A Real Privilege

Midfielder on reaching major landmark

Dave Edwards says that the milestone of his 500th professional game was beyond his 'wildest dreams' after he reached the landmark in Wolves' final game of the season against Preston at Molineux on Sunday.

Edwards, who recently marked his 300th Wolves game, has been a regular fixture in the club's midfield since his transfer from Luton in 2008 - an almost decade-long spell in gold and black which has spanned three divisions.

After the season-ending victory over Preston, he said: "I've been desperate to stay in the team in recent weeks to get to 500 this season.

"Never in my wildest dreams would I have pictured myself playing this many professional games. I remember my first appearance, which was as a substitute for Shrewsbury Town in the season we got relegated - that's 14 years ago now.

"To now have played 500 is an amazing thing and something I can tell my grandkids about!"

Edwards' Wolves career has been punctuated with both tremendous highs and resounding lows, and arguably, the Welshman's relationship with the Molineux fans has reflected this. Despite acknowledging that he may never win over every supporter though, Edwards is confident that there can be no doubting his commitment to the club.

"I know I split opinion," he added. "But I'm 100% sure that even the fans who don't think I'm technically good enough to be on that pitch know that I still put absolutely everything in, every time I play. I do absolutely everything in my power, every training session and every game, to play to the best of my ability.

"I know I'm not as talented as some of the boys, but it's not through lack of effort.

"I like to think that every Wolves fan knows that I'll always put the club first, I'll always put the team first and I'll never put myself above anything. I'm desperate more than anyone for this club to do well.

"It's a real privilege to be part of a club like this, and again, to play over 300 games for Wolves is something I could never have dreamt of."

Edwards' consistent performances this season have seen him shortlisted for Fans' Player of the Season along with Conor Coady and Helder Costa.

Of the accolade, he added: "Obviously I'm delighted. Helder's been brilliant and Coads has been Mr Consistent at right-back, so for me to be in there, voted by the fans, is a huge honour.

"When you hear songs sung about you by the fans it's great, and these are going to be fond memories when I look back on my career. Hopefully, whatever happens in the future, this will always be a club I can come back to and be fondly remembered for being proud to wear this shirt."