Dave Delight At Success Of Close Pal

Dave Edwards’ busy start to the season on the TV gantry has taken another welcome twist with the arrival of one of his best football mates in the Match of the Day studio.

The former Molineux midfielder has already co-commentated at three matches and ends the month on duty at Wolves’ game at Nottingham Forest.

But media life has become even better for him with Joe Hart’s unveiling as a pundit alongside Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer on the show that this weekend celebrates its 60th birthday.

The retired former England and Manchester City keeper – a Shrewsbury team-mate of Edwards around 20 years ago – followed up his analyst work at the Euros over the summer by stepping in on Saturday to the role vacated by Ian Wright at the end of 2023-24.

“I thought he did really well for a first time and messaged him to say ‘well done’ afterwards,” Edwards said. “To go on a show that’s as iconic as that can’t be easy but he visibly relaxed as it went on and gave some excellent insight, including on David Raya’s contribution against Wolves.

“I played golf with him around six weeks ago and we said we’d go round again when the kids are back to school. Gary Lineker is so relaxed and people like him and Alan Shearer clearly do loads of preparation but Joe has been in dressing rooms much more recently than they have and that is useful.

“The game is constantly evolving and up-to-date knowledge in the different tactics is gold-dust. I am fascinated by it and he knows so much that the viewer can’t be expected to be party to. Add to that the fact he is a specialist in a position that hasn’t often been represented on the programme.

“Probably like me, Joe would have given interviews as a player and hoped to give a service to the media without causing any controversy. Now he will be looking to what other players do and making clever observations.

“Even that is only part of it, though, because you have to then express your opinions in an articulate and interesting way.”

Hart, 37, called it a day after serving Celtic for the last three years, his departure from the Scottish champions coincidentally creating the gap into which Mike Stowell’s good pal, Kasper Schmeichel, has now stepped.

He is handy for the Salford studios, based as he is in the north-west, and will presumably be part of the rotation policy on the Match of the Day sofa over the coming months.

A taste of the TV spotlight presented itself to him when he appeared on a Question of Sport and he has made an impressive start to talking the talk rather than walking the walk.

“There are so many broadcasters round the world that I am sure Joe wouldn’t be short of work offers but I know he’s proud to be on a programme that has stood the test of time so brilliantly,” Edwards added.

“I grew up with it as essential viewing and, though I realise you could probably see the goals from round the country by 7pm, I avoid them so I can see them for the first time on Match of the Day. There’s something really special about it.

“I have been on Match of the Day Wales and would probably have seen him at the Euros if we had qualified this summer but am excited to be busy again in club football now the League season has started.”

Edwards is using a rare weekend off to go with his son to watch Wolves’ home game against Chelsea on Sunday and has already taken in Luton’s dramatic draw at Portsmouth – complete with reunions with Rob Edwards and Kevin Foley – the Birmingham v Reading League One clash and Sheffield Wednesday’s win at Hull in the Carabao Cup.

He was also heard as a co-commentator during some of Wolves’ pre-season games in the United States.