Preston Matthew Edwards (born 5 September 1989) is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Dulwich Hamlet.
Club career On 4 September 2007, Edwards made his first professional appearance for Millwall when coming on as a sub against Swansea City in the Football League Trophy first round.
In January 2009, he joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Dover Athletic on loan after an injury to the club's first-choice goalkeeper, John Whitehouse. He made his debut in a 0–0 draw against local rivals Ramsgate. Whilst at Dover Athletic, he helped them secure the title and promotion to the Conference South. On 22 June 2009, he rejected a new one-year deal from Millwall, and was therefore out of contract and released.
At the start of the 2009–10 season, Edwards signed for Grays Athletic along with eight other players. On 24 March 2010, Edwards played in a behind closed doors reserve match for Crystal Palace against Millwall. He was released at the end of the 2009–10 season.
Edwards signed for Ebbsfleet United on 28 July 2010, after a successful trial period.
He became a YouTube sensation in February 2011, racking up over eight million views (as of late June 2014), after being sent off just ten seconds into a 3–0 defeat to Farnborough. This is believed to be a record for a goalkeeper. Despite this setback, Preston became a fan favourite amongst club fans and a key asset for the club. After promotion, Preston asserted himself as Ebbsfleet number one before an ankle injury cut his season short. Despite the club finishing second bottom of the Conference Premier in the 2012–13 season, Edwards drew praise from many for his performances throughout the season and went on to dominate the club's end of season awards ceremony, winning a large majority of the trophies on offer including the Players player of the year and the Fans player of the year award. Although it was rumoured that his services were wanted by John Still, the recently appointed manager of Luton Town, Edwards signed a new contract with the club, keeping him on for the 2013–14 season.
Edwards continued as the club's first-choice goalkeeper for the 2013–14 season and was kept on for the 2014-15 campaign. During that season, his spot as the club's first choice goalkeeper was challenged by Brandon Hall. Manager Jamie Day brought him back into the team for the FA Trophy clash with Forest Green Rovers on 10 January in which he helped secure a 1–0 win. Edwards made his 200th appearance for the club in the 2–2 draw with Hemel Hempstead Town in late February.
Ahead of the 2015–16 season, Edwards joined newly promoted National League side Boreham Wood on a season-long loan deal. However the deal was cut short with Edwards making only six league appearances, and he went on to join Isthmian League Premier Division side Dulwich Hamlet on loan on 20 February 2016 for the remainder of the season.
With his contract at Ebbsfleet expiring, Edwards signed for Dulwich Hamlet ahead of the 2016–17 season, going on to make 66 appearances in all competitions in his first full season at the club.
In January 2022, Edwards returned to Cheshunt having spent time with the club on loan in 2020. At the end of the season, he signed for Potters Bar Town.
On 7 October 2023, Edwards' return to Dulwich Hamlet was announced.
International career In October 2010 Edwards was called up to the England C team for the first time.
Family His sister Steph reached the final of the 2013 series of Britain's Got Talent as part of the band Luminites.
Career statistics
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMillwall 2007–08League One1000001Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy020 2008–09League One0000000000Total1000001020Dover Athletic (loan) 2008–09Isthmian League Premier Division130———130Grays Athletic 2009–10Conference Premier20000—00200Ebbsfleet United 2010–11Conference South41030—2Appearance(s) in FA Trophy0460 2011–12Conference Premier31010—30350 2012–13Conference Premier43020—10460 2013–14Conference South44020—30490 2014–15Conference South15000—40190 2015–16National League South00——0000Total174080—1301950Boreham Wood (loan) 2015–16National League6010—0070Dulwich Hamlet (loan) 2015–16Isthmian League Premier Division120——2Appearance(s) in Isthmian League Premier Division play-offs0140Dulwich Hamlet 2016–17Isthmian League Premier Division44020—17Five appearances in Alan Turvey Trophy, ten in FA Trophy, two in Isthmian League Premier Division play-offs0630 2017–18Isthmian League Premier Division34020—3One appearance in Alan Turvey Trophy, two in FA Trophy0390 2018–19National League South40020—30450 2019–20National League South5000—2070Total123060—2501540Cheshunt (loan) 2019–20Isthmian League Premier Division2000—0020Dartford 2019–20National League South00——0000Brentwood Town 2020–21Isthmian League North Division3030—0060Braintree Town 2020–21National League South60——0060 2021–22National League South6010—0070Total12010—00130Cheshunt 2021–22Isthmian League Premier Division180——5One appearance in the FA Trophy, two in the Alan Turvey Trophy, two in the Isthmian League Premier Division play-offs0230 2022–23For FA Cup Second Qualifying Round: National League South14010—00150Total32010—50380Potters Bar Town2023–24Isthmian League Premier Division10010—00110Career total4080210004604750
Honours Ebbsfleet United Conference South play-off winners: 2010–2011
References
External links
Preston Edwards at Dulwich Hamlet F.C.