Shrewsbury Town hero Dave Edwards has lived the dream

To even step foot on the pitch as a professional is a difficult task and one that many aspiring talents dream of, with few ever achieving it.

But to make 600 appearances for big clubs, including your hometown team, is an achievement to be proud of.

What is, perhaps, even more rare is to be a fan-favourite with years of service at two clubs.

Born in the Shropshire village of Pontesbury, Dave Edwards came through the ranks at Shrewsbury Town before making his senior debut on the final day of the 2002/03 season as the club were relegated to non-league.

He followed that up with 17 appearances in the following season as Town returned to the Football League at the first attempt.

From there, he became a regular in the starting XI for his local team.

Known for his intense and energetic style in the middle of the park, he spent a season with Luton Town after leaving Shrewsbury before making a big move to Wolves.

At Molinuex he began to add goals to his game and was valued at the club for his late arrivals into the box and finishing ability.

After almost 10 years of service at Wolves he left for Reading,where he spent one-and-a-half years before returning home to Shrewsbury.

For all his achievements, his time playing for the Wales national team ranks highly.

He was part of the squad that reached the semi-final of Euro 2016, playing an important role on and off the pitch.

When asked for his career highlights, Edwards said: “For Wales it has to be the Euros, something I’d never dreamed of doing, since I’d started playing professional football it always seemed such a long way off.

“To play at the Euros is something I’m immensely proud of. With Wolves, to have over 300 appearances and getting to play in the Premier League.

“I always think my main highlight personally was captaining the side at Anfield and winning the FA Cup game there, that was a huge honour, with eight or nine thousand fans there. With Shrewsbury, there’s quite a few. Some from my first and second stint.

“The first a game that really sticks out is Wrexham away at the Racecourse where we went and won 3-1.

“I actually watched it back in the first lockdown on YouTube. It was bizarre to see myself running around so long. The play-off final to get out the Conference, although I was on the bench and didn’t get on, was a huge achievement by all involved.

“And in the recent stint the game against Liverpool at home was momentous and then, a bit like the Wolves game, to be able to walk out in front of eight or nine thousand Shrewsbury fans was very special.

“The fans that were there that day deserved the result and I was proud to captain the side.”

Now, in what could be his final season as a professional, the 34-year-old is seeing out his playing says in League One with Salop.

A loyal and hard-working player, Edwards is a hero at Montgomery Waters Meadow and Molineux.

When asked if he feels privileged for his football career, he added: “Most definitely, immensely proud and very privileged, I believe being a footballer is the best job in the world and I’ve loved every minute – even the downs – I’ve embraced every single moment.

“When I set out, just to make professional appearance for Shrewsbury was my dream, when I ticked that off it felt like I’d completed everything.

“To go on and play all the way through the league, international football, and 600 games, it’s hard to even name 50 or 60 they all blur! It’s strange but I’m immensely proud.

“If I ever do an interview when I’m older and it pops up under my name, 600 appearances, it’ll look nice.”