Phil Edwards

Phil Edwards accepted a contract offer to join Stevenage in summer 2011 after his contract expired at Accrington Stanley; a club that the defender had played around 200 years and spent around six years with, following a permanent switch from Wigan Athletic.

The player started his career at the JJB Stadium as a youth and was soon loaned out to Morecambe, where he hardly featured during their Conference campaign. A second loan stint at Accrington Stanley proved to be more fruitful, and ultimately led to a full transfer in 2006.

A highly-rated performer during his time at the Crown Ground, he was a fundamental part of the Stanley side that qualified for the npower League Two playoffs in 2010/1. Indeed, it was to be his future employers that prevented was to triumph in the race for promotion.

The departure of Luke Foster had left a gap to be filled at the Lamex Stadium, and Edwards was certainly flexible enough to fulfil midfield duties in addition to his defensive capabilities. Graham Westley was delighted to capture the player ahead of Boro’s first effort at League One.

Edwards was released by Stevenage following the 2011/2 season; a lack of first-team opportunities and a change in management left the player surplus to new boss Gary Smith’s requirements.