[6] Edwards played in the first five games of the 1892–93 Second Division season – Small Heath's first in the Football League – and scored on his and their debut, in a 5–1 defeat of Burslem Port Vale,[7] but could not compete with established inside forwards Billy Walton and the prolific Fred Wheldon.
[5] After a spell with Ryton Rovers, Edwards signed for Midland League club Leicester Fosse in October 1893.
[3] He again scored on debut, completing a 4–0 win at home to Mansfield Town,[8][9] and continued as a regular in the side until the following March, a leg injury keeping him out of the last few matches of the season[8][10] as Leicester confirmed their runners-up spot and successful application for admission to the Football League.
[2][3] Edwards settled well at Wolverton, playing as an attacking centre half,[5] and helped them gain promotion to the Southern League First Division via the test match system.
[3] He made seven appearances in all competitions in the first three months of his two years with the club, and moved on to Bedford Queen's Works of the Northamptonshire League.