Where Joe Edwards ranks for most all-time Plymouth Argyle appearances

Edwards is currently the Pilgrims’ longest-serving player after joining from Walsall in the summer of 2019

It is unusual for a professional footballer to stay six seasons with the same club, but Joe Edwards has done so at Plymouth Argyle.

The 34-year-old is the Pilgrims’ longest-serving player, having joined as a free agency from Walsall in the summer of 2019, Ryan Lowe’s first signing as Argyle manager. Edwards scored the memorable goal that guaranteed Argyle’s Championship survival in the final game of the 2023/24 season, defeating Hull City 1-0 at Home Park.

However, the season that just ended was difficult for Edwards. After a solid start with some consistent fine performances, he suffered a hamstring injury in a 3-3 draw at home to Preston North End in late October, which sidelined him until March.

By the time he returned to action, Argyle were in serious relegation trouble, from which they could not recover, and Edwards had very limited game time due to Matty Sorinola’s form at right wing-back.
The club captain finished the season with 13 starts and five substitute appearances. He only scored one, but it was a late winning goal as the Pilgrims defeated Sunderland 3-2 at the Theatre of Greens in September, unquestionably their finest result during Wayne Rooney’s brief spell as manager.

Edwards, who is under contract with Argyle until June 2026, is on the verge of breaking into the top 50 all-time appearances at the club. He is presently tied for 53rd with Alec Hardie and Norman Mackay, who both played for the Pilgrims during the two World Wars, with 241 games (205 starts and 36 substitute appearances).

David Norris, who will be Argyle’s player-coach in the TST Tournament in the United States later this summer, is ranked 52nd with 243 matches (232 + 11). William Horne, who played for Argyle from 1907 to 1914, is 51st on 245, one game behind Curtis Nelson (238 +8) and Paddy Ratcliffe (1947–1955), who are joint 49th.

After his injury-plagued 2024/25 season, Edwards does not have the most appearances among the current team. Ryan Hardie holds the record, with 248 (174 + 74).