Joe Edwards

Joe Edwards was still a teenager when Bristol City sent him out on the kind of loan run that either finishes a career or builds one: Bath City, Stockport County, then Yeovil Town twice within a couple of years. He made only four appearances for Bristol City itself before Yeovil signed him permanently in January 2013, and it was there that his career found its shape. Later that year he was named the club's Player of the Season, and in May 2013 he was part of the Yeovil side that beat Brentford 2–1 in the League One play-off final to reach the Championship.

Moves to Colchester United and then Walsall followed, each on a free transfer, and by the time Plymouth Argyle brought him in on a free transfer in June 2019 he had built a reputation as a reliable, well-travelled lower-league defender rather than anyone's marquee signing. Plymouth is where he has stayed the longest, and where he has captained the side.

The high point came a decade after that first promotion. In 2022/23, Edwards captained Plymouth to promotion out of League One via the play-offs, echoing what he had done with Yeovil in 2013 and giving him two promotions of that kind with two different clubs. He had already been voted Plymouth's Player of the Season for 2020/21 by the club's supporters, taking 40% of the vote.

By May 2026, Edwards had made 282 appearances for Plymouth and scored 24 goals, numbers built up over several seasons rather than any single standout campaign. He now wears the number 8 shirt and remains the club's captain, still playing right-footed on a defence that has relied on his consistency more than any single moment.