Dick Edwards: A Torquay United legend, on and off the pitch

Whatever else they achieve in football, some players nail down a special place in the hearts of supporters everywhere, and one such was former Torquay United centre-half Dick Edwards, who has died at the age of 82.

Tributes have rolled in for Edwards – the word ‘charismatic’ could have been invented for him - from Notts County, Mansfield Town and Aston Villa, where he was a fans’ favourite before he joined Torquay in the summer of 1970 (writes Dave Thomas).

Over the next three years the former miner from the Nottinghamshire coalfield played 116 games and scored seven goals.

He had made 350 appearances, often in front of huge crowds at Villa, before an £8,000 cheque brought him to Plainmoor, where United were then a force in the old Third Division (League One).

Edwards was an instant hit. His arrival coincided with Villa’s shock relegation, and in 1970-71 the two clubs promptly played each other twice in the league and once in the FA Cup.

Torquay won 1-0 in front of nearly 30,000 at Villa Park, drew 1-1 at Plainmoor and beat them 3-1 (9,227) here in the Cup First Round.

Edwards scored the third goal and celebrated with somersaults on his way back to the halfway line!

Despite playing for a Torquay side in decline, his form earned him an invitation to a 1972 pre-season tour with Manchester United, managed by his old Villa boss Tommy Docherty.

Edwards’ close friend and ex-teammate Bruce Stuckey recalled: “Dick did everything they expected of him in the games – he was that good – but he always played with a smile on his face and he liked a good time.

“In the end, they decided not to take him. But it can’t have been on talent, because he was different class.

“There were some First Division centre-halves, and one or two who played for England, who couldn’t lace his boots.”

Edwards was just as talented off the pitch.

He had played guitar since he was 15, was a natural performer and during his time at Torquay he enlisted Stuckey to form the Dick Edwards Duo, a country-and-western act that was hugely popular in pubs, clubs and on the Pontins holiday camp circuit.

He later continued the group as The Edwards Boys with his sons Dan and Matt.

“Dick had a brilliant voice and I did my best to support him,” said Torquay-born Stuckey, who enjoyed a fine career of his own as a winger with Exeter City, Sunderland, Reading and Torquay.

“We went through a lot together, all over the country. We had some wonderful times, and I’m so sad that he’s gone.”

Edwards’ central defensive partner for his final season at Plainmoor was Derek Harrison, who added: “It’s such a shame that Dick has passed away.

“Everyone will have great memories of him. He was some player, and there was never a dull moment with him around.”

Edwards proved his true mettle by overcoming throat cancer, which required major and pioneering surgery, in middle-age.

He never stopped supporting Torquay, making an effort to attend whenever they played in the East Midlands, longing for the day when they would regain the status he knew as a player in yellow and blue.