Tredegar RFC Coach
Tony Edwards
When Tredegar started their search for a new coach for the current season the person they had in mind needed dedication, commitment, loyalty and ability when they appointed Tony Edwards they appointed someone who possesses all of these qualities.
A former back row forward with the club he retired much to the regret of Tredegar supporters having given loyal service to "Tred" in a career spanning over ten seasons. Tony was one of Tredegar's most dedicated and popular players and members were delighted when he returned as coach this season. Prior to coming back to "Tred" he had been coach at Abergavenny for a few seasons, seeing them win promotion to Division Two. Tony joined Tredegar from Newport and made his debut on the 31st October, 1992 in the home league draw against Tenby (13-13).
The team that day was: Martin Burridge, Paul Moyle, Jeff Daley, David Lynch (Capt), Ian Morgan, Andrew Green, Robert Jenkins, Ryan Buckley, Tony Bennett, Glyn Moon, Anthony Edwards, Richard Marsh, Andrew Howell, John Williams, Tony Edwards. The points coming from Andrew Green (PG), John Williams (T), Richard Marsh (T). Four seasons later he made his 100th appearance against Llanhilleth away on 23rd March, 1996 in a friendly, won by Tredegar by 62 points to 19.
The team that day was: Robert Jenkins, Chris Weed, Mark Fleet, Chris Lake, Darren John, Andrew Green, Steve Rowlands, John Richards, Lee Pickett, Alan Oliver, Anthony Edwards, John Williams, Tony Edwards (Capt), Ian Davies, Jason Price. His 200th Appearance was at home against Aberavon in a league victory 16-15 on 29th January, 2000. Matthew Chapman, Anthony Forrest, David Davies, Dean Blanks, Alan Bunny, Andrew Jewitt, Shane Pinch, Mike Hopkins, Terry Rogers, Richard Baker, Brendan A' Hearne, Jerrad Nolan (Capt), Andrew Smerdon, Tony Edwards, David Moore. Subs: John Jones, Stuart Jarman.
In total Tony made 299 for the club scoring 230 points from 46 tries. He was club Captain from 1993-1996 He never scored a hat-trick of tries, but scored a brace on three occasions: - Season 2000-01 against Whitland (H), and Llantrisant (A) and Tenby (A). Tony is the leading number 8 in league appearances with 94, and most in season (26) in 2001/2. Also in that season, alongside Stuart Jarman and Joe Campbell, Tony made six consecutive appearances with his back-row colleagues, the longest for a back row combination in the league.
Tony appeared for Tredegar 233 times in the league, which is a Club record, scoring 180 points from 36 tries. He also appeared in 20 cup games for Tredegar, joint fifth with Colin James and Wayne Jervis. Ian Lewis and David Moore with 23, and Mel Bevan and Howard Dwyer with 22 are ahead of him.
Tredegar's playing record during Tony's 299 Games
Pld W D L PF PA Tries F Tries A
Cup 20 9 0 11 325 359 40 44
League 233 123 6 104 4991 4437 659 526
Other 46 24 3 19 1117 847 163 121
Total 299 156 9 134 6433 5643 862 691
When Tony put on the Tredegar shirt he wore it with both pride and passion. He led by example not asking anyone to do anything he would not do himself. If our current squad show the same commitment to the side there's only one way that Tredegar can go, and that's forward.