Edwards: Keith

1986-1987 (Player Details)

Forward

Born: Stockton-on-Tees: 16-07-1957

Debut v Blackburn Rovers (a): 23-08-1986

5’8” 10st 3lb (1987)

Edwards played for Roseworth School and Stockton Boys and also had trials with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leyton Orient and a spell with Middlesbrough Juniors, before signing for Sheffield United in August 1975, initially on a three months trial. He scored twenty-nine goals in seventy games for the Blades, of which six were as a sunstitute, before leaving for Hull City for £55,000 in August 1978 and maintained an excellent scoring rate, with fifty-seven goals from one hundred and thirty-two appearances, which included two from the bench, before returning to Bramall Lane for £75,000 in September 1981. He spearheaded the Blades to the Fourth Division title and netted one hundred and fourteen goals in one hundred and ninety-one games, including eight as a substitute, in his second spell at Bramall Lane, taking his career tally to two hundred before joining Leeds United. Leeds paid Sheffield United £125,000 for Edwards, who had trials at Elland Road as a youngster. He arrived at Leeds in August 1986 but, after a disappointing start to the season he lost his form and his place. He was one of the best penalty-box predators in the lower Divisions but was hit and miss during his stay at Elland Road. He had scored many goals for the Blades and the Tigers but his partnership with Ian Baird did not really fire at Leeds. A late flurry of Edwards’ goals contributed to the United push into the 1986-87 promotion play offs. He earned the title of super-sub for his ability to score vital goals when introduced late in a game. He came off the bench to score vital goals in both Play-off Semi-Final legs against Oldham Athletic to take them through to the Play-ff Finals against Charlton Athletic. He also did the same in the FA Cup Semi-Final thriller against Coventry City at Hillsborough. In September 1987 he joined Aberdeen for £60,000 rejoining his ex-Blades boss IanPorterfield. He did not stay long at Pittodrie, scoring twice in nine appearances, before he returned to Hull City in March 1988 for £50,000. He stayed there eighteen months, scoring twenty-nine goals in fifty-five starts, before he moved on the Stockport County in September 1989 for £60,000. At Edgeley Park, Edwards contributed ten goals in twenty-six starts and one game from the bench. He had been loaned out to Huddersfield Town in March 1990 and notched four goals in six starts and four games from the bench, and in August 1990 he joined them for a fee of £25,000, and a hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers, in the third game of the season suggested that he had lost none of his scoring instincts. In December 1990 he was loaned to Plymouth Argyle, returning after having scored once in three starts in his short stay. He finished the season with the Terriers scoring four times in ten starts and eight substitute appearances before retiring in June 1991. Later he played for Non-League Stafford Rangers, Stalybridge Celtic and Alfreton Town. He then became a lorry driver based in Sheffield. In recent years, Edwards has worked for BBC Radio Sheffield commentating on matches involving one of his former clubs, Sheffield United.