Hadleigh United’s Carlos Edwards formerly of Ipswich Town and Sunderland City to turn 45 next week while still playing football
Carlos Edwards will celebrate his 45th birthday next Tuesday admitting he has no idea how he has managed to extend his playing days for so long.
But the former Trinidad & Tobago international, who helped Sunderland into the Premier League before enjoying two seasons there from 2007/08 before joining Ipswich Town and going on to captain them in a successful professional career, is adamant this season at Hadleigh United will be his final curtain call.
After leaving Step 4 Bury Town following a three-year spell in the summer, it was meant to be the end of the road for his playing days.
But Hadleigh boss Steve Holder and now departed assistant Liam Scopes managed to convince him to have one more season a level down in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division, helping a crop of players taking their first steps into the senior game.
And with 11 appearances and one free kick goal already under his belt for the mid-table Brettsiders, it is a decision the midfielder, who first came to the UK to play for Wrexham as a £250,000 signing in 2000, is glad he made.
“It was in my plan that after Bury that was it,” he said.
“But Steve and Liam Scopes spoke to me about coming to help and play a few games while trying to encourage and guide their up-and-coming young players who could maybe go to a higher level.
“I obviously had to negotiates with the wife a lot, hence the reason I don’t play every game because I did promise her I was going to call it quits and chuck the boots somewhere far away!
“But the love of the game got me going again and I do feel fit.
“I would never disrespect the game though if I didn’t feel I could give it 100 per cent.
“I do still enjoy it but at the same time I am not 25 anymore and my legs tell me that I need a rest if it becomes Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday.”
Having gone from a winger to now occupying a central midfield role as a number 4 or 8, he accepts his reading of the game has undoubtedly helped keep him playing, though he still believes he is learning even now.
“The players I play with now know what I’m like and I’m trying to learn from them at the same time I’m trying to teach them, which can be tricky.
“We had a slow start to the season and injuries haven’t helped, but you can see the development with them; some of the boys have developed a lot.”
Success in his final campaign will be predominantly continuing that journey for them, though a county cup winner’s medal is currently not out of the question.
After knocking out Premier Division leaders Mildenhall Town 1-0 without him last month, Edwards is likely to be involved as they look to cause an upset in their Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup tie at Felixstowe & Walton United, which has now been moved from his birthday to November 8 (7.45pm).
“When that game comes around we’re all going to be putting our best foot forward to try and do whatever it takes to get to the semi-finals,” he said.
“The boys have confidence in themselves and Steve has confidence in us.
“The boys should be relishing the chance to play against a higher opponent.”
Back to the present and Edwards was back on the pitch on Saturday as Hadleigh recovered from back-to-back 2-0 defeats with a goalless home draw with a club he had a spell joint managing ahead of joining Bury in Woodbridge Town.
This weekend sees the 10th-placed side travel to the Suffolk coast to take on third-from-bottom Kirkley & Pakefield (3pm).
As for his future following his last season on the pitch, father of three Edwards is not sure what it holds but renewing his UEFA B licence coaching qualification is something he is keen to do before it expires.
It allowed him to enjoy a spell last summer as assistant manager to former Sunderland team-mate and college friend Kenwyne Jones at the Trinidad & Tobago Women’s national team.
And linking back up with now departed Jones, if there would not be a need to move his Ipswich family, is something he has not ruled out.
