Mike Edwards to have testimonial year in 2016

Notts County have confirmed that veteran defender Mike Edwards will be having his testimonial year in 2016.

The 35-year-old is currently in his tenth year with the Magpies, having made 269 appearances in an eight-year spell between 2004 and 2012 at Meadow Lane before returning at the beginning of the 2014-15 season.

As reward for Steady Eddy’s service with Notts, the Football League has granted him a testimonial year after a committee of fans applied to honour the defender.

The celebrations will include a number of events, including a testimonial match, all of which will be announced in due course.

During his first spell with the club, Edwards was part of the team who lifted the League Two title six seasons ago under the guidance of Steve Cotterill. 

After leaving Meadow Lane to join Carlisle United in 2012, he then returned to Notts a year ago, taking on the role as strength and conditioning coach as well as registering as a player. 

Despite his coaching responsibilities, Edwards’s performances on the pitch have seen him make 15 appearances this season and scoring five goals, an astounding ratio for a centre-back.

Speaking on the announcement, he said: “I'm truly honoured that a committee has got together to ask the club for permission to hold a testimonial year for me. 

“It's a massive honour for me and I'd like to say a big thank you, not just to everyone in the committee, but also to the Chairman Ray Trew and to Aileen Trew for their support in granting the permission. 

“I'd also like to say a big thank you to the fans, you've always made me feel welcome in my ten years at the club and I'm excited to soon be able to announce what we have planned.”