Edwards Family United In Welsh Patriotism

Dave Edwards is waiting to see whether his World Cup commitments continue following Wales’ elimination – after putting family first during the group stage.

The former Wolves midfielder has no regrets about having turned down the chance to head to Cardiff on pundit duty for his country’s games against the USA, Iran and England.

He stayed at home to watch them instead and said today: “The chance to watch it up here with my lad and my dad was too tempting.

“I have worked regularly on Wales games for a few years but I just wanted to be a fan during this tournament. It would have been different if I had been offered the chance of going to Qatar but I could get into it in a different way when surrounded by family than if I had been in a studio.

“I was a bit disappointed with their performances, of course. They didn’t play great except for half a game against the USA but just seeing them there was something to be very proud of. It was such a special thing for fans to be able to watch the Welsh team at a World Cup after all these decades.”

Not that Edwards – one of the heroic members of Chris Coleman’s 2016 European Championships finals squad in France – has lacked a voice during a tournament that kicked off amid intense criticism but is now frequently hitting the right notes.

“I have done pieces for talkSPORT, BBC Sports Wales and Sky, had my weekly column going in the Express & Star and Shropshire Star and been involved with some podcast work,” he added.

“The tournament has been good so far, with England appearing to be strong, and I am really looking forward to the knockout stages, hoping some more bits and pieces of work might come my way.”

The 36-year-old has also had far-reaching broadasting work domestically this season, with co-commentary work at the thrilling Plymouth-Exeter Devon derby followed within 24 hours by Rotherham’s draw at his former club, Luton.

His other destinations have included Ipswich and Charlton while his frequent visits to Molineux will be bolstered by a working trip in mid-January to the Wolves v West Ham game.

The demands on him mean this is likely to be his last year playing, though, with Bala Town going well both in the Welsh Premier League and in the cups.

They are though to the Welsh League Cup Cup final and still in the Welsh Cup but he added: “My lad is 12 and starting to play the game, so I would like to have more time to see him progress.”