Paul Edwards

Who is Paul Edwards?

Paul Francis Edwards is an English ex-footballer who played as a defender for three clubs in the north-west of England: Manchester United, Oldham Athletic and Stockport County.

Born in Shaw and Crompton, Lancashire, Edwards began his football career with Manchester United, signing his first amateur contract with them on 14 August 1963. He turned professional 18 months later, but it was not for another four years that he made his first team debut, playing in the 3–0 defeat away to Everton on 19 August 1969. His first – and only – goal for the club came in the December of that year. In a League Cup semi-final against Manchester City on 17 December 1969, Edwards let fly with a long-range effort that flew past the City goalkeeper. It proved to be the highlight of Edwards' Manchester United career. In his first full season with the club, Edwards made 28 appearances for Manchester United, but a run of bad form halfway through his second season resulted in a short period in the reserves. Up to that point, Edwards had mainly been deployed as a right back, but when he returned to the first team, he was played at centre back.