|  Position:
Right-back
Age: 31
Born: Barnstaple (December 24, 1972)
Date signed: August 8, 2003
Signed from: Wolverhampton Wanderers, free
transfer
Contract: June 2005
City debut: v Bradford City A (August 9,
2003)
Season 2003/04 Appearances (max 48): 45 Goals:
0
Career appearances: 45 Goals:
0
Former clubs: Plymouth Argyle, Crystal Palace,
Coventry City, Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Minutes played in pre-season (max 630): 402
What an acquisition this experienced right-back turned out
to be. Quite why he spent much of the summer looking for a
new club, before Nigel Worthington snapped him up on a free
transfer, is a mystery. A real Mr Dependable, Edworthy filled
the gap left by the departure of Steen Nedergaard in exemplary
fashion as he did his job quietly and solidly at both ends
of the pitch.
Classic “Steady Eddy” who arrived virtually unannounced
48 hours before the start of the season and having watched
his young deputy Keith Briggs go to work for the first 45
minutes of the opening game at Bradford, the one-time Crystal
Palace and Coventry City full-back proceeded to make that
right-back berth his own in a near watertight Canary defence
that looks set to go down in history as the principal foundation
of Norwich’s title triumph.
Like skipper Adam Drury on the left, the only gap in his armoury
would be goal-scoring after drawing a blank for the season.
Otherwise, Edworthy has been a manager’s dream —
solid, consistent, reliable, basically injury-free and all
with a keen eye for a forward charge.
Released by Wolves last summer after being deemed surplus
to their Premiership requirements, there’s no doubt
as to who has enjoyed the last laugh there as Edworthy looks
forward to a season back in the big time as Wolves return
to the First Division.
Last season: Edworthy proved an excellent
acquisition last season after being snapped up on the eve
of the opening game. A real bundle of energy, his defending
was of the highest quality throughout the campaign, while
he also looked good going forward once he had settled down
at his new club.
Target for this season: To get a regular
game. The arrival of Thomas Helveg, one of the most consistent
right-sided defenders in world football, has posed an obvious
threat to Edworthy’s place in the side, which had been
all but guaranteed last season. It would be no disgrace to
play second fiddle to such an experienced international, but
Edworthy won’t see it like that. Like all professional
players he’ll want to play. The one plus for the popular
defender is that Helveg is a versatile performer and can play
in a number of positions – so all might not be lost.
Solid campaigner and one of the few players
with top-flight experience. Life is going to be difficult
for the City defence but Edworthy was one of the unsung heroes
in last season’s championship-winning campaign and,
at 31, he definitely still has a few years ahead of him. Again,
pace may expose Edworthy but he should have the know-how to
cope with most of what’s thrown at him. Will face tough
competition at right back from new boy Thomas Helveg.
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