Former Carlisle United history-maker lands new coaching role

History-making former Carlisle United star Rob Edwards has returned to club football in a new role.

The ex-Blues defender has linked up with Forest Green Rovers as first-team coach.

It sees Cumbrian Edwards, 51, back in the club game after a spell with the Welsh Football Association.

He joins Steve Cotterill's coaching staff ahead of the new National League season at the relegated Gloucestershire club.

Edwards, latterly Wales Under-19 head coach, said: “I’m delighted to be joining Forest Green in what looks set to be an exciting season.

“I’ve loved my time with Wales but it’s time for a new challenge and FGR poses a fantastic opportunity."

Edwards, from Cockermouth, was a teenage star at United in the early 1990s.

He joined the Blues as a schoolboy aged 14 under Harry Gregg.

After breaking into the first team at 17, he became the Blues' youngest-ever goalscorer when he converted a penalty against Maidstone United in September 1990 aged 17 years and 250 days.

That broke a long-standing club record previously held by George McVitie - and Edwards' record lasted until November 2019, when Jarrad Branthwaite's goal against Morecambe earned the Wigton star the title of United's youngest scorer.

Edwards' impressive displays at left-back earned him a move to Bristol City in 1991. The Wales international defender went on to play for Preston North End, Blackpool and Exeter City before managing Tranmere Rovers.

He has been with the Welsh FA for six years. "The FAW would like to thank Rob Edwards for all of his work involving the Cymru age grade sides over the last six years," they said in a statement.