Dave Edwards 'overwhelmed' by support from Wolves fans

The midfielder, who was proud of what he achieved at Wolves, has opened up after joining Reading in the final week of the transfer window.

The 31-year-old still believes he has his best years ahead of him, and even though he admitted it was a shame to leave Molineux, he predicts a bright future ahead for the club.

“It’s been overwhelming the amount of messages of support I’ve had and the good luck messages, both from Wolves and Reading fans,” said Edwards. “Particularly the Wolves fans – I’m really happy with the tone of the messages in terms of them being grateful for the loyalty I’ve shown for the club and how hard I’ve worked.

“I’ve always said that I don’t have a problem with anybody questioning my footballing ability, that’s their prerogative.

“As long as they know that I’ve genuinely put in my absolute all and everything that I can control my side in terms of effort and discipline. Going out of my way to help the football club whether that be on the pitch, off the pitch, in the community or in any way possible.

“I’ve always done that and I think, from the messages I received, the fans understood how much I did give and that’s all I can ask for.”

Edwards made 307 appearances across 11 seasons for Wolves. He played in three tiers, won two promotions with the club, and suffered three relegations.

“Now it’s a few days further on, and having a few more days to reflect on it, I really am looking back over the last ten years with a lot of pride," he said.,

“I’m really happy with how my career went at Wolves even thought it was up and down at times.

“My overriding emotion now is definitely one of gratitude and happiness with how it went.

“You don’t often stay at a club for that long and, right from the very first moment I joined, I was welcomed with open arms.

“Over the nine-and-a-half years I’ve built up some amazing relationships and I’m ever-so-proud to have played for a club of Wolves’ size and stature for that long, in an era when that doesn’t really happen.

“Hopefully I’ll be remembered fondly but I owe a lot to Wolves for what they’ve done for me and my family over my time there.

“The club’s shown me loyalty in my career while I’ve had injuries etc. Managers, owners and staff have always backed me and given me new contracts through difficult times.

“It’s a shame that it ended like it did in a situation where it was all done so quickly but the club’s going in a new direction and I honestly think that it’s going to be very successful.

“The new head coach is very good and the owners are going to be a huge success as well. With that comes new faces and, unfortunately for me, I didn’t fit the bill.”

Despite, that Edwards believes he’s been playing his best football in gold and black during the last few seasons, and his favourite moment in a Wolves shirt came just a few months ago.

“The one specific moment that stands out for me was earlier this year when we played Liverpool in the FA Cup,” he said. “I was captain on the day and I remember standing in the tunnel at Anfield.

“I’ve played there before and it’s always a special moment when you’re waiting to hear ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

“On this occasion I was stood in the tunnel with a young mascot next to me, I think his name was Fletcher if I remember rightly.

“We were chatting and you could just hear the 9,000 Wolves fans singing the ‘We’ve Got Edwards’ song. It was echoing down the tunnel. For me to be stood there, hearing that, with the captain’s armband, about to walk out in front of 55,000 people was really magical.

“To then earn a 2-1 win, a famous Wolves victory, was really special.”

He added: “I think the last three or four years, from the end of the League 1 season and into the following Championship seasons has been my favourite time.

“That’s the period where I think personally I’ve been most consistent, I’ve played the most football and scored the most goals.

“Also, it’s been a time where my young family have been able to watch me play. My little girl isn’t the biggest football fan but my young boy has been coming to all the games.

“To be able to share those memories with him and the rest of my family has been one of the best parts.”

Edwards joined Reading in a £1million deal just over a week ago, and he’s confident he can play a crucial role for the Royals.

“I still think the best years of my career are to come,” he said. “I feel as fit as I have done since I was 17 or 18-years-old.

“My body’s in really good shape, I’ve played a lot of matches over the last few years and I feel like I’m coming to period in my career when I can hopefully be really successful and score a lot more goals.”