTS of Carlos Edwards’ game-winning goal for Millwall against Wigan
https://www.youtube.com/v/8VHzwtaURfQ
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10259892_10152378194759314_864807126119340557_n.jpg)
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Carlos Edwards keen to stay at Millwall when Ipswich contract expires
Sky Sports
Ipswich Town winger Carlos Edwards has confirmed he would be interested in staying at Millwall once his loan deal expires.
Edwards joined Ian Holloway's side at the end of March and Millwall are unbeaten in the five games in which the 35-year-old has started.
That run has lifted Millwall to a point outside the Championship relegation zone ahead of Monday's home game with fellow strugglers Doncaster Rovers.
Trinidad & Tobago attacker Edwards is unsure of his long-term future, but he is hoping that Holloway will want him at The Den next season.
"The confidence in the side is very good at the moment," said Edwards, who is out of contract at Ipswich in the summer.
"I don't know if the gaffer has plans for me to stay on, but I'd like to."
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Edwards hopes to play his part in Millwall's Great Escape
By Alex Aldridge (News at Den)
CARLOS Edwards hopes to become a Millwall hero by the end of the season.
The 35-year-old's arrival at The Den has coincided with a six-game unbeaten run which has put the Lions within touching distance of Championship survival.
Edwards, whose contract with parent club Ipswich expires in the summer, is unsure what his future holds beyond the end of the campaign.
So he wants to leave The Den on a high next month - and then he will assess whether a permanent move to SE16 could be on the cards.
He said: "I came here to help the team get out of the situation that they were in and I'm close to doing that.
"I hope, come the end of the season, that I can say I played my part in survival - or The Great Escape as the fans call it.
"In the summer, maybe I can sit down with Mr Holloway and see if he wants me to stay on.
"I think most likely I'll be moving on from Ipswich but where to is the next question."
A breath of fresh air at right-back, Edwards has been a key figure in the Lions' revival.
"Looking at the fixtures we had three weeks ago, a lot of people had written us off," he said.
"For the lads to turn things around is second to none. The manager has done a wonderful job.
"You could say me coming in has freshened things up a little, but it all boils down to the group and we've dug in and pulled our fingers out.
"We've taken 12 points from 18 - not long ago, it didn't look like we'd win another game."
Holloway added: "Carlos is so laid back and that's really helped. He hasn't stopped smiling since he's been here.
"But I can't think about next season yet - I've got to deal with these last two games first."
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Carlos Edwards hasn’t just silenced the doubters, his accomplished performances have lent him a messianic quality among the Den faithful. Still exceptionally fit despite his advancing years, Edwards immediately showed the touch of a man good enough to have earned 86 international caps. His poise, energy and positive running on the right flank balanced up that side of the pitch, where the yawning gap caused by James Henry’s departure for Wolves was finally plugged.
Edwards’ winning goal in the 1-0 win at Wigan in early April also continued the momentum that a win at Forest three days prior had engendered. If Millwall do not sign Edwards permanently this summer, the natives will not be amused.
http://offsiderulepodcast.com/2014/05/07/the-championship-how-on-earth-did-millwall-survive-in-2013-14/
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Really glad it worked out for him :) Don't fancy facing him next season though!
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Carlos sign one year deal with Milwall
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Talisman Carlos Edwards becomes a Lion
millwall.co.uk
Ian Holloway has made the first addition to his squad for the 2014/15 season and while his new acquisition is hardly a surprise it is likely to be a popular one.
Carlos Edwards made his Lions debut on loan from Ipswich Town in the 2-2 draw against Blackburn Rovers on 29th March as Millwall embarked on a remarkable eight match unbeaten run to the end of the campaign which saw them beat the drop by three points, having seemingly been dead and buried the day Carlos signed for the club.
The right back also netted the all-important winner at Wigan on 8th April, a result that lifted Ollie's men out of the bottom three.
He said: "I didn't even think about the League position to be honest. I was just really keen to go to Millwall and play, and it soon became clear to me that we had enough in the dressing room to go on a run and get the results we needed.
For me it was really exciting because we were playing good football and getting wins and draws every game, so I was enjoying myself. To stay up was great and now I'm delighted to be joining the club on a permanent basis and really looking forward to next season."
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Congrats! :beermug:
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Congrats! :beermug:
:beermug:
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Well done Los.
Remember, Bravehart knows you eh retire yet so stay fit as you can be called anytime as a veteran to influence the youths.
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Carlos Edwards thanks the Ipswich Town fans as he signs for Millwall, but says Mick McCarthy’s silence left a ‘bitter taste’
By Stuart Watson (Ipswich Star)
Carlos Edwards has issued a heartfelt thank you to Ipswich Town fans, as well as a sideways swipe at manager Mick McCarthy, after signing for Championship rivals Millwall.
The 35-year-old Trinidadian said recently that he felt ‘Suffolk born-and-bred’ following five years with the Blues, but McCarthy admitted back in March that he ‘may have to start looking to the future’.
Edwards finished the season on loan at Millwall, helping them avoid relegation, and yesterday completed a Bosman switch to The Den – signing a one-year deal with the option of a second year.
“I just really want to say thank you to the Ipswich fans because they showed me so much support – on and off the pitch,” said Edwards.
“It was a difficult time for me when the twins arrived (prematurely in 2011), but everyone associated with the club helped me and my wife.
“I’ll always have great memories from my time at Ipswich. I hope the fans have good memories of me too. I certainly always gave my best every time I pulled on the shirt.”
On not being offered a new deal at Portman Road, he said: “I’m actually still waiting for someone to say something to me.
“The manager sent me out on loan and I had a word with him then. He then sent me a text saying ‘all the best’ before my first game for Millwall. That was the last I heard from him.
“He should have tried to talk to me at the end of the season, even if it was just a five minute chat for him to say ‘this is the situation’.
“It has left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth because I expected a lot more from the gaffer really.”
Ipswich-based football advisor Ronnie Mauge was the middle man in the deal, the former Whitton United player/manager having played under Ian Holloway at Bristol Rovers.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Ollie,” said Edwards. “He’s made me feel wanted. The legs are still going, the mind is still wanting it, so I have to keep playing as long as I can because you’re a long time retired.
“I’m going to take my coaching badges and I don’t know if I’ll return to Ipswich one day in some sort of capacity, but I wish the club all the best for the future.”
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Carlos Edwards is one of the reasons Millwall are exceeding expectations.
Carlos Edwards - this man is quite simply unbelievable. 35 years old? No way. Not having that. The former Sunderland full-back could probably run a marathon and then another. And another. In the same day. His fitness is remarkable for a man of his age – and he can play football, too. We haven’t lost since he came into the side. Go figure.
http://shoot.co.uk/lions-exceeding-expectations/
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Carlos Edwards, hoping to begin coaching badges soon
By Jay Taylor (newsatden.co.uk)
CARLOS Edwards has revealed that he is looking to get into management once his playing days are over.
The 35-year-old will have a discussion with boss Ian Holloway about starting his UEFA badges in the near future.
And Edwards has not ruled out the possibility of his first coaching job being at The Den.
Edwards said: "I want to get into coaching and I'm going to have a word with the manager about getting my license.
"I don't want to stop playing and then all of my experience goes to waste.
"Even if I started off with the kids, I feel I have something to offer. That's one of my aims.
"I'll have a word with the manager and see if I can help him in anyway possible.
"If it's a coaching job at Millwall, or I go somewhere else, only time will tell."
Last season, loanee Shaun Derry was offered, and then accepted, the manager’s job at Notts County and Edwards admits he would have to consider a similar proposal.
"It's a question I really don't have an answer for at the moment," he added. "But things like that you can't really say 'no' to.
"I'd obviously have to think it over with my family, see if it's the best choice and make a decision from there."
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Millwall manager Ian Holloway fears Carlos Edwards has suffered a serious injury. The Trinidad and Tobago international was stretched off after five minutes after suffering a knee injury and the Lions boss revealed that there was a ‘pop’ as he went down.
http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/millwall/holloway_hails_millwall_duo_after_forest_draw_but_fears_lengthy_absence_for_edwards_1_3778041
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Devastating blow for Carlos Edwards
millwallfc.co.uk
Carlos Edwards has been dealt a devastating blow with confirmation that he has suffered 'significant' knee ligament damage following a scan on Monday morning.
The popular right-back was stretchered off after seven minutes of Saturday's 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest after falling awkwardly in a challenge with Britt Assombalonga.
Lions physio Bobby Bacic told millwallfc.co.uk: "Carlos has had a scan earlier today and, as feared, it has shown that he has significant knee ligament disruption, involving the cruciate and lateral ligaments. He has also sustained a rupture to the hamstring muscle.
"Carlos will be seeing a specialist tomorrow with a view to surgery. We will update further in the week."
Everyone at The Den sends Carlos our best wishes during his recovery period.
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pressha! Get well soon Rolls Royce!
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WTF! Carlos you need to call Dawg for some advice on this one!
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Sorry, Carlos.
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Oh dear......how terrible...... :(
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Ian Holloway fears Carlos Edwards could miss a year for Millwall
skysports.com
Millwall boss Ian Holloway fears Carlos Edwards will be out for a year following his horror knee injury.
Right-back Edwards has visited a specialist after suffering cruciate and lateral ligament damage, as well as a ruptured hamstring muscle, against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Yet Holloway remains confident the 35-year-old will eventually be back in a Millwall shirt.
"He'll be out for a minimum of nine months - but it will probably be 12 months. It was a freak injury," Holloway told News at Den.
"But apart from the horrible, traumatic injury that Carlos has suffered, the surgeon is very pleased with his knee.
"The joint itself is as good as anybody's. There is no reason why the operation won't work.
"He's a very intelligent and fit boy and he's very dedicated. There's no reason why he can't get back playing. Everybody is gutted for him because he's made a big difference.
"He's a big part of the squad and very popular here."
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Get well soon Carlos... as one door closes another opens..Coaching badges time..
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/barrie5000/RollsCrash_zpseae6a19f.jpg)
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Carlos Edwards not rushing his return from injury
millwallfc.co.uk
Millwall right-back Carlos Edwards says he is taking the rehabilitation from his long-term knee injury "one day at a time".
The Lions have been without the experienced defender since September when he suffered damage to both his cruciate and lateral knee ligaments early on in the 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Always one to look on the bright side of life, however, Carlos has embraced his rehabilitation programme but has not set a date for a return to first team action.
Speaking in matchday programme The Lion, he said: "I have never been a negative person and in that sense, as soon as I knew what the matter was I started to focus on my recovery.
"As the gaffer here said very early on, you use an awful lot more muscles in your face when you are angry, so if you smile a lot - as I like to - it keeps you looking young, and also it just helps keep you positive.
"Rehab-wise it is all going to play. Bobby (Bacic) has a structured plan in place although there is some improvisation too.
"I think that the medical team like working with me because at the end of the day I'm easy-going. There are days when I come in and think 'oh no, not again', but you know what, I look at it and think it needs to be done.
"I can't baby my knee and can't sit around because it's not going to do me, my missus, the kids, the club, the manager, the physio and the fans any good. I desperately need to get back.
"It is one day at time," he added. "I do set myself targets, but pencil in playing in by April, May? No. I set myself three-week targets. If I do two weeks and think that it is going OK then, with agreement, I can maybe up the weights a little, or whatever, and that's how I do it.
"Until I reach that six-month mark, that is when I will know if I can see light at the end of the tunnel but at this present time I'm not seeing the light because I'm not doing the things that they don't want me to do. I'm not rushing it too much. One day at a time."
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Carlos Edwards is ranked #79 on the list of the 100 greatest Sunderland signings
79. Carlos Edwards
- Winger joined Sunderland from Luton Town in 2007 for £1.5m
- Helped the club to promotion in his first half-season, with a late winning goal against Burnley helping to get Sunderland over the line
- Injuries restricted him in the Premier League, although he did force his way back in under Ricky Sbragia
- Made 56 appearances for Sunderland, scoring five times
- Left the club in 2009 to join Ipswich Town, where he stayed until 2014, when he moved to Millwall.
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/sunderland-afc/the-100-greatest-sunderland-signings-80-76-1-7040944
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Carlos Edwards spurs on young T&T hopefuls.
By Shaun Fuentes (Guardian).
T&T 2006 World Cup team player Carlos Edwards is back home for a few days and spent some time viewing the national team in training at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain on Tuesday evening.
Edwards has been sidelined for ten months after reputing ligaments and tearing his hamstring last year. He has begun light training and has another four months before taking the field again.
The former Defence Force man, who has played in the Premiership with Sunderland, had some words of encouragement for the new faces in the T&T team for tomorrow’s friendly international against Panama at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Edwards remembers playing in a World Cup qualifier for T&T against Panama at the Queen’s Park Oval in 2000. T&T won the match 6-0 with Dwight Yorke scoring a hat-trick. But times have changed and Panama have since emerged as one of the top teams in Concacaf, reaching two Gold Cup Finals and narrowly missing out on qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
“Panama are different not but I remember that World Cup qualifier for me as though it were yesterday. I was much younger at the time but I was so excited and I knew this was the start of a long career for me. It’s the same for these new guys.
They have to grab the opportunity coach Hart has given them and launch their international careers with a bang. It’s natural to be nervous but they are at home and they are with their friends and teammates on the field of play. They must come together and put out the best. That’s all it takes at the end of the day,” said Edwards who has played 88 times for T&T.
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Carlos Edwards talks about his injury and has some words of advice for the new Warriors.
https://www.youtube.com/v/taTMl08tpC0
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Carlos Edwards talks about his injury and has some words of advice for the new Warriors.
https://www.youtube.com/v/taTMl08tpC0
He was at the game with his children.
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"CARLOS EDWARDS has been given the green light to join in full training by his surgeon, which is very pleasing news.
"However, although Carlos deserves a pat on the back for reaching this milestone, we still need to be cautious. We will continue to monitor his knee during this period to make sure it is up to the rigours and demands of full training."
http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/article/millwall-injury-update-on-shaun-williams-jamie-philpot-and-carlos-edwards-2504197.aspx
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Carlos Edwards makes his comeback for a Millwall Xl in behind-closed-doors friendly
millwallfc.co.uk
Carlos Edwards made his long-awaited return from injury on Monday afternoon as a Millwall Xl drew 1-1 with AFC Wimbledon in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
Edwards, 36, started the game and played 45 minutes - his first action in a Millwall shirt for just over 10 months.
The right-back has showed remarkable willpower and professionalism to overcome the serious knee injury which he picked up against Nottingham Forest in September 2014 and is enjoying being back around the squad on a regular basis.
"I feel good," a joyful Edwards said.
"It came to the point in pre-season where I had to get my first run out and give the knee a good test.
"It's really good to be back out playing with the guys and trying to get some minutes under my belt.
"We have had to go from step one to step two and progress from there. To get out the treatment room is relief because at the end of the day you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
"I went to see the surgeon and he was happy for me to start pre-season. I couldn't look back and here I am today."
Alfie Pavey netted Millwall's goal during the friendly.
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:cheers:
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Edwards so grateful to Millwall physio team
By Toby Porter (South London Press)
MILLWALL defender Carlos Edwards has expressed his profound thanks to the club’s medical staff after his 11 months in rehab following a knee injury.
The 36-year-old had ruptured the cruciate and lateral ligaments of his right knee and tore his hamstring in a freak accident in the seventh minute of the 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest in September 2014.
He signed a new contract with the Lions last week and is very pleased to be back playing.
“I am so grateful for all the hard work Bobby Bacic, Steve Brown, Warren Cock and Joe Sundborg put in for me,” said the right-back. “They could have had a lot of time off but they were stuck at the training ground working their socks off trying to get me fit.
“I thank them from the bottom of my heart. They knew what I was capable of and did not ask me to do anything I couldn’t do. But they were pushing me all the way.
Edwards was pleased to sort out the deal over the last month.
“It was always going to be about trying to get something that was right for both sides,” he said. “I am confident in my knee now. I am not going to cross that line with any doubts. There will be no ifs or buts - it will be just about what I can do for the team. That injury is gone, This is a fresh, new Carlos in the team.”
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"Fresh new Carlos" :rotfl: ah like dah one ...
Molino, take note eh. Daiz how it must be done. Believe!
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Edwards baffled by Holloway's failure at Millwall
By Toby Porter (South London Press)
RETURNING Millwall defender Carlos Edwards was baffled by former boss Ian Holloway’s inability to turn their form around - but he thinks Neil Harris has brought back the feelgood factor at The Den.
Holloway was sacked in March after six games without a win, with Harris taking over two days later.
But Edwards believes the rot had been setting in before that run ended.
“It did baffle me a bit,” he said. “Ian Holloway’s heart and his mind were in it.
“But after a while, the trust goes with a group of players. A manager needs that and vice-versa. That went out of the window. It is vital in any relationship.
“I was not around for a while and don’t know what went on in meetings or what was said after games.
“If players do not trust your judgement, it can become an avalanche.
“Neil Harris has brought belief back. He has also forged a togetherness in the team.
“He also has a huge amount of experience as a player - he was a pain, because he scored too many goals against my clubs.
“He knows Millwall through and through and wants to bring that feeling back.
“It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to play under him. There is still a lot I?can learn - from him and David Livermore. As players, we have to relish and cherish the good relationship they have with us.
“If results are not going so well, the senior players need to step forward and help.
“Everyone should be a leader, whatever their age, and take responsibility.
“Older ones might have a bit more authority,
“But you can always voice your opinion, whatever your age.That is the only way a club can move forward.”
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Millwall’s manager lauds Carlos Edwards' impact in Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win
By Jay Taylor (News at Den)
MILLWALL manager Neil Harris hailed the return of Carlos Edwards in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win against Peterborough on Tuesday night.
Edwards played the full 90-plus minutes on his return to competitive football 344 days after suffering a serious knee injury.
The defender was released in the summer but was allowed to carry on his rehabilitation with the Lions before earning a new deal until January after proving his fitness.
And the Millwall boss is pleased to finally be able to call on Edwards’ experience, something he believes the squad have missed.
“He is a great fellow, and it is great to have him back in the dressing room.” Harris said.
“To have him back in the squad and to have his leadership is brilliant. He’s not a big shouter or talker, but he is calm.
“I think he would be the first to admit there was a little bit of rustiness in him at times, but that'll improve.
“With every game that he plays he will get better.
“He played some lovely passes and a couple of the attacks we had towards the end of the game were balls he played slightly longer into the channel.
“He has the ability and the knowledge to mix his game up.”
Edwards, 36, took to Twitter after the win to express his feelings on his return after almost a year out.
He tweeted: “It felt good to be back, and back to winning ways, long may it continue”
Meanwhile, Harris is pleased that the international break will give his side time to recover from a relentless start to the new campaign.
And the Lions boss hopes that he will soon be able to call on defensive reinforcements with Joe Martin and Shane Ferguson close to a first-team return after their respective injuries.
Harris said: “It’s an opportunity to get players back and recover from the hard work we've done since the end of June.
“And it’s an opportunity to work really hard and get the payers fitter and stronger, and I think that being able to get Joe and Shane fit again will be key for us.”
Edwards: It was a pleasure to put back on Millwall shirt
By John Kelly (News at Den)
CARLOS Edwards said he was “emotional” making his Millwall return in the win over Peterborough on Tuesday night.
Edwards started at right-back in the Football League Trophy tie and supplied the injury-time assist for Shaun Williams’ winning header.
After recovering from knee ligament damage that kept him sidelined for almost a year, the 36-year-old praised the club for giving him the chance to continue his rehabilitation under the guidance of physio Bobby Bacic and the medical department, despite his contract having expired during the summer.
After proving his fitness he is now signed to a deal until at least January.
“I always say ‘practice makes permanent’,” Edwards told Lions Live on Thursday evening. “The harder I work the better I get at what I do.”
“I could give myself a pat on the back, but then again it was a team effort with Bob and myself and his staff.
“I think in this industry everybody will get a bit of criticism… but he will find whatever he thinks fits to get the player back.
“I had already prepared myself for the worst (after the injury) and it was just a matter of me saying, ‘Listen, it’s already gone, there’s nothing I can do about it anymore, it’s for me now to put my head down and work as hard as possible to get back’, and I did that and there I was on Tuesday running around like a gazelle for 90 minutes.
“It was a pleasure to put back on the shirt. It was a really, really emotional time for me. My wife came out to support me. The kids weren’t there because it was a night game and they were in bed, but being back out, in front of not much fans, but being at The Den made me feel, yes, I’ve worked hard and achieved something that I wanted to.
“I don’t think there are many clubs that would let a player continue their rehabilitation and actually join in in pre-season not knowing the future of the player.
“I think the fans also had a major part to play, they kept sending tweets and good wishes… and that inspired me also to want to get back playing.”
Edwards linked up with Fred Onyedinma – who is half his age – on the right flank against Dave Robertson’s side and outlined the advice he has been passing on to his young team-mate, citing a passage of play late in the game when the attacker lost the ball with Edwards overlapping outside.
“Sometimes it’s a rush of blood,” he said of the younger players. “You’re in that position, you’re like a horse, you’ve got the blinkers on and seeing straight and not seeing what is at the side of you.
“I know a lot of players at that point might shout and yell at him but I don’t mind players losing the ball or trying something in the last third of the pitch, you never know what might happen.
“He could have had a shot, it could have ricocheted and come to me and I could have had a shot, scored, or crossed for someone else.
“All I could say to him at that point in time was, ‘Fred, have a look around, be aware, maybe take a pace or two off when you’re running that quickly just to let your team-mates catch up.’
“You know, I’m 40, going on 41! At the end of the day I’m the one who has to get back.
“But I would never discourage any player from taking on a defender. Sometimes you have to be selfish, but it’s a team game.
“I said to him against Chesterfield, ‘Freddie, mix your game up a bit… teams are eventually going to know your strengths and they’re going to double-team you so when you get that ball call one of your attacking partners and play a little one-two.’
“And he said, ‘Yeah, I was trying.’ I said, ‘You weren’t trying, if you were trying you would have been shouting at someone to do it.’”
Meanwhile, Edwards pulled no punches describing Millwall’s home form last month, but believes the win against the Posh can finally launch their season.
“Teams have been coming to The Den wanting to get our scalp, they know if they get our scalp it’s a big bonus for them.
“That’s something that in the past was really hard to do – now it’s like taking candy from a baby.
“But August is gone, we can’t do anything about the games we lost and that game on Tuesday, I hope, is the stepping stone for things to come.”
Millwall's Carlos Edwards relishing competition for places
By Toby Porter (South London Press)
Carlos Edwards made his long-awaited comeback on Tuesday - and after 11 months out, he is relishing the prospect of taking on Cummings to wrestle for the place.
The 36-year-old had ruptured the cruciate and lateral ligaments of his right knee and tore his hamstring in a freak accident in the seventh minute of the 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest in September 2014.
He had reconstructive surgery days later and has been pushing himself flat out to get back to playing ever since - so he is happy to have returned and be competing for a place.
He set up the winner in Tuesday’s 1-0 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win over Peterborough and is hoping that can lead to more games soon.
“Competition is what the gaffer needs,” said Edwards, the day after signing a six-month deal which takes him through to January.
“He needs people who will give him that headache. You do not want it to be a no-brainer every week picking the team.
“You need people on your shoulder, breathing down your neck - saying ‘Listen, if you slip, I?am ready to take your position.’ It is healthy when it’s like that.”
Only someone with Premier League experience could have matched Edwards’ attributes, and so it was that Shaun Cummings was signed in January.
But it was not a sad day for the Trinidad & Tobago international.
“With no out-and-out right-back while I was out injured, the club needed to act,” said Edwards.
“I did not think it was the end of me. I was glad and excited because we needed to stabilise in that position.
“It was a blessing. I was congratulating Shaun and welcoming him with open arms. We are fellow professionals, even if we are competing for the same position. That is what you need in a team. It’s healthy.
“I am not going to try and beat him up. There might be a little niggle,” he joked.
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Fossil Fuel: Edwards is happy to be Millwall's lucky charm
By Toby Porter (South London Press)
DEFENDER Carlos Edwards is happy to be dubbed Millwall’s lucky charm, as their revival has coincided with his return.
The right-back missed 11 months of football after a horrific triple injury almost a year to the day tomorrow.
Edwards’ return to the side has coincided with three wins on the bounce - after they had gone five matches without a victory without him in the side.
And he wants that run to continue against boss Neil Harris’ hometown club Southend tomorrow.
Edwards said: “Everyone is calling me the lucky charm! Who’s to know why I am?
“One player can make a big difference, or even two players - you never know. Maybe the guys just see me as the calm, collected, relaxed Carlos and they see for themselves how I can fit into my role on the pitch.
“I tend to speak positively and I want to roll on now - Saturday can’t come too soon for me.
“The spirit with the boys right now in the dressing room and the staff - you can see for yourselves, and the fans are loving it at the moment.
“They travelled all the way up to Port Vale and even up to Crewe.
“I’m the Fossil. It would be very unfair for me with the experience I have not to pass on my knowledge to the other guys. I tend to give them small tips. I don’t tend to be the dad or someone that I’m not. I just try to be me and me is the person you see on pitch.
“That’s what I’ve been working on for the last 11 months. I didn’t want to just work in the gym to get back fit to be a squad player.”
Neil Harris said: "The attributes Carlos possesses are experience, calmness and knowledge, which are crucial in the dressing room.
"But he is also a very good footballer.
"Our three wins have coincided with the return of him, Aiden O’Brien and Nadjim Abdou and we are more settled as a team.
"But this squad as a whole is a small, tight-knit group who work hard for each other - and push each other as well."
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Out of those last 3 wins, 2 have been shutouts as well. :beermug:
I hope he continue to play well for the rest of the year and gets a contract extension beyond the current January 2016 one. At 36 another major injury may be tough to recover from/justify a contract from another club.
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Carlos suffers injury setback.
By Shaun Fuentes (TTFA).
Midfielder Carlos Edwards has been sidelined with a hamstring injury which he sustained in Millwall’s 2-1 defeat to Barnsley earlier this month.
Edwards, just back following a lengthy lay off following surgery, was forced to leave the game in the 68th minute.Club manager Neil Harris said Edwards’ absence at right back would not affect the club’s transfer plans.
“Carlos is definitely going to be out for a period of time, he’s pulled his hamstring. He’s going to be out for a number of weeks,” Harris said. “But we won’t be looking to bring anybody in.”
Edwards recently signed an extension to his contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the season. “They say hard work pays off and the contract extension was something the club and I were working towards for some time.The club has kept its promise and now I'm looking to help Millwall back to the Championship,’ Edwards stated.
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Millwall ace Carlos Edwards isn't on his knees just yet
By Toby Porter (South London Press)
HIS knees are a mass of scars, not all of them from football.
But Carlos Edwards doesn’t mind, because he is still playing at the age of 37.
“By the time I am finished I won’t have anything left - I will be walking on my knees,” he joked.
He had to leave the field after a crunching tackle in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Blackpool.
The defender has cruciate knee ligament surgery scars on each knee and marks from a lateral ligament operation on one. There are also ones from when he served in the army in Trinidad, before his football career took off. And there is a scar from an injury sustained in a playground, aged seven.
“The scars from the stitches are much bigger than my football ones,” he said. “I think they must have used laces to sew me up.”
He has twice been out through left hamstring injuries this season, for three weeks from mid-November and from the 2-1 defeat at Barnsley in January, until last weekend.
“It was a hip issue,” Edwards revealed. “Our physio Bobby Bacic had a few tests done and they showed my left side was a bit weak, which happens. The first time, it was like a pull then it turned into a tear. My muscles are deteriorating a bit now.
“The pitch at Barnsley was awful. And their winger, Adam Hammill, was quick - he reminded me of me when I was 20.”
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Why Millwall ace Carlos Edwards is so vital for the run-in
By Toby Porter (South London Press)
Carlos Edwards might be known as the Fossil, but he’s more like a dad to many of Millwall’s players.
And the 37-year-old’s experience will be vital in the League One run-in for the youngsters in Neil Harris’ side like Ben Thompson, Mahlon Romeo, Jordan Archer and Jed Wallace.
As the Lions go into the last 11 games of their campaign, Edwards said: “We have come so far in a short time and we have a great opportunity.
“We need to keep our focus. I can’t wait for the games to come. We need to be our brother’s keepers and look after each other.
“We have to continue to work on the little faults - to improve a bit more in certain areas; and to take one step at a time.
“Don’t study what anyone else is doing - that is the least of our worries. The teams around us need to do what they need to do - and we need to do what we need to do.
“As we come to the last games, we might need teams to do certain things. But at the moment, it is in our hands, especially as we have games against the teams around us.
“It is not going to be easy. We will be playing clubs who want to be in the play-offs like us and others who are trying to escape relegation.
“But we are thinking about 2013-14, where we had eight games to save our season and we made it. Only this time, we have 11 games to get promoted.
“Automatic promotion is not even on our minds. We will just tick the games off and see where we end up on May 2.”
Edwards was back in the team on Saturday, at left-back, as a result of Joe Martin’s suspension for a 10th booking.
“The gaffer had a word with me on Thursday and with Mahlon Romeo and Shane Ferguson doing really well, he didn’t want to shuffle the team too much,” said Edwards. “I told him I was up for the challenge.
“No one wants to be sat back with their feet up for the rest of the season. I was really happy he thought fit to put me in.
“It is different playing on the left, but not that different. The last time I played there was for about 10 minutes in the 1-0 win over Bournemouth on the last day of 2013-14.
“A professional should be able to play any position. You might not want to put a keeper as a striker - thought Jordan Archer might like to try. But if called upon, you should be able to do a job.
“The manager knows my defensive qualities. Crossing with my left foot is getting there - though I have to take the whole of the warm-up to crank it up.
“And I know I can find strikers or midfielders in the box if they are there.”
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Timely post.
Keep the battle alive 'los. Yuh cyah call it quits before Marvin.
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Timely post.
Keep the battle alive 'los. Yuh cyah call it quits before Marvin.
:rotfl:
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Millwall ace Edwards: "We should welcome competition from young players coming through"
By Toby Porter (South London Press)
The challenge from young Millwall players should be welcomed by those whose places they are trying to take.
That’s the stance of Lions right-back Carlos Edwards, who faces a tough task to win back his right-back berth with the form of Mahlon Romeo.
“That is the joy of it,” said the defender. “You don’t want me turning up every week with a cigar, assuming I will start every game. You want players to be kicking at your heels, trying to take their chance.
“Shaun Cummings was injured and so was I - and fair play to Mahlon, he took the opportunity. He did great - and long may that continue. I will encourage him as much as I can, because he is the future. I can only do what is best for the club. To drag him out now, with the confidence he’s got, might just kill him.”
Romeo has acknowledged he has taken advice from Edwards.
“I said to him not to over-do it too much,” said the veteran. “He needs to keep his form but take that little bit of constructive criticism. He has faults, like every player - but he can turn it into a positive. Then he can build himself into the player he knows he can become.
“Mahlon has got the ingredients. The gaffer and his team-mates can show him the recipe - but he needs to cook it himself.
“He can go forward and express himself. Because once he is enjoying himself, you know you are having a good game.”
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Carlos Edwards: Brilliant Beenhakker inspired Trinidad and Tobago’s 2006 dream
FIFA.com
“There are some things in your life you know you’ll never forget. That World Cup, the whole journey, is one of those for me. And I must say, it doesn’t feel like ten years ago. It’s all still so fresh.”
Carlos Edwards, now 37 and still playing for Millwall, is speaking from his English home, and the excited chattering of his young daughters ebbs and flows in the background. But with 2006 the subject of our conversation, his mind is soon wandering, transporting him to Port of Spain, then Riffa and on to Dortmund, Nuremberg and Kaiserslautern.
That was the journey, etched forever in his mind, which saw Trinidad and Tobago participate in the FIFA World Cup™ for the first and, to date, only time. They were - and remain - the smallest country ever to have graced the tournament. But while the experience still conjures up images of bliss – “the whole thing was so, so fantastic”, he says – Edwards recalls that the path to Germany did not run smooth.
“Things were going badly,” he told FIFA.com. “We had one point from three games and looked to be heading out once again. But then, fortunately for us, the federation made a decision that changed everything.”
That decision, with T&T winless and having been hammered 5-1 by Guatemala, was to recruit charismatic Dutchman Leo Beenhakker as coach. For Edwards, that appointment dwarfed in significance everything that happened before and after.
“Without Mr Beenhakker, there’s no way we would have made it to that World Cup,” he said simply. “I remember when they first mentioned his name, I didn’t have a clue who he was. But then I saw the calibre of teams he’d coached and immediately thought, ‘Ok, we’re in safe hands here’. And that’s the way it proved. For me, he had the whole package as a coach. It was a privilege to play under him. He made all the difference.”
With the vastly experienced former Ajax, Real Madrid and Netherlands coach at the helm, the Soca Warriors scraped through to an intercontinental play-off, beating Mexico on the final day of CONCACAF qualifying to set up a two-legged meeting with Bahrain. Again though, they took the tough route to success, drawing 1-1 at home in the first leg to seemingly surrender the initiative.
“We didn’t perform to the best of our abilities - maybe nerves kicked in,” recalled Edwards. “But Bahrain looked to be playing for a 0-0 draw in the second leg and that helped us. Big Dennis Lawrence popped up with the only goal and that was it: we were through. When the final whistle went though, I honestly didn’t even know how to celebrate. That’s how shell-shocked I was. I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, jump... I had no idea. At the time, it just felt like someone would tell you it was all a dream.”
Holding their own
Plenty predicted a brutal awakening when Beenhakker’s side arrived at the World Cup itself, with group rivals England, Paraguay and Sweden all licking their lips in anticipation. But while circumstances conspired against Soca Warriors in their opener again the Swedes – with goalkeeper Kelvin Jack injured in the warm-up and Avery John sent off in the first minute of the second half – they battled to a historic 0-0 draw.
“That was all credit to Mr Beenhakker too,” Edwards recalled. “In his training, he always said, ‘My preference is for players to train for two positions because you never know what can happen during a game.’ Sure enough, we got a red card, and at that moment I immediately knew to slot back from midfield to full-back. I did ok there and, for that, I give credit to the coach because he prepared me very well for that eventuality.
“After that Sweden game, I could have happily packed my bags and gone home. I really felt we’d made a mark at the World Cup after that. We knew very well that a lot of people expected us to go to Germany and get hammered. But we showed that it wasn’t by fluke that we had qualified.
“We were unlucky to lose the games that came after that as we played pretty well. But honestly, I wouldn’t change that World Cup for anything. I’ve been lucky and had a good career but that’s the highlight without any shadow of a doubt.”
Road to Russia
Edwards’ great hope is that the same uniquely satisfying experience can now be sampled by another generation of T&T players. He is hopeful that this will be sooner rather than later, too, with the Soca Warriors’ class of 2016 unbeaten and three points clear of USA in their Round 4 section of Russia 2018 qualifiers.
“I think this team have what it takes to qualify,” he said. “They have a great manager (Stephen Hart), just as we had in 06, and I can see real progress there. “
Edwards played every minute of the team’s campaign at Germany 2006 but, at 37, has no expectation of being involved again in two years time. Nonetheless, with experience of 86 competitive internationals, and having distinguished himself in England with the likes of Sunderland and Ipswich Town, he’s happy to remain on call.
“I think my time has passed to be honest, but if the manager needs me I’m always available,” said the Millwall veteran. “I don’t think I’ll be needed, the lads there are doing a really good job. But if he thinks I can help at any stage, I would never say no to my country. I’d be willing to help in any way possible.
“I’ve just started my coaching badges, so I’m already looking towards the next stage of my career. But I still feel good, still enjoy my football and hopefully I’ll still be playing for another couple of years. If not, I know I’ll be able to say that I gave it a real go and walk away with a lot of great memories.”
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:beermug: :beermug:
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Respeck to de Rolls Royce :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Millwall ace Edwards knows he will have to battle for a first ever game at Wembley
By Toby Porter (South London Press)
THE prize at stake tomorrow for Carlos Edwards might surprise a few people.
The Millwall right-back, 37, dubbed the Relic by his younger team-mates, has never played at Wembley.
That may come as a surprise to those who have seen him play in the Premier League with Ipswich and Sunderland.
World Cup veteran Edwards has, though, played in front of 110,000 at the Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, in a qualifier for the 2006 tournament - where he played against England, Sweden and Paraguay in Germany.
“That was crazy,” he said. “People in the stands at the Azteca were like ants. Bradford was like a Sunday League game in comparison.”
He did play in the LDV Vans Trophy final, winning with Wrexham against Southend. But that was at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
“I have been in the crowd at Wembley, sat there watching,” he said. “But I have never played.
“We want it so bad, we would chew someone’s hand off to get there.”
Edwards played for the first time in two months in the 3-1 play-off semi-final first-leg victory at Bradford on Sunday, standing in for the suspended Mahlon Romeo.
“It was a tough encounter but I have recovered and my body feels fine,” said the defender, wearing a T-shirt saying ‘I destroy myself so you can’t’. “I will have to take it easy with the game coming quickly after Sunday.
“I have been staying home and the missus and my kids know to leave me alone.
“The gaffer has looked after me, especially early in the season when we were playing three times a week. I took myself out of certain things but I would not take the mickey.”
He drove himself to an U21 game last week to prepare - against former club Ipswich, where Mick McCarthy let him go.
“There is no bad blood between us,” said Edwards. “I know a manager has to do what is best for the club at the time. I have no grudge against any manager who lets a player go.
“I never had a disagreement with Roy Keane where I had to justify anything in front of other players or exchange words, either. If I had an issue, I would see him in the office.
“Sometimes, there is no point in trying to agree with a manager, because you might win the battle, but you will never win the war.”
Edwards is succinct about how the Lions must approach tonight’s clash with Bradford.
“We approach every single game the same way, from the first to the last,” he said. “We focus on the task, work hard, be entertaining and put in a Millwall performance. That means being aggressive and fair.
“We cannot do anything silly which might get us sent off. We have to be patient and enjoy it. We know if we can get on top, with the crowd behind us, they can give us that bit extra. As players, we need to bring the crowd onto the pitch as a 12th man.
“We know our little rebels will be backing us regardless. We will be like that movie 300.
“Bradford will try to intimidate us and ruffle our feathers. But we are big enough to withstand whatever they want to throw at us. And we have a squad good enough to challenge anyone in this division.”
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Carlos Edwards released by Millwall (http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/article/millwall-retained-list-201516-league-one-the-den-3129729.aspx)
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The Rolls Royce returns, how he will function on TT roads is left to be seen. All the best Carlos.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,234109.html
add: this is the type of returns (KJ etc)we need for our game to improve, they can help teach
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while Kevin Jeffrey will serve as manager, having left Central FC during the off-season.
HMM..
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Bankers Insurance offers HOPE to TT’s Youths
T&T Newsday Reports.
OLYMPIC BOXER Nigel Paul and former Soca Warriors Carlos Edwards has provided HOPE for Primary School students. This is done through a programme called HOPE (Helping Our Pupils Excel) which is sponsored by Bankers Insurance Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited.
Bankers Insurance saw the need to spread awareness to the nation’s youths and have decided to embark on this through the HOPE Programme.
“There is a missing gap in some of the nation’s Primary Schools,” said Managing Director Vance Gabriel. “We saw a need to introduce sports to the schools as a form of discipline and motivation for kids.” This programme introduces basic sporting skills, which is conducted on the school grounds. It is also used as an avenue to educate the pupils on topics such as violence in schools, road safety, exercise and diet etcetra.
“I am from Enterprise and I want to show these kids that there is a life away from poverty and crime,” said Brand Ambassador Paul. “One of the schools we visit weekly is my primary school, Enterprise Government Primary School. thanks to Bankers Insurance I now have an opportunity to give back to my alma mater.” This programme is conducted throughout each school term in which six to eight schools are selected.
This term schools based in central are targeted.
School visits are scheduled around the available times of both Paul and Edwards to facilitate their ongoing boxing and football training respectively.
This project is well received by the school’s principals, teachers, parents and students.
“I believe HOPE can make a difference, the kids have so much fun training, and hearing about our stories and they are motivated to try harder and most importantly they now have HOPE,” said Edwards.
Bankers Insurance hopes that through this programme they can make a positive change on the nation’s youth.
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WATCH: Carlos Edwards talks about his career and the possibility of returning to the Soca Warriors
https://www.youtube.com/v/wyVRIRna_tQ
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De ROLLS ROYCEE BOIIII ahhhhhaaaaaaiiii... insay invite him to train and see how he performs! Some experience is needed on the team.
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De ROLLS ROYCEE BOIIII ahhhhhaaaaaaiiii... insay invite him to train and see how he performs! Some experience is needed on the team.
You know I was thinking the SAME DAMN TING all this week.
No reason why he can't train and take it from there.
Even at his age, I sure he could outrun 90 percent of the TT players.
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Edwards surprised but ready to serve in T&T colours again
TTFA Media
Returning Trinidad and Tobago international Carlos Edwards says that his recall to the national senior men’s team by head coach Tom Saintfiet came as a surprise to him last week.
The 38-year-old former Defence Force, Wrexham and Sunderland midfielder was speaking after his first three sessions under Saintfiet with the current training squad which he has described as solid but enjoyable as the team continues its preparations for the two upcoming international friendlies against Nicaragua with daily sessions at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.
Regarding the call up, Edwards told TTFA Media: “It came as a surprise. But in saying that a lot of people were saying that I should make a return but I was just keeping focused on supporting Ross (Russell) with Ma Pau Stars in the Pro League. Fortunately with the performances that I had, I think my selection was granted. I am happy to be back and amongst the guys… a lot of young guys but at the same time with a lot of skill and talent, so with my experience hopefully I can encourage the guys to fulfil their potential.”
He spoke about Saintfiet’s approach so far. saying: “Very positive so far. He has his different style and methods. He wants a full, fit squad and he wants everyone to be ready. He’s gone about it in the last couple of the days in the right way, getting to know the players, getting to see who can stand up to the strain and the pressure. The guys I think are enjoying the training right now and hopefully from that only positive things can happen.”
Edwards last played for T&T in a friendly at home against Jamaica in 2013. He later suffered a series knee injury while playing for Millwall which sidelined him for just around a year, with significant knee ligament disruption, involving the cruciate and lateral ligaments.
Edwards racked up more than 500 appearances in a career that has seen him run out for clubs including Wrexham, Sunderland and Ipswich Town. He returned from injury this year to help Millwall to within a whisker of gaining promotion to the English Championship, losing 3-1 to Barnsley in the playoff final at Wembley in May.
But having returned home to join Ma Pau Stars in the T&T Pro League alongside fellow former UK-based strike Jason Scotland, the former soldier began to show worth again.
“I never had second thoughts about the call when it came. I’ve always said that it’s a privilege to play for your country. Yes I haven’t played with the team for quite a long time but this time it’s nothing different. Yes a lot of people may look at my age but at the same time I am enjoying my football still. I still feel good and I feel I can still contribute something to the team and to the country. Only time will tell how things goes. It was never a second thought for me to return to the national team,” Edwards said.
He hopes to play his part in helping the team move on towards the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Russia 2018 World Cup qualification.
“I think we like to do it the hard way but it’s attainable.. It’s a new management. new coach, everyone will have their different style. I think he (Saintfiet) has his style of how he wants the team to play. The guys to mesh together, to pull in one direction and I don;t see why we can’t actually start putting points on the board and climbing up the table and hopefully come 2018 the guys can be going to Russia.
And he believes the two friendlies against Nicaragua in Managua on December 27th and 30th will play a key part in the team’s readiness for the Gold Cup playoff matches versus Suriname and Haiti at the Ato Boldon Stadium on January 4 and 8th
“In any game leading up to the qualifiers, regardless of who we play, you have to take the opponents very seriously. The guys have to put their feet down, It’s challenge because everyone wants be knocking on that door to be selected for the team for the qualifiers. You always want to win games and I think these two games come at a good time. We will go to Nicaragua and hopefully we can get to positive results in the two games,” Edwards said.
Goalkeeper Coach joins Squad
Also joining the squad on Saturday at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium was German-born goalkeeper coach Lukas Wojciak. He came in on Friday night and will join the staff instead of the previously mentioned Jo Stock, a late selection change made by Saintfiet. Wojciak also works as a goalkeeper coach with German Pro team Alemania Aachen and previously worked with VBF Oldenburg. He hold a UEFA “B” Coaching license and UEFA “B” Goalkeeping Coaching License. He had his first session on Saturday morning with goalkeepers Marvin Phillip, Jan Michael Williams, Adrian Foncette and Glenroy Samuel.
https://www.youtube.com/v/HtTY4SUAQnY
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Bruce Arena on DaMarcus Beasley:
“He’s a player we’ve invited into camp," Arena said of Beasley, who came out of international retirement to play in the 2015 Concacaf Cup and is an MLS free agent. "We have a shortage at left back. DaMarcus, still at his age, he’s still a reliable, steady left back. We need to look at him and see where he is right now and still consider him as an option on our depth chart.”
Source: Soccer America.
Beasley is 34.5 years old.
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Beasley is 34.5 years old.
Carlos Edwards is 38.5 years old
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Beasley is 34.5 years old.
Carlos Edwards is 38.5 years old
Roger Miller was 41.5 years old...😈
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Beasley is 34.5 years old.
Carlos Edwards is 38.5 years old
Roger Miller was 41.5 years old...😈
Carlos Edwards is no Roger Milla
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Beasley is 34.5 years old.
Carlos Edwards is 38.5 years old
Roger Miller was 41.5 years old...😈
Carlos Edwards is no Roger Milla
Zabaleta is 31.9 and suffering. But he wouldn't suffer in CONCACAF.
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Reality is that League One is still a better or similar standard to where most of the team playing. And Carlos was still playing a role at that level recently. He probably have a place somewhere for lack of better options. Especially how we lacking at right back.
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You might as well bring back latas.. if Whitley done with the taxi business, you could rope him in...
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Ah wonder if Marvin Olvier could get a bligh?
Hardest still playin in passa passa league?
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No harm in having a veteran on the squad who been there done that.
Doh bound to start but could be some help in training.
But if he looking better than the others in training and get a run out in the warm ups well use him as needed. He sure not keeping any up and coming talented person off the squad.
He is from a generation where we had a heap of players in the premier league...now we have zero.
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Ah wonder if Marvin Olvier could get a bligh?
Hardest still playin in passa passa league?
Hardest limin and enjoying life... an outta shape hardest could still dribble a football better than most of that Shabazz selected to team
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Ah wonder if Marvin Olvier could get a bligh?
Hardest still playin in passa passa league?
What age was Latas when they call him back and he rescue us vs GUA?
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As much as I cringed that Carlos and Glenn got called, I realized that we are in a dire position. To be honest I feel Carlos could probably do a better job than Cyrus, in the short term. That is to tell you how bad things are at the RB position. Glenn could also give a good shift, probably 30 to 40 mins. Things are really bad if an almost 40 yr old is we deliverer. As for mid field, that is a different kettle of fish. I like Marvin, but his time has past.
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Ah wonder if Marvin Olvier could get a bligh?
Hardest still playin in passa passa league?
What age was Latas when they call him back and he rescue us vs GUA?
Russell Latapy is a once in a generation (if yuh lucky) kind of footballer.
All due respect to Carlos Edwards (who is one of my favorite T&T ballers) but eh eh anywhere near a Russell Latapy
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Carlos was an offensive player who could play excellent Defence if called upon to do so. His performance iVS Sweden was one of the best by any TT player ever, given the situation we were in at the time of the game in the WC. Was Latas a great mid field player with superlative vision? ABSOLUTELY. But he was never required to play defense.
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Carlos was an offensive player who could play excellent Defence if called upon to do so. His performance iVS Sweden was one of the best by any TT player ever, given the situation we were in at the time of the game in the WC. Was Latas a great mid field player with superlative vision? ABSOLUTELY. But he was never required to play defense.
That game vs Sweden was in 2006
We're now in 2016
Do you think that 10 years later, Carlos Edwards can play that kind of defense?
If you truly believe so, I have an igloo in Sea Lots to sell you
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Carlos was an offensive player who could play excellent Defence if called upon to do so. His performance iVS Sweden was one of the best by any TT player ever, given the situation we were in at the time of the game in the WC. Was Latas a great mid field player with superlative vision? ABSOLUTELY. But he was never required to play defense.
That game vs Sweden was in 2006
We're now in 2016
Do you think that 10 years later, Carlos Edwards can play that kind of defense?
If you truly believe so, I have an igloo in Sea Lots to sell you
I taking Carlos over Cyrus on that right wing...
Hart told me a month ago that Carlos making players in the Pro League look like school boys...
;D
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Hart told me a month ago that Carlos making players in the Pro League look like school boys...
;D
Interesting.
Yet these are the players the Federation and new coach are counting on to get us through the Hex and qualify for Russia 2018
Carlos Edwards....at 38 years old....who cannot be guaranteed a starting spot in an english 2nd division team....is making Pro League players look like school boys.
You interested in that igloo bruh? ;D
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To be honest Palos...
Dwight was dropped in central midfield at 36 and did relatively good, in-fact our best player. Latapy was 38 too.
Calos is no Dwight or Latapy but could adapt the same role if he don't have the legs to run right wing back?
Just a thought, you never know.
At this point in time like always- don't matter who incharge we always in a quick-fix position.
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I like the discussion. I take in a couple games with Carlos online and he was handling it (mainly just because of great football IQ). All them sh!t goals we (Cyrus mainly) gave up Carlos wouldna give up. But gosh boy he real slow down and might get beat for share pace...but I don't know...he was known for pace so maybe he could build it back up? (Merlene Ottey take olympic bronze @ 40). Either way this is the one thing they try i give them credit for.
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Palos, things are bad at defense at this moment. Carlos is' or should be a short term project. If he was to go GC, then it shows how bad things are in the RB position. I or we had high hope on Cyrus, but he has not instilled confidence in lots of games. The other option is to play Cato. But we need speed and some skill up front. Unless there is a RW plenty better than Cato. Name somebody. Carlos is short term. Or should be short term. And I eh interested in an igloo unless Kim Kardashian in it by she self.
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Palos, things are bad at defense at this moment. Carlos is' or should be a short term project. If he was to go GC, then it shows how bad things are in the RB position. I or we had high hope on Cyrus, but he has not instilled confidence in lots of games. The other option is to play Cato. But we need speed and some skill up front. Unless there is a RW plenty better than Cato. Name somebody. Carlos is short term. Or should be short term. And I eh interested in an igloo(in Sea Lots) unless Kim Kardashian in it by she self.
:rotfl:
now that is what I call a (brain) dead body of water or ah river of (sad)dreams
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Carlos, yuh will FEEL de weight of that armband. It eh no free ride, iz ah rollercoaster. Strap een, soldier!
Cornell say he eh there to keep tabs on wayward conduct. Fair enough.
Note: you eh have that luxury.
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Article on the FIFA website from "Others". (http://m.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=1/news=edwards-hopefully-t-t-can-complete-the-jigsaw-puzzle-2862231.html)
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Roker Report meets... Carlos Edwards! (part one)
By Graham MacMillan-Mason (rokerreport.sbnation.com)
RR: Alright Carlos! Thank you for taking time out to chat to us at Roker Report. We always start with a nice easy one. Who would be your SAFC XI from your time at the club?
CE: With me in the team?
RR: Yep! Of course.
CE: Wardy in goal, then it would have to be big Nyron at the back. I'll pair him with Jonny Evans. Danny Simpson and George McCartney. Me on the right, Liam Miller and my fellow countryman Dwight in the middle, Ross Wallace on the left. Upfront I would choose Daryl Murphy and David Connolly. I thought they were a good combination and I’ve got two Trinidadian’s already, so I’ll leave Kenwyne out for them!
RR: You played against us for Luton Town the previous December, setting up a goal in a 2-1 defeat. Shortly afterwards Roy Keane bid £1.5m for you and you were on your way to Sunderland. How did the move come about and what did you know about Sunderland?
CE: I knew about Sunderland because of Kevin Phillips and big Quinny. I used to look up to players like that as a young professional earlier in my career. I knew that Dwight had moved from Sydney that year. There had been some rumours Sunderland and West Brom were looking at me whilst I was at Wrexham actually, but I never paid it any mind - I was just a young boy enjoying playing in English football.
I remember it (the move) like it was yesterday: it was a Monday, Luton played Cardiff at on New Years Day at Kenilworth Road. I got a phone call from my agent on the way home and he said I had to travel up the next day to talk to Sunderland. I remember looking at the miles and thinking "Jesus Christ! Look at the distance!"
Dwight called me in December and asked if I would fancy the move too; said he’d put a good word in, but I never expected anything to come of it. The rest, as they say, is history.
RR: How was the first meeting with Roy Keane?
CE: You don’t know what to expect do you (laughs)? I did the medical and met Roy, I had watched him on TV for years, but when you meet the individual it's totally different to your expectations. In terms of physical stature I remember thinking "he’s just a scrawny little guy like myself!"
He was polite. He told me exactly what it is he wanted, what he wanted to build and how he wanted to push for promotion. We were twelfth or thirteenth at that time, but he spoke about promotion even then. He bought a few more alongside myself afterwards and sometimes it just clicks.
When we lost at Colchester 3-1, I was just thinking "oh no", but the experience he had an an individual across his time in football helped us, plus the experience we had in the squad helped. That's what helped us to go on such an amazing run in the first place.
RR: What was it about the club and your own performances at that time that worked so well?
CE: When you come to Sunderland, you have no choice but to perform because of the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light; even away from home - the amount of fans that always travel, it blows your mind!
As a player, you can’t help but embrace the Mackems, as they call us. They’re true fans, they’re real true supporters through thick and thin, they’ll back you to the hilt - and they did that. With that support behind you it pushes you on.
In regards to the team, the chemistry was a different class. The players we brought on board fitted into the puzzle. Having Niall around the place felt like a relief too.
RR: You say 'we' when you refer to Sunderland....
CE: I still say ‘we’ when I talk about Sunderland because I feel I am still part of Sunderland.
RR: Is it the best you've played in your career?
CE: Yeah, I think so. It was the best time of my career in English football. I always talk to my missus about that. It was really enjoyable.
I still reminisce about that time. Me and my missus still talk about the time at the area. It’s what a player lives for. It's special to have been part of those times I had at the club and builds an affinity between us both. I'm proud to have played for Sunderland.
RR: What are your memories of that Burnley game and THAT goal?
CE: (Laughs) Yeah, that goal! The manager always used to say "hit the target" because even if the keeper saves it could be palmed out and go to the striker to tap in.
It all happened so quick; it was a great counter attack. As soon as I received the ball from Daryl I thought I could shimmy a little or something, but what made my mind up was my first touch; it was as perfect as I could have hoped. I had a little glance, got my head down - I don’t think I’ve ever hit a ball so well. Straight into the top bin.
I did a little shimmy celebration with my shoulders; it was to show I was over my injury I sustained against West Brom. To be honest I didn’t even know how to celebrate though! I was thinking to myself "Jesus Christ!"
That game was typical us though wasn’t it? We always make it hard. We’re cruising the in the game, we miss chance after chance, miss a penalty and all of a sudden Burnley are in the lead. I couldn’t let Wade Elliott get the best goal of the night though! You can’t go beating my goalkeeper from there, so I thought I had to beat him.
I still watch it on YouTube.
I like to watch it back and get goosebumps and watch the fans go crazy. In fact I went to do some training with a local team (in Trinidad) and one of the guys - he’s from Antigua - called me over and was telling me he was watching the goal on YouTube! People are still watching it ten years on - myself included!
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Roker Report Meets... Carlos Edwards! (part two)
By Graham MacMillan-Mason (rokerreport.sbnation.com)
RR: The season after we got promoted, you pulled up with injury against Birmingham and spent months out. You returned against Derby only to suffer a broken leg. You were out for six months in total. How frustrating was that season for you?
CE: They gave me a timescale to come back from the first injury and in my first training session I pulled up. I think Roy started getting frustrated too. He sent me to a specialist in Finland. The specialist said it would of done more harm than good if they operated on it.
Eventually I got back and then broke my leg. It just felt like I never really got started that year. It was really hard because I was really looking forward to the season.
As a player you can’t dwell on it though, you just have to keep working hard - but I don’t think I came back the same player as before. Thing didn’t work out the way I wanted them to that year. It was a real kick in the face to be honest with you.
RR: Why do you think it went wrong the season after? Was it the players we brought in?
CE: I think at the time, in my opinion, the club didn’t seem in the best state as we hadn’t really had such a good season the year before, although we had stayed up.
Roy brought in some players but they were bad eggs. Their attitude, their approach to the game, training - everything. There were too many egos in the dressing room at once. Roy brought in players he thought he could mould into better players, better individuals - but he couldn’t control them. It went tits up and he had enough.
Northampton in the cup game he kicked over the tactics board. He went absolutely mental. He was really angry! I don’t think Jet Li would have done a better kung fu kick than that! Yorkie put that in his biography as you know.
RR: What was Djibril Cisse like then?
CE: We all liked Djibril, he was a good guy. He was like a French Roy Keane. You never knew what you were going to get with him. We used to take the mick out of him because of his hair; but he didn’t care - he was just being himself and that’s why we liked him.
Others players were just too arrogant though, too self absorbed and not right for that football club. It felt sometimes more like a fashion show than bloody footie!
RR: You got back into the side under Ricky Sbragia and played in the derby game at St. James. What was your personal experience of playing in a derby?
CE: It was my first time at St. James. It’s one of the better derbies I’ve played in, the whole atmosphere and the fans getting at each other. It’s a game that is special.
When Cisse scored we did that celebration together. You’ve just scored against the Geordies, you go mad. You just enjoy it!
I remember getting booed and I just smiled at them; like I always do! I kill people with kindness! You use more muscle to frown than you do to smile!
RR: You ended the season in the team but when Steve Bruce came in he seemed to allow you to go quite easily - were there issues with Bruce or was he completely honest? Any regrets about leaving?
CE: He didn’t give me a chance.
It was down to Niall who had to convince me to go, because I was going to stay and frustrate him - but that wasn’t me, I wasn’t that type of person or player but I just felt I wasn’t given the script fairly. Be honest with me from day one, I would prefer that. I felt I was told one thing, and when the time comes it’s something completely different. If I’m not going to be part of sometime plans, just tell me.
In the end I had to do what was right for me and my family. I had to move to remain sane and my time had come to end with Sunderland. I would never regret those two and half years at Sunderland though, never.
RR: Do you still speak to the likes of Kenwyne, Dwight and Stern John? How handy was it to have a fellow Trinidadian at the club?
CE: It was good. I had never had any Trinidadian’s around for me so long at the other clubs; it was refreshing. We all really got along well. I could talk to them in my Trinidad accent! We all had a good relationship before we were at the club.
Stern John is one of the assistant coaches for one of the clubs I’m associated with here in Trinidad, Kenwyne and I still meet with the national team. We’ve all got a good relationship still.
RR: What are your thoughts on Sunderland currently? With the appointment of Simon Grayson what are you hopes for the club?
CE: I’m optimistic. I always remain positive. I don’t think anyone expected us to win the league in 2006/2007 with the way we started. This could be the start of something special. You never know.
I don’t know which players are going to be there. I know that some big players have left and it’s going to take a little while. We all know the Championship is hardcore: you can spank a team by five or lose by five a week later. You have to be positive though.
Simon Grayson is going to have a full pre-season and I’m sure he’ll identify players to bring in and go for promotion. I know more than anything that the fans will show the support like they always do.
RR: Thanks so much Carlos for taking the time to answer our questions, you're a gentleman. Good luck in the future!
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Up to Friday gone I watch that Burnley laser, was special. Rolls Royce!!
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SSFL Graduates – Carlos Edwards: Intercol was the real deal
SSFL Media
Carlos Edwards first entered the spotlight on the local football stage during his playing days as a member of the St Anthony’s College team in the Secondary Schools Football League.
His first taste of success came at the 1997 Intercol when he helped the Westmoorings “Tigers” to the National title in a 1-0 victory over then favourites St Benedict’s College before a packed crowd at the Queen’s Park Oval. Edwards and former national team striker Nigel “Pistol” Pierre were both members of the team coached by Nigel Grosvenor.
In this edition of SSFL Graduates, Edwards tells us how playing in the SSFL helped prepare him for his life as a professional footballer.
“Some of my best days of playing the game at home here in Trinidad and Tobago came during the Intercol or the SSFL seasons when I played for St Anthony’s College.
“I always had a love for the game but during my time at St Anthony’s was when I really began to take the game seriously and there was a real love that developed. When you realise how popular the league was, we were pulling bigger crowds than regular senior men football and every week we were playing in front of hundred and sometimes thousands of people even in the regular league matches. And once Intercol came around well that was a whole different story,” Edwards said.
“I remember when we played the Final of the Intercol it was a the biggest thing happening in the country that day. There were thousands of people coming from south to support St Benedict’s and we were the underdogs but people came out. I remember the Oval was packed out because there were people all on the track at the time and the Carib stand was full of supporters. After we won that game I think I can safely say that was the memorable final I ever played in this country,” said the 38-year-old Edwards whhas made 97 appearances for Trinidad and Tobago.
The former 2006 T&T World Cup player played professionally for Defence Force before moving on to play for Sunderland in the English Premiership as well as other clubs such as Wrexham where he lined up alongside current T&T head coach Dennis Lawrence, a former player with Malick Senior Comprehensive; Luton Town, Ipswich Town, Millwall and Wolverhampton Wanderers. His career in England and Wales spanned just under fifteen years. In 2011, he was named Ipswich Town captain and was later named the Players’ “Player of the Year” for the 2011/2012 season. While at Wrexham, he was named in the PFA’s Third Division “Team of the Year” on two occasions. in 2007, his 80th minute winner against Burnley confirmed Sunderland’s promotion to the Premiership.
His first club after coming out of St Anthony’s was Queen’s Park Cricket Club before he joined the Defence Force, going on to win the Pro League title in 1999.
“I will encourage any player who is seeing football as a career to give it a go at the Secondary Schools Football League. Things have changed a lot since my time but I still think the Colleges league plays a significant part in a player in terms of his love for the game and his early development. If you look at a lot of the players who have gone on to do great things such as Russell Latapy, Stern John, Shaka Hislop, Dwight Yorke and more and then players in the spotlight today such as Kevin Molino and Kenwyne Jones, they all passed through the SSFL.
“Of course more can be done in terms of development and that is there the football powers have to bridge the gap with the SSFL to ensure we have the right system in place to go places. We have to ensure we do not miss players who may fall through the cracks after the schools season comes to end But like I said, the SSFL was a big avenue for me and it helped me to develop an appetite for the game and prepare me for my career that followed.
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Carlos was the real deal in SSFL. He consistently had (opposing) men going (the wrong way)!
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Former Ipswich Town captain Carlos Edwards joins Thurlow Nunn side Woodbridge Town
By Mike Bacon (East Anglian Daily Times)
Former Ipswich Town star Carlos Edwards has signed for Woodbridge Town.
The 39-year-old, who played almost 180 times for the Blues and was club captain, is just waiting for international clearance – Woodbridge manager Jamie Scales is hoping Edwards can go straight into the squad for the game at Whitton on December 27.
Woodbridge, flying high in Division One of the Thurlow Nunn league, are looking to get promoted back to the Premier Division – Edwards’ input will only help.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic,” Scales said.
“Carlos is a friend of one of our main sponsors. I spoke to Carlos in the last 24 hours and he has said he wants to help us get promoted.
“He’s already on the team group chat and the rest of the boys couldn’t be happier.”
Woodbridge entertain March Town this weekend and Edwards will be in attendance.
As well as Edwards, Woodbridge have also signed Aaran Shepherd and James Hubbard - two former ‘Peckers players.
“I feel as a club we are making a statement with these signings,” Scales said.
“There has been so much hard work going on at the club over the past four years or so. We want to get back into the Premier Division and I think this says much about the ambitions of the club.
“In the last few games, we have not been at our best and we have had a few matches called off recently and it has allowed us to reflect on a few things.
“Now hopefully we can get our momentum back.”
Edwards has recently been playing for Central Football Club – a Trinidad and Tobago professional football club, based in Chaguanas, that plays in the T&T Pro League.
His last English club was Millwall, where he was still playing in 2016 on a short-term deal.
Popular with Ipswich Town fans, Edwards played as a right winger under Roy Keane but switched to right-back when Paul Jewell became manager.
He became Ipswich captain in March 2012 and was voted the Players’ Player of the Year for the 2011–12 season.
His experience is sure to be of great use to what is primarily a young Woodbridge side.
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Former Ipswich Town skipper Carlos Edwards: I’ll be giving my all at Woodbridge
By Mike Bacon (East Anglian Daily Times)
Former Ipswich Town captain Carlos Edwards is looking forward to bringing his experience to Woodbridge Town, and says he still takes every game ‘very seriously’.
The Trinidad & Tobago international, 39, who played almost 100 times for the Caribbean island, including in the 2006 World Cup Finals, as well as more than 170 times for the Blues, is back living in Ipswich after a spell in his homeland.
He’s looking forward to getting involved in coaching, as well playing for the Woodpeckers.
It’s a new challenge, but the amiable Edwards – a big crowd favourite with Town fans during his time in Suffolk – can’t wait to get going.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Edwards said.
“I’m glad to be part of it, as a team they (Woodbridge) are doing well, long may it continue. I just hope I don’t jinx it!
“I am going to be playing with the intention to help these guys. I’m not here to put pressure on them, some may feel a little intimidated by me, being an ex-pro. You can see it. But the more I speak to them, the more they know me.
“The way I see it, it would be unfair that having had such a long career I can’t give something back. It would be a bit selfish on my part.”
Edwards is still awaiting international clearance from Trinidad before he can make his debut for the Notcutts-based team, who are flying high in Thurlow One and look set for promotion back to Step 5.
The former Sunderland, Luton and Wrexham right-sided player has been impressed with what he has seen among the Woodbridge group.
“I took the warm-up the other day and I have trained with the team,” Edwards said.
“Even though they are in a low division to what I have ever played, these guys are passionate and have the talent. Like so many, these guys are taking time out from work and college to train and play and, from what I’ve seen, I don’t see why they can’t step up a division or two.
“They can do something with their careers if they are passionate enough to want it. I can’t wait to play and I take every game very seriously.
“If you get too cocky things can switch very quickly.
“If I don’t get my finger out and play seriously, I know, I’ll be battered. I always go on the pitch with a winning attitude.”
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“Even though they are in a low division to what I have ever played, these guys are passionate and have the talent. Like so many, these guys are taking time out from work and college to train and play and, from what I’ve seen, I don’t see why they can’t step up a division or two."
We want to go straight from High-School in a dot on the map to pro, Premier League and World Cup , because we have talent, and 200 ppl(if so much) come to see the boys play. ::)
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Luton v Sunderland: Carlos Edwards talks turbulent pasts at both clubs
By Alex Brodie (Sky Sports)
Few league clubs can claim a more volatile recent history than Sunderland, but their opponents on Saturday, Luton Town, have a strong case.
Between them, the League One clubs have accumulated five relegations, 16 managers and multiple changes of ownership and player sales since they were last in the same division 11 years ago.
Sunderland clinched the 2006/07 Championship title at Luton’s Kenilworth Road before the Hatters began a descent through the divisions, including financial problems, points deductions and a spell in non-league.
Despite appointing some big-name managers, Sunderland finished above 13th only once in their subsequent 10-year Premier League stay and dropped back to the Championship in 2017 before a successive relegation of their own last season.
Winger Carlos Edwards moved mid-season from Luton to Sunderland in 2006/07, so is in a good position to assess the various calamities that struck both clubs.
“At Luton, Mike Newell was a good manager. He did the best he could have done,” Edwards tells Sky Sports.
“We had a really good squad. But the board killed him in a way because he didn’t have the backing from them.”
Player sales
Under Newell, Luton were fifth 13 games into the 2006/07 season, but after complaining openly about player sales being the reason behind a drop in form, he was sacked in March.
“Players just started to go,” Edwards says. “Once one left, players were thinking: ‘I need to go as well.’ It was like they were standing in front of a gun waiting for the trigger to be pulled.
“That season, the team just went on a serious nosedive. Every time a club came in for one of the better players, it was the easy way out, they just sold them.
“Players moved on, things moved on then the club didn’t really recover until a few years ago.”
Edwards’ switch to Sunderland came over the festive period and was influenced by fellow Trinidad and Tobago player Dwight Yorke, who was playing for his former Manchester United team-mate and Sunderland manager Roy Keane.
Swapping relegation for promotion
By leaving mid-season, Edwards collected a title-winners’ medal rather than adding a relegation to his CV. Plus, he got to work with two legends of the game.
“Dwight phoned me after Luton played up at the Stadium of Light and asked if I was interested in moving. I saw it as a step up, no disrespect to Luton. I had the opportunity to play for one of the great former players in Roy Keane - and I look up to Dwight. He’s a hero and put Trinidad on the map. It was special.
“Luton told me I could go and have a chat and they had accepted a bid so I went for my medical and met Roy Keane.”
Keane, Yorke & the Premier League
Keane would later sign Edwards a second time when in charge at Ipswich, but Edwards was surprised on his first meeting with the famously intimidating Irishman.
“You’re expecting this big guy, but when you see him, he’s a very hard guy but actually quite small,” says Edwards.
“But I didn’t tell him that! I was so nervous. Imagine if I’d gone in and said that - he’d have told me to go back to Luton!”
After Keane signed Edwards in January 2007, Sunderland won 15 of their final 19 league games, losing only once. Having started the season losing nine of their first 16 leagues games, it was quite a turnaround to go up as champions at Kenilworth Road in May.
“The way Roy rotated the team worked well. He gave players their chance and then if things needed to be adjusted, he would do it.
“It was a great team chemistry that led us to become champions.
“I had mixed feelings winning the title at Kenilworth Road. I did feel for Luton, but I had a job to do. They had already been relegated but I think the 5-1 scoreline rubbed salt into the wounds!
“Some fans booed me but I think more in frustration than at me leaving. At the end of the day, Luton bought me for nothing and got a few quid, they made a profit.”
Change of ownership
Keane, Yorke and Edwards won promotion to the Premier League, where Sunderland would stay until May 2017, but none of those three would last long as the club began to change.
American Ellis Short gained a controlling stake in September 2008 and Keane left shortly after to be replaced by Ricky Sbragia and, eventually, Steve Bruce. Short then bought the club outright in May 2009. For Edwards, this was a difficult time at the club.
“When a new manager comes in, they want a fresh start and bring in their own players because at the time, they feel the players can’t do it for them,” Edwards says.
“I had a word with Steve Bruce. I wanted to stay, but I didn’t want to be hard-balled, just sitting around, waiting and hoping. I wanted to play, I didn’t want to just sit on the bench and collect wages.”
Players' commitment
The difference is stark between the ethos installed by Keane and displayed by Edwards and stories of changing room disintegration at Sunderland in recent years, most obviously displayed in Jack Rodwell remaining at the club on high wages despite not playing.
“When I was there,” Edwards explains, “we had a cohesion and die-hard mentality. We knew, for the fans, we had to roll our sleeves up and do the work. And we did. We knew we had to be on our A-game every week.
“I think in the past two years, the players have not had a perspective that they would go out and do that.
“You can get away with driving along one or two players in a game, but if you are driving along three, four, five players then you have walking wounded. You need everyone on their game.
“Everyone was a bit lackadaisical, maybe just going through the motions and hoping because they're Sunderland, that it, it’s a guaranteed three points. No, it’s never a guaranteed three points. You have to earn, to work for it.”
Improving outlook
Edwards, 39, is still playing at Woodbridge Town in Suffolk, while completing his UEFA B licence at Ipswich’s academy and has spent time coaching the Trinidad U17s.
He feels Sunderland have turned a corner - Short sold the club last season after going through nine managers in as many years - and can stop the rot following successive demotions, but he warns that they will not find it easy in League One.
“They seem more settled now, a few have gone, they’ve been revamped. But they have to realise they are a big scalp in League One,” he says.
“Clubs going to the Stadium of Light are going to be in awe. A lot of players will never have played in stadiums like that. Clubs will want bragging rights and to be able to say: We won at Sunderland.”
Kenilworth Road may not offer the grandeur of the Stadium of Light, but Sunderland fans will be hoping on Saturday it can prove as fruitful a venue as it did on their last league visit to Bedfordshire.
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Yes I remember the days. Add Kenwyn Jones and Stern John to that team.
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Unsung Heroes at The Den [Part 10]: One Love with Carlos Edwards
By Michael Avery (millwallsupportersclub.co.uk)
Originally joining the Lions on loan in March 2014, eyebrows were raised when Ian Holloway signed veteran winger/wing-back Carlos Edwards from Ipswich Town. Edwards had pedigree and was a proven player at Championship level, but in a season when Millwall were desperate for goals, the signing of a 35-year-old player who played primarily in defence wasn't the type who would be top of the shopping list. Luckily for the Millwall fans, there was an instant connection and from the start we were together, with a roof right over our heads.
Making his debut in the 2-2 home draw with Blackburn Rovers and being an ever-present for the Lions, the Trinidadian showed lightning pace, skill and plenty of enthusiasm that many players younger could only dream of. Just at the time when Millwall needed a player who was willing and able, Edwards threw his cards on the table and showed there was still plenty to offer. In a period of Millwall history that showed signs of instability, the right-back was the spark of energy the club needed at the right time and helped drag the Lions from relegation favourites to a respectable 19th place finish. With victories against the likes of Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and AFC Bournemouth, Millwall were unbeaten in the eight games that Edwards featured in and he was also the only goal scorer in a vital 1-0 away victory against Wigan Athletic.
With his contract not being renewed at Portman Road, Millwall stopped the messing around and signed Edwards on a one-year contract in May 2014. Speaking at the time, the popular wide man said, "to stay up was great and now I'm delighted to be joining on a permanent basis," and these thoughts echoed loudly around the fans in South Bermondsey. The season started well for the full-back and he featured in the wins against the likes of Leeds United, Fulham and Blackpool, but Edwards' season was cruelly ended prematurely after only 8 games against Nottingham Forest on the 20th September. Going down with a serious knee injury in only the 7th minute of the game, Edwards left the field on a stretcher and the home fans were speechless. As he was carried off with what seemed like something that would end the careers of many other players, Edwards subliminally sang to those around The Den. "Don't worry, about a thing. Cos every little thing, is gonna be alright..."
After management upheaval which saw Ian Holloway replaced by club legend, Neil Harris, the Lions were relegated back to League One at the end of the 2014-15 season. Edwards was out of contract following the club's return to the third tier, however after some impressive performances in the Elite Development Squad, Neil Harris decided to offer a short-term contract until January 2016 and both parties decided to get together and feel alright. The 2015-16 season saw a more composed and complete Millwall performance and Edwards was a huge part of that, featuring in 22 games in all competitions. The Lions gave thanks and praise to the Lord as they looked to be heading back to the Championship by reaching the Play-Off Final, however the Sheriffs of Barnsley defeated our Deputies 3-1 at Wembley Stadium and ensured the Lions would remain in League One for another season.
Carlos Edwards was released at the end of the 2015-16 season along with the likes of John Marquis, Ed Upson and Lee Martin. At the time of their release, Neil Harris said “First and foremost, I want to thank all the players who are leaving us for their immense dedication and hard work during their time at the club. They handled my decision like true professionals and I wish nothing but the very best of luck for their future careers.”
In all, Edwards featured 38 times for the Lions in just under three years, scoring one goal. After leaving South Bermondsey, the full-back featured for Ma Pau Stars Sports Club, Central FC and is now playing for Woodbridge Town in the East Counties League Premier Division. His time at The Den may’ve been brief compared to others, but the rapport that the veteran had with the fans was solid. Is this love, is this love, is this love that we were feeling? Well from the fans in the Barry Kitchener, Cold Blow Lane and Dockers Stands towards Carlos Edwards, it most certainly was.
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Saturday 08 September
Swindon Supermarine 7 Woodbridge Town 1
Woodbridge Town exited the FA Cup at Swindon Supermarine of the Evo-Stik Premier South, (the equivalent of two leagues above the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division). Clinical finishing in the second half by the home team who scored 3 goals in 8 minutes decided the tie at the impressive Webbswood Stadium.
Matt Mackenzie's lob was off target after 6 minutes for the visitors after a bad clearance by home keeper Josh Hill. Josh Parsons shot went over the bar after 10 minutes for the home side. A minute later they opened the scoring with Stuart Fleetwood's excellent first time finish to make it 1-0. George Bowman's shot from 20 yards tested Hill after 13 minutes but the Woodpeckers equalised after 15 minutes when Carlos Edwards' accurate corner was headed in by Liam Scopes. Zak Westlake's shot was cleared off the line by Aaron Churchyard after 21 minutes and after 25 minutes it was 2-1 to the home side when the dangerous Fleetwood's cross was swept home by Parsons. Away keeper Alfie Stronge denied Fleetwood with an excellent save and he blocked Parsons's shot from the rebound. Luke Williams's shot was off target for the home side after 40 minutes with the away side more then matching the home side at half time.
Parsons scored his second after 47 minutes with a neat finish to make it 3-1 and after 51 minutes it was 4-1 when Ryan Campbell made no mistake with a close range effort. Parsons completed his hattrick after 55 minutes with another neat finish giving Stronge no chance to make it 5-1. Conor Mcdonaugh's header was tipped over the bar by Stronge after 63 minutes and Kelsey Trotter's shot was parried for a corner by Hill after 74 minutes. Michael Hopkins' cross was headed in by Zak Westlake to make it 6-1 after 76 minutes and after 78 minutes Luke Williams cross was deflected in to make it 7-1. Trotter's effort was on target after 81 minutes for the visitors and Fleetwood hit the woodwork but the Woodpeckers will feel great satisfaction after beating Clapton and Hadleigh United in previous rounds with Callum Sinclair in particular causing the home side problems. Good luck to the home side in the rest of the competition, they have the facilities to play at a much higher level.
Hill, Williamson, Hopkins, Shepherd, Coupe, Westlake, Mcdonaugh, Hooper (Capt), Fleetwood, Parsons, Campbell, Subs; Thompson, Gray, Alexander, Selman, Williams.
Stronge, Rea (Capt), Churchyard, Garnham, Southgate, Scopes, Mackenzie, Edwards, Bowman, Trotter, Sinclair, Subs: Greggor for Edwards (Inj) 51 Mins, Holmes for Scopes (Inj) 57 Mins, Hammond for Mackenzie 76 Mins, Unused: Leech, Singh,
Referee: Sunny Gill, Assistants: Stephen Williams, Mudiwa Manyange.
Att: 204
:-\ Call Dog or God. Maybe both
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Former Ipswich Town and Sunderland star Carlos Edwards is new joint boss of Woodbridge Town
By Mike Bacon (East Anglian Daily Times)
The 40-year-old former Ipswich Town and Sunderland star who won almost 100 caps for Trinidad & Tobago in a professional career that saw him play in the 2002 World Cup, will manage the team alongside current boss Jamie Scales and coach Glenn Snell.
And Edwards, who is a coach at the Ipswich Town Centre of Excellence – a pathway to Ipswich Academy – admits coaching and managing is something he wants to do more of, even though he is still playing regularly for the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division side.
“I see it as a natural progression. Coaching and managing is something that has been on my agenda and I want to do more of,” Edwards said.
“I currently coach youngsters, so to be more involved with senior players at Woodbridge is a great next step.
“Everyone at Woodbridge has been so supportive to me and I have a great relationship with Jamie Scales and Glenn Snell. They are both so good at what they do and top guys. I will enjoy working with them more closely.
“I like to think the Woodbridge boys respect me too and we can continue the good work going on.”
Edwards joined Woodbridge Town at the end of 2017 and helped them win the Thurlow Nunn First Division title last season.
This campaign, they started their new life in the Premier Division with three straight defeats.
But since, the ‘Peckers have been one of the teams of the season and currently sit in second place in the table behind Histon, who have already won the championship. Edwards has played almost 40 games.
“Getting Carlos more involved in the management side of things is something we have beem looking at doing for a time now,” said joint interim chairman, Mark Scopes.
“He’s such a likeable person, gets on great with Jamie (Scales) and all the coaches and players.
“He’s never condescending and most importantly brings a wealth of knowledge to the club.
“Added to which he is also playing out of his skin on the pitch.”
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An Ipswich and Sunderland League One top two would make Carlos Edwards a happy man
By Craig Johns (chroniclelive.co.uk)
As Ipswich and Sunderland clash at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon one man will be looking on with particular interest.
Carlos Edwards enjoyed the best years of his career playing for Sunderland before departing for East Anglia. Looking back he feels his Wearside departure was perhaps untimely, but he has no regrets that he got to wear both the red-and-white and the blue jerseys of the two respective clubs.
In just the second game of the 2019-20 campaign, the clash sees two sides expected to be serious contenders for promotion come head-to-head.
And while he won't commit to who will be first and who will be second, the former winger admits both sides returning to the Championship would be the ideal scenario for him next May.
"It would be a perfect season for me if both Sunderland and Ipswich were promoted," he told Chronicle Live.
"I know it's not going to be easy, but it is possible.
"It was a very tough decision to leave Sunderland at the time, but it was very much a situation out of my control.
"I just had to do what was best for myself and my family. I maybe left too soon, but no regrets. It was an honour to play for the club, and then I had some good years at Ipswich too.
"I'm hoping I can get down with the family to a game or two in Sunderland this season.
"My twins have never been to Sunderland. They're eight in October. My eldest daughter has been, but the twins have not.
"I'd love to bring the twins up and show them where Daddy used to twist a few spines!"
Now 40, Edwards still lives in Suffolk, although rather ironically he'll be back on Wearside this weekend as the Black Cats head to Ipswich. He's booked to do 'An Evening With' show at the Fans Museum on Saturday evening.
He still plays also. Representing Woodbridge Town, they play in the ninth tier of English football - the equivalent of the Northern League first division here in the North East.
They're two games into the season and have won both so far. Edwards started both and has already registered three assists. He's still got it.
Despite living so far away, his close affinity to Sunderland AFC remains. A club so close to his heart, he admits watching the club's demise of recent years was tough.
"It has been very tough for me to watch the club's recent fall," he says.
"It's hard to believe and accept that the downfall has been real. It's just collapsed and you're left thinking 'what on earth is going on!?
"At one stage I was close to volunteering to put my boots back on and saying I'll come back and score a couple of rockets! Listen, don't pay me, just register me and I'll come in the last 20 minutes of every game."
He continued: "But sometimes these things happen for the best and that seems to be the case here. It's brought about change and Ellis [Short] has sold the club and everything has steadied.
"Now hopefully we - I always still say 'we' because I'm still part of the family - we have owners who will invest, not just invest in new players, but invest in the fans and other important things that will help the club progress to the next level.
"Yes, right now we're in League One, but who's to say where we will be in the next five years? I know for definite we are not going to be in League One."
His own football schedule might make it difficult, but Edwards is hoping he will make a couple of games at the Stadium of Light this term too.
"I tried to get to a game last season, Walsall I believe it was, but had a family matter come up which stopped me coming.
"This season though I'm going to try my best to see if I can come and see a couple of games.
"The fans, as we all know, are incredible. They always come out in such strong numbers.
"You look at that 06-07 season when we won the Championship, it was remarkable. But that was not just down to the players, that was down to the fans as well.
"When we went to away games we were getting anywhere from 2-5,000 away fans going with us around the country and there's not many teams in the Championship will carry that many away fans. I think they propelled us to go the extra mile and lift the trophy at the end of the season.
"It is the fans who carry that club and make it what it is and the players should always go out to give 100% for them. If they don't then they don't deserve to be at the club. Putting on their shirt means something."
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Former Sunderland, Ipswich Town and Luton Town midfielder Carlos Edwards signs for Bury Town as Blues suffer Jake Chambers-Shaw injury blow
By Liam Apicella (Bury Free Press)
Following confirmation playmaker Jake Chambers-Shaw will spend the next couple of months on the sidelines, Bury Town manager Ben Chenery has moved to soften the blow by bringing in former Premier League player Carlos Edwards, as we exclusively revealed on today's back page.
The 41-year-old ex-Ipswich Town and Sunderland midfielder, who represented Trinidad & Tobago at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, has joined the Blues on dual registration terms from Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division side Woodbridge Town.
He was promoted to the management team at the Woodpeckers ahead of this season but has continued to play an active role on the pitch, making 28 appearance and scoring 16 goals in the league a level down from where Bury reside.
Edwards will bolster the options available to Chenery as he looks to overcome a seemingly never ending injury list, but the 90-capped international is also set to become a part of the coaching set-up at the Denny Bros Ram Meadow Stadium.
“We need some seniority in the middle of the park and Carlos will provide us with that,” said Chenery.
“Sometimes when you have young players like we do, you need that old head to settle things down a little bit.
“Carlos is a very good player, he can see a pass and he will not mind me saying how fit he is for his age.
“This is someone that played at a World Cup – that experience will be huge to us. There are situations in games when things need calming down and Carlos will know when that is needed.
“He is going to play, but he might also get involved in some of the coaching, potentially with our under-23s.”
News of Edwards’ imminent arrival at the Denny Bros Stadium comes swiftly on the back of Chambers-Shaw’s prognosis.
The attack-minded midfielder suffered a collarbone injury during last weekend’s defeat at Tilbury and after seeing a specialist he was found to have suffered ligament damage, ruling him out of action for between six and eight weeks.
Chambers-Shaw has impressed since joining the club from neighbouring Mildenhall Town in the summer of 2018, with his performances last term earning him the Away Fans’ Player of the Season award.
This season he has made 26 appearances, from which he has scored four goals.
His absence is a big disappointment for Chenery, who has conceded that he may need to tweak the way his side plays going forward.
“It is a massive blow. Jake is pivotal to what we do and so it is really disappointing to be without him for so long,” said the boss.
“We had to adapt when Ryan Horne got injured because he started us playing in the deepest third and we may have to do the same without Jake.
“Jake is our creator, someone that can find pockets in those tight spaces to unlock defences.
“You have to adjust, and we will. Jake not being there will give a chance to someone else.”
One player that could fill the void is Ipswich Town midfielder Lounes Foudil, who like Alex Henderson, Tommy Smith and Colin Oppong, has joined Bury on a work experience loan from the EFL League One club.
The Paris-born player made his debut as a substitute at Tilbury and impressed the manager.
“He is a different type of player to Jake but showed plenty to be positive about when he came on,” added Chenery.
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Wrexham AFC fans' favourite Carlos Edwards would not dye his hair red again!
By Richard Williams (leaderlive.co.uk)
IT was a day that will live long in the memory but there is one thing that Carlos Edwards would change about Wrexham's famous cup triumph.
The Reds reached the LDV Vans Trophy final during a turbulent 2004-5 campaign and Denis Smith's men did not disappoint on the big stage at The Millennium Stadium, beating Southend United 2-0 after extra-time.
Flying winger Edwards, back in the side after missing the first half of the season due to a serious knee injury, got in the mood for the occasion by dying his hair red - something he wouldn't do again.
"What I would change is not dye my hair red!" said Edwards.
"My agent at the time was so spontaneous and he said: 'let's do that', so me being gullible I said I would dye my hair. I just fell into the trap.
"I can remember (assistant manager) Kevin Russell absolutely taking the mickey out of me.
"It could have gone both ways; I could have been on the losing side with red hair and thinking 'what was I doing' but it was better because I had red hair, we won the trophy and no-one said a word."
Crisis-club Wrexham were battling against relegation from League One after incurring a 10-point deduction for going into administration, with owner Alex Hamilton rejecting a series of takeover bids, but the run to the Cardiff showpiece was a welcome distraction for Edwards and his team-mates.
"You had a silly guy trying to disrupt the whole club and as a player, things play on your mind," said Edwards.
"It's a club you admire and fall in love with and the uncertainty for the club and the fans, it left a bitter taste in the mouth when you listened to everything that was going on.
"But there is always light at the end of the tunnel and going on that cup run, finishing at The Millennium Stadium, was that light at the end of the tunnel for us.
"What a brilliant day it was and the fans played their part."
Edwards hoped that the final would be at Wembley, which was being renovated, but he soon changed his mind after playing at The Millennium Stadium.
"I was praying it was at Wembley," said Edwards.
"But to be fair, a Welsh club playing a final in the Welsh national stadium, you couldn't ask for anything better.
"And The Millennium Stadium is the same quality as any top-level stadium so I wouldn't have changed it for anything."
Wrexham and Southend, flying high in League Two, could not be separated in 90 minutes.
But prolific striker Juan Ugarte and skipper Darren Ferguson scored in either half of extra-time to secure victory.
Edwards went on to play for Luton, Sunderland, Ipswich and Millwall, as well as represent Trinidad at the 2006 World Cup, but winning the LDV Vans Trophy is a feat he is proud of.
"Regardless of what cup it is, you want to win things, you want to achieve things," said Edwards.
"Whether it is the FAW Premier Cup, the LDV Vans Trophy or the Carling Cup, you want to say 'I was there, I lifted the trophy. I achieved something'.
"A lot of footballers have nothing to show for their careers. They may be on £50,000 a week but what have they achieved?
"That was one of the moments I realised that I want to win things, I want to get bigger and better."
Wrexham lost their battle against relegation but Edwards insists Smith's squad was not short of talent.
"When you look at the squad that we had, we had quality all round," said Edwards.
"Ben Foster came in and what a great goalkeeper he was; he went onto bigger and better things and is still doing his stuff in the top flight at the moment.
"When you have leaders like Darren Ferguson, and big Dennis Lawrence and Brian Carey, they were the pillars of the club at the time."
Fifteen years on and Wrexham are battling to avoid relegation from the National League but Edwards hopes there are better times ahead.
"Wrexham is so close to my heart," added Edwards. "I loved the club, I call it my second home.
"It is a wonderful club and I hope sooner rather than later they are back where they are supposed to be in the Football League."
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https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/story-of-whitton-united-s-star-studded-veterans-side-1-6622497?fbclid=IwAR3m1krOuCwyXWMG8i8p0l3yJ0l7p2ZCas4BWvDELsI621s6YzW8l6XiQxw
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Holding up Breakfast in Bahrain
By Carlos Edwards (pushinglimits.net)
It’s October maybe the first week or so and I’m getting ready to fly out to meet up with the rest of the squad for the Panama and Mexico matches. There's a real buzz similar to anytime the boys have to meet up for a trip back home. Usually we would ask the manager to try and get all of us who were based in the UK on the same flights back to Port of Spain or whichever country we would need to fly to if we were playing away. Sometimes a couple of us may play on the Sunday or Monday so that guy would have to fly on a separate day.
But this time there was a different feeling. There was a little bit of anxiety but at the same time it was an exciting period. We knew at his point, even though we lost the previous match away to Costa Rica, that two wins against Panama and Mexico would almost guarantee us a fourth place playoff and a spot in the playoffs. We were in good spirits because the last time the group got together we were able to beat Guatemala, Russell was back in the side and things felt right. We were now a more confident team. Even though we lost to Costa Rica, I thought we handled ourselves really well in that match and had competed strongly and were maybe unlucky to not come away with a draw at least.
So by the time we got the two wins over Panama and Mexico, we took a little bit of the momentum into the Bahrain games. I don’t need to tell you how crazy it was playing at home in the first match and when I look back at it I think it worked out in our favour to play the second match away because all the pressure of playing at home and the distractions maybe would have been a problem.
And I think it was in that first leg because we didn’t particularly play well. But the confidence and belief we got from the win over Mexico was still there and we took it with us on the plane to Bahrain. We know it was now or nothing. Bahrain got the away goal but we still had faith in ourselves and we knew what we were capable of. It was one of those experiences where we went in there with all guns blazing.
I'll go back to the first morning at the hotel in Bahrain after we arrived the night before. The contingent was huge because not only did the charter have the players and staff to the front of the plane but the President Max Richards and a bunch of TTFF officials and supporters had come on the trip to support the team. Even the Woodbrook Playboys Steelband was somewhere down in the back of the plane. We were in a separate hotel and the rest of the crew stayed at another place.
Beenhakker had this thing instilled in us where we always had to be responsible for our teammates. So you are rooming with someone else and he is like your family member. That’s who you are living with and you need to look out for him. It’s the same thing on the field. You should know his whereabouts, what he’s up to especially for that critical moment or when a question comes your way. You don’t really want to leave anyone behind. It’s either you go down together or you don’t go at all. It could not be a situation of one man taking the fall while the other is trying to brakes.
So on the first morning it was just one of those unfortunate situations at breakfast with Chris Birchall. Chris was mocking about as usual haha. But I could not leave him and come downstairs to the breakfast room. As the senior player here I had to take responsibility. I took it on the chin and I apologized afterwards.
Obviously in that moment I’m walking in with Chris and the place is dead silent and Beenhakker is there very cool waiting on us. He would put everything on hold until we were all together. All the players are sitting at their tables and no one had gone to be served. And this made it even worst to go through something like that because obviously you are walking in and the entire squad and staff is there knowing you are responsible for the late start to breakfast because you’re late. But it was his way of making us all accountable to each other and responsible for what took place.
Yes Beenhakker was upset and obviously I was upset but at the same time you don’t want to leave your man behind and I wasn’t going to leave Chris. At the end of the day he was somebody I was going to be fighting the battle with on the pitch. He was the baby in the squad but he was one of the lads who would have your back out there. It was funny looking back now because we didn’t know what to expect from the head coach at the time. You had to show him that respect and demonstrate that you understood the meaning of team.
I had a chat with Beenhakker privately after breakfast and he understood what happened. He knew very well what the possibilities were. We had just come from a long flight, guys were tired and adjusting to the time difference but he knew what he was doing. He was always a step ahead and doing what he believed was best for the team. When you look back now after the fact that we qualified for the World Cup, who can really question him?
The thing is he had to set the right examples. He just didn’t do these things to me. He did it to Dwight, to Stern, all the senior boys. He never allowed anyone to think that because you have a name that you were going to get away with certain things. It was a level playing field with Beenhakker and there was no exception for me, Chris, Russell, Stern, Dwight or whoever else.
I still get chills down my spines when I recall these moments especially when you sit back and reflect on the fact that we won the game in Bahrain and qualified for the World Cup. Everything we went through as team led to us achieving what some felt was impossible at the time. There’s no other way I would have it.
This is just the first part of a series I’m writing and you can read a bit more of my journey on pushing limits.net. I hope it gives you a good perspective and makes good reading.
Until next Time
Carlos
Carlos Edwards played in all three matches at the 2006 World Cup Finals. He made 97 appearances for Trinidad and Tobago. He played professionally for Defence Force and in the United Kingdom for Wrexham, Luton Town, Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Millwall, Wolverhampton Wanderers. He had a stint with Central FC in T&T coming down to the end of his playing career.
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Carlos Edwards re-lives his time with Wrexham AFC and successful career in the game
By Tom Norris (leaderlive.co.uk)
CARLOS EDWARDS has been rolling back the years by re-living his time with Wrexham.
The 92-cap Trinidad and Tobago international played over 150 times for the Reds during a five-year stay at The Racecourse, winning the LDV Vans Trophy at the Millennium Stadium on 2005, as well as promotion to the then-Third Division in 2002/03.
Edwards, 41, answered supporters’ questions on Wrexham’s official club website about his time in the game, which also saw him play for Wolves, Millwall, Ipswich, Sunderland and Luton, shining in the Premier League and Championship.
Who was the best player you played with at Wrexham?
The best player I played with at Wrexham would be Darren Ferguson, quality, loved a moan up but top quality!
Off the field what did you find strangest about living in Wrexham after coming from T&T?
The strangest thing obviously would have to be the weather, raining, cold! And the people were always friendly.
You were always so polite and gave time to fans. What advice would you give to young footballers who ignore their fans?
I don’t agree with ignoring fans especially young fans, as players emotions run high, so I understand they have some egos, but no need to ignore your fans, they have emotions also, it should be mutual respect.
Are there any top young Trinidad & Tobago players who should be following the path that yourself, Hector (Sam) and Dennis (Lawrence) coming over to play at the Racecourse?
There are a lot of talented players in Trinidad and Tobago who can follow our path, but there’s a lot of things you have to put into place, luck, attitude, desire everyone thinks talent will get you where you wanna go, its a start.
What was your favourite moment in a Wrexham shirt?
There can be a lot to mention but making my full league debut for Wrexham would always be my favourite.
What was it like working with Roy Keane?
It was great, a bit crazy but very disciplined, he’s a winner.
Was there a big move you wanted to happen in your career but never materialised for whatever reason?
I would have loved a big move, but every club that I played for, in my mind, that was my big move. I just wanted to enjoy my football.
What difference does the crowd make when playing? How do you think you’d have got on in a behind-closed-doors league game?
The crowd plays a very big part, I get paid to entertain them and that’s the beauty of the fans.
I think I would get on pretty well, behind closed doors, you have your team-mates there to drive you on, just without the fans.
If you hadn’t been a footballer, what would you have liked to have done?
Most people don’t know I was in the military, so if I wasn’t a footballer, I would have been a soldier!
What’s your biggest regret in football?
I don’t have any regrets, every decision made me into a better player, person and I learnt a lot playing football.
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WATCH: Former Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Carlos Edwards talks about his time at Sunderland AFC.
https://www.youtube.com/v/AWpzSUFaEYY
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WATCH: In this 45-minute plus conversation, former national midfielder Carlos Edwards talks about his days at St Anthony's College under head coach Nigel Grosvenor, his transition to Wrexham AFC, what his current status as a youth coach at Ipswich Town is like, and what his hopes are for football in Trinidad and Tobago.
https://www.youtube.com/v/5h7cz9R2UkU
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Former Ipswich Town player Carlos Edwards relieved of managerial duties at Woodbridge Town
By Liam Apicella (Suffolk News)
On the eve of the 2020/21 season getting under way, Woodbridge Town have decided to part company with manager Carlos Edwards.
The former Ipswich Town player signed dual registration terms with higher-league Bury Town last season and he went on to make six appearances for the Isthmian League North Division outfit.
And it is that link with the Blues that has prompted the Woodbridge board to make their decision, though they added he remains signed on as a player.
A Woodpeckers statement read: "Carlos has been playing for Bury Town on occasions that there hasn't been a fixture clash with Woodbridge, with the consent of WTFC.
"However, the board insist that as manager, Woodbridge Town Football Club and the required duties associated with the role should come first. This is for the benefit of the players, supporters and the club as a whole.
"This level of commitment is a must and unfortunately it has recently become an issue that the board believe have made the manager's position untenable.
"Carlos has had his first taste of English non league football with us and we have been very fortunate to share that part of his career with him.
"He really has been a joy to watch and has been a vital part of the team during the past three years. We have been privileged to be able to gain from his experience as an ex-professional."
Woodbridge also revealed the former Trinidad & Tobago international has been replaced on a caretaker basis by Glenn Snell, who has drafted in ex-Debenham LC and Harleston boss Leon Moore for support.
Moore told the Woodbridge website: "I'd like to thank the chairman and Woodbridge Town for giving me this opportunity to come in as caretaker manager alongside Snelly.
"It's not an ideal situation we find ourselves in (this close to the start of the season) but Glenn and I are here to win as many games as possible, whilst playing an entertaining brand of football.
"We've had a positive reaction from the players and it's time to look to the future. I'm looking forward to meeting the fans who are going to be vital over the coming weeks to get behind the team."
The duo's first game is the Emirates FA Cup tie against Biggleswade on tomorrow night (7.45pm).
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Ex-Ipswich star Edwards signs full-time for Bury Town
By Carl Marston (Bury Mercury)
Bury Town fans had a taste of Carlos Edwards in action for their side last season, and now the 41-year-old ex-Ipswich Town star is set to play a bigger part in the Blues’ 2020-21 campaign after signing full-time for the Ram Meadow club.
Edwards turned out for Bury from last February, whenever his main club Woodbridge Town, for whom he was joint player-manager, didn’t have a fixture. It was a dual registration that worked out well for both clubs.
But the Trinidad & Tobago international is no longer part of the set-up at Notcutts Park, having stood down as manager, and so is free to turn out at Step Four for ambitious Isthmian League North outfit Bury.
Ben Chenery’s side begin their season with a trip to Northamptonshire tomorrow, for an FA Cup preliminary round tie at Step Five Cogenhoe United, of the United Counties League.
Blues boss Chenery said: “I am very pleased to have Carlos with us full time.
“His experience will be invaluable for our young side, and he is still a terrific player.
“The rest of the squad will learn a lot from him and he is a great person to have around the club.”
Veteran Edwards is still remarkably fit, for a 41-year-old, having originally begun his professional career in the UK with Wrexham in 2000. He signed for Ipswich in the autumn of 2009 from Sunderland, for a combined fee of £4m with Grant Leadbitter, and went on rattle up 192 appearances for Town, initially as a winger under Roy Keane and then as a right-back under Paul Jewell.
He is set to celebrate his 42nd birthday next month, on October 24, but should still be capable of doing a fine job for Bury Town, probably in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Woodbridge Town put out a statement at the start of this month, with regards Edwards, saying:
‘The Woodbridge Town Management Board have regrettably taken the difficult decision to relinquish Carlos Edwards of his managerial duties at the club with immediate effect.
‘The decision was certainly not taken lightly but one which the entire board were forced to make .... for the best interests of The Club.
‘Carlos has been playing for Bury Town on occasions that there hasn’t been a fixture clash with Woodbridge, with the consent of WTFC.
‘However, the board insist that as manager, Woodbridge Town Football Club and the required duties associated with the role should come first. This is for the benefit of the players, supporters and the club as a whole. ‘This level of commitment is a must and unfortunately it has recently become an issue that the board believe have made the manager’s position untenable.
‘Carlos has had his first taste of English Non-league football with us and we have been very fortunate to share that part of his career with him.
‘He really has been a joy to watch and has been a vital part of the team during the past three years.
‘We have been privileged to be able to gain from his experience as an ex-professional.’
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But the Trinidad & Tobago international is no longer part of the set-up at Notcutts Park, having stood down as manager, and so is free to turn out at Step Four for ambitious Isthmian League North outfit Bury.
It HARD for these writers to refer to Carlos as "ex" or "former" T&T international. Well, ah guess dey right. He still balling and we might still be calling. ;D
#howtocreepto100 #yuhneverknow #abnormalNC
And look ah next one (from Reply #107)
The Trinidad & Tobago international, 39, who played almost 100 times for the Caribbean island, including in the 2006 World Cup Finals, as well as more than 170 times for the Blues, is back living in Ipswich after a spell in his homeland.
Dey does call him ex or former everything else but international. Ah feel he send palos ah Century 21 sign for de igloo in Sea Lots. :rotfl:
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‘I bear no grudge’ – ex-Ipswich Town star Carlos Edwards on his Woodbridge Town exit
By Carl Marston (East Anglian Daily Times)
Carlos Edwards has spoken out and insisted that neither he, nor Woodbridge Town, bear any grudges after the two parties parted company at the start of this month.
Ex-Ipswich Town star Edwards, a former joint player-manager at Notcutts Park, has signed full-time with Bury for this season and played a key role in the Ram Meadow club’s 1-0 win at Cogenhoe United in the preliminary round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
An earlier statement issued by Woodbridge Town had revealed that the Thurlow Nunn Premier club had been forced to ‘relinquish Carlos Edwards of his managerial duties at the club with immediate effect,’ a decision ‘made for the best interests of the club.’
But the Woodpeckers also wished Edwards all the best within their official statement, and insisted that they felt ‘privileged to be able to gain from his experience as an ex-professional,’ while the 41-year-old himself still holds the East Suffolk club in high regard.
“I bear no grudge with Woodbridge, and Woodbridge bear no grudge with me,” insisted Edwards following the FA Cup win at Cogenhoe.
“It’s all been very amicable, and I will always be grateful to Woodbridge Town for giving me my first chance in non-league football.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Woodbridge, since 2017, and they have an excellent young team there. I wish them all the best for the future.
“But I now want to do well at Bury, and it’s a chance to play football at Step Four level, while I still can. When the opportunity arose, I had to take it. Hopefully, I can still do a job at this level. It’s a chance to help out the younger players,” said Edwards.
Veteran Edwards is still remarkably fit, for a 41-year-old, having originally begun his professional career in the UK with Wrexham in 2000.
He signed for Ipswich in the autumn of 2009 from Sunderland, for a combined fee of £4m with Grant Leadbitter, and went on rattle up 192 appearances for Town, initially as a winger under Roy Keane and then as a right-back under Paul Jewell.
He is set to celebrate his 42nd birthday next month, on October 24, but on Saturday’s evidence at Cogenhoe, he can still be very effective at Isthmian League North level with Bury this season, as a defensive midfielder.
“I’d like to score a couple of my trademark goals for Bury, but that maybe later in the season because I’m playing in a deeper role,” said Edwards.
“It might take a while now. I might have to bully a few of the lads like Cemal (Ramadan) to get on a few penalty-taking duties!”
Edwards continued: “The aim is to get in the top six, that is the aim this season.
“Our aim is to be up there challenging for honours, that should be the aim of all of us. If we can finish in the top two that would be a bonus.
“Saturday was a battling win (1-0 victory at at Cogenhoe). The gaffer (Ben Chenery) did his homework in midweek and we came with a game-plan, which worked well.
Long may it continue.
“With the quality that the boys have, hopefully my experience can help with a bit of talking about what it takes to win a game.
“I’m looking forward to the season, hoping to play a few games. I’m sure the gaffer will be sensible, with my game playing me whenever possible.
“We have a few injuries and niggles, and it’s going to be a long season.
“I will just play my part whenever possible. The gaffer is looking for promotion this season, and we are all pulling in the right direction.
“For me, regardless of what level you are, it’s always going to be a a challenge.”
Bury have been drawn at home to Brightlingsea Regent in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup, to be staged at Ram Meadow next Tuesday, September 22.
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I joke about the longevity of Carlos Edwards, but I've learned since then that one of his contemporaries has not only made a return to the field, but is said to be one of Latas' reinforcements to boost the Barbados squad. Emmerson Boyce ... Intriguing.
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Former Town star Carlos Edwards having a huge impact at Bury – but when will he score?
By Carl Marston (East Anglian Daily Times)
Bury Town are by no means a one-man band – they have the core potential to be a very successful team this season – but Carlos Edwards has added that missing ingredient at Ram Meadow.
Former Ipswich Town star Edwards, who celebrates his 42nd birthday later this month (on October 24), delivered a man-of-the-match display in the middle of the park during Saturday’s FA Cup 4-1 triumph over Waltham Abbey.
The Blues have been drawn at home to Nuneaton Borough in the third qualifying round of the competition, following Saturday’s success achieved in front of a Covid-19 restrictions capacity crowd of 400.
Fellow Suffolk club Leiston’s reward for a 2-1 win at Leighton Town in Saturday’s second qualifying round is a home match against AFC Telford United.
The draw was made this lunchtime.
Bury will fear no one, after a terrific start to the season, helped by Edwards’ calming influence in midfield – he signed up with the Blues this summer, after parting ways with Woodbridge Town, where he was a joint player-manager.
“Carlos does all the simple things so well. He’s such a calming influence on the pitch,” enthused Bury boss Ben Chenery.
“I think it gives the players a huge lift when Carlos is playing, because they feel as though they gain confidence from him.
“He’s been there, seen it and done it.
He has time on the ball. He played further forward to start with (against Waltham Abbey), and then sat further back later in the game.
“I’m just amazed he hasn’t scored yet! But he’s getting closer,” added Chenery.
The Blues are attracting all-ticket capacity crowds at the moment – that was the case on Saturday, and also applied to the previous midweek league clash with Great Wakering Rovers, which ended in such controversy.
That game was called off due to fog, with Bury leading 5-0 with just seven minutes remaining. The Blues are still hoping that the Isthmian League will decide that the result should stand, rather than insist on a replay.
“We have submitted our report, and so has the referee,” explained Chenery.
“The League meets again in another month, when we hope that common sense will prevail.”
As regards the all-round strength and potential of his squad this season, Chenery explained: “It takes time to build something special.
“We are building something here and we are improving all the time.
“The players have put something back into the club with this cup run, and this will go some way to making the club sustainable during some very difficult times.
“We are getting 400 fans to every game – the fans are turning up in their droves.
“It’s funny really. We could probably have got 600 in here (for the FA Cup tie against Waltham Abbey), because there is so much interest in the club.
“I thank the supporters. They are creating the buzz, they are buying the tickets and they are coming through the gate.
“The club is in a very healthy position, but I am fully aware that we have to make sure we stay humble ,and that we keep our foot flat on the pedal.
“We must not change from our identity; we stay focussed.
“I feel there is a good buzz in the camp, and I have built a core group.
“The likes of Carlos Edwards, Ollie Snaith, and Baris Altintop have come in and improved us still further for this season,” added Chenery.
Bury still have a number of injured players waiting to come back, experienced players like Ryan Stafford, Ryan Jolland, Joe White, Ollie Fenn and Ryan Horne,
The Blues are home to Dereham Town in the Isthmian League North this Saturday.
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Passion from Carlos Edwards: 'You can't be an Ipswich player and not push for promotion... This is Ipswich Town we are talking about!'
By Mike Bacon (East Anglian Daily Times)
Former Ipswich Town skipper, Carlos Edwards, says Blues players have promotion 'in the palm of their hands' and its up to them to 'go the distance'.
In a passionate plea, the 42-year-old who played almost 200 times for the Blues and was players' player-of-the-year in the 2011/12 season believes, despite Town's recent poor run of form, the team are more than capable of promotion, and should look to grab it with both hands.
He also says Town's injury crisis should act as a spur to fit players to retain the shirt - not ever be worried they are set to lose their place.
"For the Ipswich players, promotion is in the palm of their hands. As a player, it is up to you to take it and go the distance," Edwards said.
"Ipswich are too much of a big club. You can't be an Ipswich Town player and not push for promotion in any division you are in. This is Ipswich Town we are talking about here.
"I played for Ipswich and Sunderland. And now look, you have two of the bigger clubs in English football fighting to get in the top six of League One. That's crazy.
"Ipswich shouldn't be fighting to get into the play-offs, they should be top three."
Edwards, who is currently plying his trade for Bury Town in Isthmian North, was a popular member of both Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy Town teams. He signed for the club in September 2009, along with Grant Leadbitter, for a combined fee of £4m. He left Town five years later.
And he's not convinced injuries to the Blues team should stop their progression.
"Fortunately, as a player, I never had to hope someone got injured for me to get a run of games," he said.
"Then again, I used to be pushing all the time. If the manager didn't want me to play, fine. But if I had the shirt, I wanted to keep it.
"If a player is injured and you are in the team, you must make sure he has a nightmare trying to get back in the team when he is fit.
"That's how it was when I played. Today, too many players have a run of games because someone is injured, but in the back of their minds, mentally, they are already thinking when so and so comes back, he'll play.
"But you can't think like that, hell no. You have to make sure when that player is fit, he has to wait, he has to wait for you to get injured before he gets his place back.
"Ipswich are good enough to go up. I have no doubt they can go the extra mile."
Edwards is still coaching at youth level with AFC Sudbury, while playing for Bury Town. He was doing some coaching at the Ipswich Academy, but not know.
The non-league game is currently suspended and there is talk it will be null and voided, something Edwards hopes won't happen.
"I don't want to think of it," he said.
"It would really be tough because the boys at Bury and the management have worked really hard this summer to get fit, both physically and mentally. We went on a good cup run, but have only played four league games and it is obviously a headache to even think about it being written off.
"Of course everyone's health is more important, but I hope they can find a way to get the season up and running."
But if it is null and voided, will that be it for Edwards - he will be nearing 43 years old when next season starts?
"You put me on the spot!," he laughs.
"I think I would say, I'd give it another year. I enjoy it that much. I think some of the younger lads like having me around, even though I think some of them think I'm about 25!
"I have no problem playing 90 minutes because I'm naturally fit. If the gaffer wants me to stay another year that's fine by me. But I'm happy for the boys to step up and give me less playing time if that's the way it is.
"But say, I did pack up, I would still be in the thick of it at Bury. Ben Chenery, the chairman, Russell Ward and Alan Lee, it's a fantastic back room staff for that level.
"They have the recipe for success."
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WATCH: Carlos Edwards discusses his early days in football and his time at Sunderland.
https://www.youtube.com/v/vOYUEWPaf2A
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Carlos Edwards reveals what it was like to play under Manchester United icon Roy Keane
By Jake Bacon (talkSPORT)
Roy Keane will send ‘shockwaves’ through Scottish football if he is appointed Celtic’s new manager. That’s according to Carlos Edwards, who played under the Manchester United legend at both Sunderland and Ipswich.
Despite not managing a club since leaving Ipswich in 2011, Keane is one of the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Neil Lennon at Celtic, who surrendered their Scottish Premiership title to Steven Gerrard’s Rangers this season.
And Edwards, who was signed by Keane for Sunderland in 2007 before linking up with him again at Portman Road two years later, has backed his former manager to be a hit in Glasgow.
“If Roy gets the job, give him time, that’s all he needs to be successful,” he told talkSPORT.
“It would be massive. All you’ve got to do is look at Stevie G at Rangers. He’s been in the job for almost three years and you can see the big change.
“Now, with a new face and a new challenge coming into that Scottish league, it would be even bigger.
“Roy Keane vs Steven Gerrard, who had battles with each other for Manchester United and Liverpool, that would send shockwaves through Scottish football.
“He would get the backing of the fans there. He’s been out of management for a long time, but I don’t think it would be a concern because he is a football man.
“He knows the ins and outs, he’s played at the highest level. He’s been an assistant to Martin O’Neill [at Aston Villa, the Republic of Ireland and Nottingham Forest].
“So just being around football for such a long time, I don’t think it would be beyond him.”
Keane guided Sunderland to the Premier League in the 2006/07 campaign, before leading the Black Cats to a 15th-placed top-flight finish.
The Irishman resigned from his role in December 2008, but jumped back into management with Ipswich four months later where he signed Edwards for a second time.
Edwards revealed his teammates used to up their games in training due to Keane’s accomplishments as a player, which saw him win seven Premier League titles.
The former Trinidad and Tobago midfielder said: “He used to join in on the training sessions quite a lot. He used to love that.
“He used to take the mick out of some of the guys sometimes because he still had those touches.
“By him joining the training, it gave the guys that extra spark to impress him a bit more. That was a good sign.
“Sometimes he’d just sit back and watch the training and have his second in command and first-team coaches do a bit.
“When it came to the nitty, gritty side of it, making sure everything is solid and secure in team selection, he was the man at the forefront.”
But Edwards, who now plies his trade with non-league club Bury Town, admitted Keane went ‘overboard’ with his criticism of players at times.
He added: “I got a few bollockings for messing up in games and causing a few goals, but I never got the brunt of it.
“Roy had his moments when he let a few steams out, which is understandable.
“He went overboard at times, but as a player you had to sometimes take it on the chin and just try to move on.
“When emotion gets the better of you, which happens to most people, a few words were said.
“In my career with him, I never saw him physically go at anyone, but words can hurt a lot. There were times he could have dealt with things in a different way.”
Edwards recalled how every player had to always be on their ‘A-game’ under Keane.
“There were always tough moments because every player had to be on their game,” the 42-year-old added.
“If training started at 9am, he would like you to be at training maybe an hour before, he’d like you to socialise with your teammates and have a bit of breakfast.
“The guys bought into the philosophy he brought in because you’re only seeing each other for a short space of time during the day, but he wanted us to be more connected on and off the field.
“Everybody had to be on their A-game when it came to him, not just in games, but in training, in the way you carry yourself, because you’re not just representing a Roy Keane player, you’re representing the club.
“So he made those things very, very clear to the players.”
Keane is often seen dishing out harsh truths as a television pundit on Sky Sports. And Edwards insists what viewers see on television is exactly what you get in person.
He explained: “Roy was very hard to read. He had a good pokerface. I always say to people what you see on the television with Roy is exactly the way he is in person.
“He’s not changing for anyone. He will tell you it as it is and go about his business.”
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Edwards appointed Women’s Senior Team Assistant Coach.
TTFA Media.
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association is pleased to welcome Carlos Edwards to its National Teams set up as the former international has been appointed as Assistant Coach for the Senior Women’s National Team.
Edwards, a UEFA B Licence holder, will join head coach Kenwyne Jones and his staff which is currently preparing the current squad for the start of the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, Women’s World Cup qualifying round . Edwards’ appointment takes place on the heels of the departure of previous assistant coach Charlie Mitchell.
Edwards was appointed after the TTFA worked with Jones to determine a shortlist of qualified candidates who share a similar coaching philosophy and who Jones has a synergy with given the short time frame.
On taking up the position, Edwards, 43, expressed delight and enthusiasm on joining Jones’ team.
“When I got the call from Kenwyne indicating his interest in me coming on board, obviously for me it was a no brainer. It was an opportunity for myself to work for the country once again and try to give something back. I know it’s not going to be easy but nothing good comes easy as I can vouch for with my experience on the playing side of it,” Edwards told TTFA Media.
“Now the opportunity comes to do a bit of coaching, to pass on a bit of knowledge and to work with my former teammate. And it’s something special. I am looking forward to hit the ground running really hard.
“I will try to do what I have to in order to make Kenwyne the best manager (coach). That’s part of my job which is to assist and make Kenwyne as good as possible and to obviously give the ladies something they haven’t get seen from my side in terms of my input as a coach,” added the former Sunderland player.
“I hope everyone on board will pulling in the right direction because it is an opportunity for the women’s team to achieve some success. I am grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to it.”
Edwards worked as a coach in the TTFA U-15 set up in 2016 and has also worked with the Ipswich Town Academy. He is also attached as the head coach of the AFC Sudbury U-15s and worked as a coach with Bury Town in England.
Jones, a teammate of Edwards in the 2006 World Cup squad, commented on the appointment, saying “I think Carlos is a fantastic addition to the national set up. He is another player who has played for the country, representing at the highest level and now being able to be involved in our football again in a mentoring capacity. We are absolutely delighted to have him on board and we hope that this could be another point in building for our future as Trinbagonian coaches and players,” Jones said.
The full squad will assemble for a residential camp next week leading up the opening CONCACAF W Qualifier against Nicaragua carded for February 17th at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. Further details on the upcoming fixture will be presented in due course.
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Win or lose. I’m happy that experienced individuals are giving back of their time. :applause: :salute: :wavetowel: :wavetowel:
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Win or lose. I’m happy that experienced individuals are giving back of their time. :applause: :salute: :wavetowel: :wavetowel:
Entirely curious wording ... especially the giving back of time bit ... Iz like yuh foreboding non-payment.
Welcome to the ride Carlos Edwards. Learn and succeed.
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Played for Both: Former Sunderland and Luton midfielder Carlos Edwards
By Christopher Nicholson (si.com)
He will always be best known for that goal, the one that sent us back to the Premier League. Yes, of course I am talking about that absolute screamer against Burnley.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Edwards attended St Anthony's College in Westmoorings, the same as future international and Sunderland team-mate Kenwyne Jones. He started his professional footballing career at Defence Force in the T&T Pro League (Trinidad and Tobago professional league).
Edwards moved to England after a successful trial at Wrexham in 2000 signing for a fee of £250,000. It's fair to say that Edwards time at Wrexham was a successful one.
Helping the team to promotion to the Second Division in 2003, Edwards also made the PFA Third Division team of the year. He made the team of the year again the following season.
Edwards also won his first bit of silverware when Wrexham took the Football League Trophy in 2005.
At the end of the 2004-05 season Edwards left Wrexham on a Bosman transfer, joining this weekend's opponents Luton on a three-year deal. He became a popular figure at Luton, winning the Young Members Player of the Season award during his first season at the club.
Edwards was a part of the Trinidad and Tobago squad that took part in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. This was the first and, so far, the only time Trinidad and Tobago failed to get past the group stage, picking up just one point.
Along with the rest of the squad (which included other former Sunderland players Kenwyne Jones, Dwight Yorke and Stern John) Edwards received a Gold Class Chaconia Medal - this is the second highest state honour of Trinadad and Tobago.
In January 2007, after being convinced by then Sunderland boss Roy Keane, Edwards was to link up with fellow national teammate Dwight Yorke. He signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Black Cats for a fee of £1.5 million.
It's fair to say Edwards' Sunderland career started positively, with him scoring five goals during the rest of the season and helping the Blacks Cats gain promotion back to the Premier League.
In fact, it was Edwards' winner in the 80th minute versus Burnley that confirmed promotion to the Premier League - and what a goal it was; an absolute screamer. Drink it in.
Edwards' first full season at the club was to be a frustrating one hampered by injury. Only two games into the season he fell victim to a hamstring injury, then shortly after returning from that injury he suffered a leg fracture. He returned towards the final months of the season and contributed to Sunderland's survival in the Premier League.
The following season saw some new faces at the club, meaning game time was hard to come by for Edwards. He joined Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers in October 2008 on a three-month loan. His time at Wolves was a short one though, and he was recalled in November after only six appearances for West Midlands side.
Reuniting with former manager Roy Keane, Edwards joined Ipswich in September 2009 with fellow Sunderland team-mate Grant Leadbitter for a combined fee of £4 million.
Edwards' time at Ipswich was a success, winning Players Player of the Season in 2012, and in the same season he became Ipswich captain. However, in the 2013-14 season Edwards found games hard to come by and in March 2014 he joined Millwall on loan.
His move to Millwall was made permanent in May 2014 when he signed a one-year contract, however an injury early in the season ruled him out of most of the 2014-15 season. Edwards was released at the end of his one-year contract but later re-signed for Millwall for the 2015-16 season, helping them reach the League One play-off final - which they lost to Barnsley.
On leaving Millwall Edwards returned to Trinadad and Tobago to play for Ma Pau Stars in the TT Pro Leagues. He then signed a short three-week contract at TT Pro League team Central FC to take part in the Caribbean Cup.
In 2017 Edwards returned to Sussex and joined non-league Woodbridge where he became joint player-manager in 2019. He then left to join Isthmian League's Bury Town - where he had already been playing due to an arrangement with Woodbridge which allowed him to play for Bury Town when he didn't have a game for Woodbridge.
He is still playing at Bury Town at the age of 43 and also holds a coaching role at Ipswich, a role he has held since 2018.
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WATCH Catching up with Carlos - Edwards talks Luton's Premiership chase and T&T's Gold Cup qualification (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=MKWf-OvUjww)
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Have we seen the end of the Jones, Edwards coaching era ? I guess since they didn’t have a ticket to observe the U 20’s.
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Former Ipswich Town, Sunderland and Luton Town player Carlos Edwards signs for Hadleigh United
By Liam Apicella (Suffolk News)
Hadleigh United have secured the services of former Premier League player Carlos Edwards.
The 44-year-old, who played every minute of Trinidad & Tobago’s campaign at the 2006 World Cup, made almost 500 league appearances in English football’s top four divisions, turning out for the likes of Wrexham, Luton Town, Sunderland in the top flight and Ipswich Town.
More recently he has been playing for Bury Town at Step 4, but he has now switched to fellow Suffolk side Hadleigh United in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division.
A post on Hadleigh’s Twitter feed read: “We would like to welcome Carlos Edwards to the club.
“Carlos will bring plenty of experience to the club on and off the pitch. We are delighted to get this one over the line. More signings to be announced soon.”
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I guess that means he not coming to player-coachwe O40 fete match team. Dem paying he 💰, we full on 🍺 and 💨 yuh know, Carlos.