Jon Edwards Returns Home

Photo courtesy of University of Incarnate Word Athletics

Midfielder Jon Edwards has returned to England to play for his hometown club - Canvey Island FC. The Gulls, having won promotion last season, compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division also known as the Ryman Premier League. The Ryman Premier League occupies the 7th tier in the English Football League system.

Prior to his return home, Edwards starred at perennial NCAA Division II power University of the Incarnate Word out of San Antonio, Texas. The Cardinals captured the 2006 and 2007 Heartland Conference titles. This season the men's soccer team has a record of 7-5. On Sunday, the team has an away showdown with conference rival St. Edward's.

Canvey Island FC is currently fifth with 22 points in the Ryman Premier League. Recently, the club defeated Wealdstone 3-2 in an impressive away victory. Tomorrow, the Gulls visit Cambridge City as both clubs compete in a FA Trophy 1st qualifying match. Thus far, Edwards has seen action in four competitions including two starts. He kindly spoke with Soccer City FC about his experience playing collegiate soccer in the US as well as his return to his hometown club.

1. You were a key member of the 2007 University of the Incarnate Word team that captured the Heartland Conference. How satisfying was the experience?

Yes it was pleasing to win the Heartland Conference in my two years at UIW in 2006 and 2007. The conference games often had an extra ‘edge’ to them and were always extremely competitive.

If I’m going to be completely honest 2007 was a disappointing season for all involved at Incarnate Word. At UIW we set very high standards to win the conference and try and get out of the region and we felt we had the capabilities to do so. We returned such a nucleus of players from a new and successful 2006 side and were extremely confident and optimistic for the season. Midwestern State University were superb last year, yet we beat them both times we played them (and they advanced to the final 4), and kept 12 clean sheets from our 20 games, showing the potential we had as a side. We just perhaps lacked the ability to score enough goals and win games comfortably against teams we were expected to win….every game was a real battle!!

2. What is your favorite aspect of playing the defensive midfield role?

Well when you play in a team that plays the formation effectively it allows you extra time and space to get the ball down and keep possession, something that I love to do. In our 2006 season we played a 4-5-1 with me as the defensive midfielder, which often allows you a lot of time in possession, something that all midfielders love and pray for!! The key to the role is your sense of importance to the team, you do feel that you need to be effective for the team to function properly, and that is something that you are able to embrace.

It is a position that involves a lot of hard work that can often go unnoticed, you don’t get into many scoring opportunities or to be a threat in the final third of the pitch as nearly all your work is down around the centre of the field. But if you play in front of excellent central defenders, that I was fortunate to do so at UIW, it does make your job much easier!

3. Do you keep in touch with any of your former teammates or coaches at UIW?

Yes certainly, I’m always on the internet working out the time difference and finding out how they got on as soon as I can!!! I often get one or two of the players to fill me in with a bit of an in-depth match report when they have the time to, when they’re not busy studying of course!

It was such a unique experience at UIW that I was extremely fortunate to experience. Over 2 seasons our squad consisted of players from all over the States, the U.K., Israel, Mexico, Serbia, Columbia and Trinidad to name a few and the team spirit was always fantastic. It was a cultural, as well as soccer experience and will always stay in contact with the majority of the squad and coaching staff from my time there.

4. Do you believe your former team has enough to capture the Heartland title again this season?

I’m confident 2008 will be a successful year for UIW. From what I’ve heard the players John Smith (Head Coach) has bought in have settled well, and certainly created more attacking options from the side last year. Also having Esteban Bayona back (missed the whole 2007 season due to injury) is a big plus and is like having a new player after missing a whole year.

I feel they have a great chance to retain the Heartland Conference and are certainly favourites to do so. St Edwards have started the season strongly and will probably be the main rivals, and they are playing each other this Sunday so that game should be a good indicator of how far each team can go.

But if the boys can get through to the Regionals, and with the tight defence and excellent goalkeeper that UIW have, anything could happen.....

5. How did you find your way to Canvey Island FC?

It was quite simple really!! It’s my hometown and played for the youth teams from about 10 years of age until I was U18’s. I was part of a successful youth side that did well in the FA Youth Cup and our manager all the way through was John Batch who is now First Team Manager. With 4-5 of the boys from my youth team representing the 1st team over the past few years and with John at the helm, I always remained ties with club. John knew I was returning and got in contact.

6. How has the experience been thus far?

It’s been excellent, although very different from my experiences of college soccer of the past 2 years. Frustratingly, I wasn’t eligible for the first 6 games of the season due to issues with my international clearance from playing in the States.

It has been 5 years since I’ve been back home in Canvey (as completed my Undergraduate degree in Cardiff, Wales) and so it has taken some re-adjusting. From being one of the oldest players in the team for the past couple of years with exceptionally talented individuals, I’m now in a changing room with players with years of experience around the professional and semi-professional game in England. Its been challenging and a great experience so far….(I’ve kind of been quiet and tried to ‘soak’ it all in and adjust to the differences!!). The game is extremely different with regards to tactics and mentality, but there is no doubt that my experience in college soccer has made me a much better player. Technical and physical levels were probably higher in the States, as well as mentality to really work on your game. The boys have been great and I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge so far.

7. Can the club challenge for the Ryman Premier League title?

Well the club has got off to a great start to the season. We only got promoted last season and was predicted that the club may find the step up difficult but so far we have more than held our own. John Batch has always been a successful manager and I have no doubt that it will continue.

It is a tough league and there are some very well financed clubs whose wage bills and attendances are extremely high. It is still very early to make any bold prediction but my early impression is that there is nothing to fear and if we are in the top half by Christmas, then perhaps we could set our sights on a play-off push. At this stage at the season though it is too early to say as over here our season our squad could play up to 50 plus games, so its certainly more of a marathon than a sprint….especially compared to the college soccer season!!!

8. Who is your favorite defensive midfielder from the past or present?

Well I’m not much of a tough tackling midfielder and rely more on possession and work rate so I guess I prefer defensive midfielders in the mould of Michael Carrick than Claude Makele. Steven Gerard is the most complete football player in the world in my opinion and so would have to be my favourite midfielder. The vision and composure of Spanish midfielders Xavi and Xabi Alonso is simply amazing.