Preston Edwards

Preston Matthew Edwards (born 5 September 1989) is an English footballer who plays for Dartford as a goalkeeper.

Preston Edwards
Edwards playing for Dulwich Hamlet in April 2016
Personal information
Full name Preston Matthew Edwards
Date of birth (1989-09-05) 5 September 1989
Place of birth Cheshunt, England[1]
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Dartford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2009 Millwall 1 (0)
2009 → Dover Athletic (loan) 13 (0)
2009–2010 Grays Athletic 18 (0)
2010–2016 Ebbsfleet United 201 (0)
2015–2016 → Boreham Wood (loan) 6 (0)
2016 → Dulwich Hamlet (loan) 12 (0)
2016–2020 Dulwich Hamlet 50 (0)
2020 → Cheshunt (loan) 1 (0)
2020– Dartford 0 (0)
National team
2006 England U17 1 (0)
2006 England U18 1 (0)
2011 England C 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17 July 2020 (UTC)

Club career

On 4 September 2007, Edwards made his first professional appearance for Millwall when coming on as a sub against Swansea City in the Football League Trophy first round.

In January 2009, he joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Dover Athletic on loan after an injury to the club's first-choice goalkeeper, John Whitehouse. He made his debut in a 0–0 draw against local rivals Ramsgate. Whilst at Dover Athletic, he helped them secure the title and promotion to the Conference South. On 22 June 2009, he rejected a new one-year deal from Millwall, and was therefore out of contract and released.[2]

At the start of the 2009–10 season, Edwards signed for Grays Athletic along with eight other players.[3] On 24 March 2010, Edwards played in a behind closed doors reserve match for Crystal Palace against Millwall.[4] He was released at the end of the 2009–10 season.

Edwards signed for Ebbsfleet United on 28 July 2010, after a successful trial period.[5]

He became a YouTube sensation in February 2011, racking up over eight million views (as of late June 2014), after being sent off just ten seconds into a 3–0 defeat to Farnborough.[6] This is believed to be a record for a goalkeeper.[7] Despite this setback, Preston became a fan favourite amongst club fans and a key asset for the club. After promotion, Preston asserted himself as Ebbsfleet number one before an ankle injury cut his season short. Despite the club finishing second bottom of the Conference Premier in the 2012–13 season, Edwards drew praise from many for his performances throughout the season and went on to dominate the club's end of season awards ceremony, winning a large majority of the trophies on offer including the Players player of the year and the Fans player of the year award. Although it was rumoured that his services were wanted by John Still, the recently appointed manager of Luton Town, Edwards signed a new contract with the club, keeping him on for the 2013–14 season.

Edwards continued as the club's first-choice goalkeeper for the 2013–14 season and was kept on for the 2014-15 campaign. During that season, his spot as the club's first choice goalkeeper was challenged by Brandon Hall. Manager Jamie Day brought him back into the team for the FA Trophy clash with Forest Green Rovers on 10 January in which he helped secure a 1–0 win. Edwards made his 200th appearance for the club in the 2–2 draw with Hemel Hempstead Town in late February.

Ahead of the 2015–16 season, Edwards joined newly promoted National League side Boreham Wood on a season-long loan deal.[8] However the deal was cut short with Edwards making only six league appearances, and he went on to join Isthmian League Premier Division side Dulwich Hamlet on loan on the 20 February 2016 for the remainder of the season.[9]

With his contract at Ebbsfleet expiring, Edwards signed for Dulwich Hamlet ahead of the 2016–17 season,[10] going on to make 66 appearances in all competitions in his first full season at the club.

International career

In October 2010 Edwards was called up to the England C team for the first time.[11]

Family

His sister Steph reached the final of the 2013 series of Britain's Got Talent as part of the band Luminites.[12]

Honours
Ebbsfleet United

Conference South play-off winners: 2010–2011

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References
  1. Hugman, Barry J. (ed) (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  2. "Edwards leaves Lions". Sky Sports. 22 June 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  3. "Grays sign nine players in a day". BBC Sport. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  4. "Crystal Palace Res. 2-1 Millwall Res". Crystal Palace FC. 25 March 2010. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  5. "The new Fleet number one". Ebbsfleet FC. 28 July 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  6. "Youtube video of the incident". Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  7. "BBC Sport article". BBC Sport. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  8. http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/wood-bring-england-c-keeper-in-on-loan-40798/
  9. "Edwards Joins On Loan". Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  10. "Edwards Arrives For Keeps". Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  11. "Fleet stopper gets England call-up". Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  12. "You'll Need Some Talent to Impress Edwards!", The Non-League Paper, p. 19, 9 June 2013
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