Edwards excelled at both football and cricket and had trials for both sports, at Bolton Wanderers and Yorkshire CCC in 1947. He joined Bolton and signed a full-time professional contract in October 1947. He stayed at Burnden Park for 18 years, although his career was interrupted by two years National Service, winning an FA Cup winners medal in 1958 when Bolton defeated Manchester United 2–0. He made 483 league appearances and 518 in all league and cup games mostly as a wing half before later playing as a centre half retiring in 1965, aged 35.