Liam John Edwards (born 2 October 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Leek Town.
Career Edwards started his career in Stoke City's academy, and signed his first professional contract with them in 2015.Stoke City: "Club Submit Retained List" He played no matches for the first team however, and was released in 2017.Stoke City: "Potters Submit Retained List" After his release, he signed for Bolton Wanderers and became captain of their U23 team. As captain, he led them to win the 2017–18 Professional Development League title.
In November 2018, Edwards signed on loan for Southport. His loan was extended to the end of the season in January 2019. He helped Southport win two trophies, the 2018–2019 Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy and Liverpool Senior Cup.
On 3 August 2019, he made his first appearance for Bolton's first team, playing the full 90 minutes of a 2–0 away defeat to Wycombe Wanderers. On 12 September 2019, he signed a new contract at Bolton until 2022. On 27 February 2020 he was ruled out for the rest of the season with injury.BBC Sport: "Liam Edwards: Bolton Wanderers defender out for season with knee injury" The injury also caused him to miss the entire 2020–2021 season as well. He finally returned from injury after 22 months out of action when he played 45 minutes for Bolton's Reserve team in a 3–0 defeat against Preston North End's reserves on 26 October 2021.BWFC: "Edwards: It's Good To Be Back" A week later he made his competitive return, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–0 against Rochdale in the EFL Trophy.BWFC: "REPORT: Rochdale 0 Wanderers 3" On 12 November 2021 Edwards re-joined Southport on an initial month's loan in order to build up match fitness having missed nearly two years of football.BWFC: "Loan Deals For Defensive Duo" He made his second debut for them a day later when he started in a 4–1 against Boston United.Southport Football Club: "The Southport line up this afternoon and, after Chris Doyle picked up a knock in training on Thursday, Liam Edwards on loan from Bolton goes straight in at the back."Southport Football Club: "It's all over and a brilliant 4-1 win to the rampant Sandgrounders." On 13 December, the loan was extended for another monthThe Bolton News: "Bolton Wanderers defender Liam Edwards extends Southport loan" and then was extended again until the end of the season on 9 January 2022.Southport: "Liam Edwards Loan Extended" On 3 May 2022, Bolton confirmed that he would be released at the end of his contract. After his release, he signed for Chester.
Personal life During his 23 month injury between January 2020 and November 2021, Edwards studied for a degree in chartered physiology just in case he would never be able to play again.The Bolton News: "Bolton Wanderers' Liam Edwards studied for degree during 23-month injury hell"
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsStoke City U-21s2016–17————2020Bolton Wanderers2018–19Championship00000000002019–20League One60001000702020–21League Two00000000002021–22League One0000001010Total6000101080Southport (loan)2018–19Soccerway: "L. EDWARDS"National League North22030–402902021–22National League North9000–30120Total31030–70410Chester2022–23National League North26020–203002023–24National League North21140–00251Total47160–20551Career total84190101201061 Notes
Honours Bolton Wanderers Reserves Professional Development League: 2017–18
Southport Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy: 2018–19 Liverpool Senior Cup: 2018–19
References