Dick Edwards

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Richard Thomas Edwards (born November 20, 1942 in Kirkby-in-Ashfield) is an English former professional football central defender.

Dick Edwards began his career as an apprentice with Notts County, turning professional in October 1959. He made his league debut a few months later in the 2-1 home win over Rochdale on December 26. He had come through the Notts County youth system at the same time as Jeff Astle and Tony Hateley who would quickly go on to better things, but Edwards remained with the Magpies as they fell back to the Fourth Division, going on to make 221 league appearances and score 20 goals.

In March 1967 he moved to Mansfield Town for £5,000, playing 45 times, scoring once, before a £30,000 move to Second Division Aston Villa. He played 68 times for Villa, scoring twice, but left in June 1970 after Villa had been relegated to Division Three for the only time in their history, joining Allan Brown's Torquay United for £8,000.

At Torquay he was a regular member of the side, but also gained fame for his other career as a country and western singer, often appearing with his Torquay teammate Bruce Stuckey. He left Plainmoor in July 1973, after 5 goals in 102 games, rejoining Mansfield Town on a free transfer, but remained only one further season at Field Mill.

After finishing his playing career he progressed his singing career and became a successful entertainer, first on the south coast of England and later touring around the country. He also recorded singles and at least one album, and a song about Torquay United called 'Oh United'. He currently fronts the Dick Edwards Trio.

Dick had been suffering from cancer and had an operation in 2007 to remove two of his vocal cords.