By Kirstie Fitzgerald
What does 714 games, 200 goals and four Glen Orden Hawks have in common?
They are the combined stats of Reserves coach Darren Edwards and his three sons who will run out for the first time to play alongside each other in the Reserves team this Saturday.
Having supported sons Michael, Corey and Jesse through their football careers over the past 15 years, father Darren will come out of retirement to play the last game of the home and away season against Manor Lakes.
Despite already having father-son duos play in the same team before, this will be the first time a father will play with all three of his sons at the Glen Orden Football Club.
With the passion for the game and the love of the Hawks passed down to his children, Darren said that today’s match was something he had never thought possible.
“It’s a dream come true and something that I never thought we would have the opportunity to do,” he said.
“I’ve played with the boys individually before on the odd occasion, but never all four of us together, so it should be a really proud moment for me as a father.”
Joining Glen Orden in 1999, Darren has not only been a successful player at the club, but has also coached at both junior and seniors levels, recently pulling on the whistle this year to lead the Reserves.
With oldest son Michael returning to football after ten seasons to captain the reserves team this year and both Corey and Jesse playing in the seniors squad, Darren said that the club was happy to accommodate to make his dream a reality.
“We’ve always talked about it, but it’s only really come together in the last couple of weeks,” he said.
“The club comes first, and obviously with us not making finals this season, the club gave us permission for me to come out of retirement and play with my boys.
“Particularly with their willingness to allow Jesse and Corey to come down from the seniors to play in the Reserves team has been great.”
Yet despite their competitiveness on the field, Darren said that there won’t be any family rivalry in the game, with all four men just happy to be a part of it.
“While I’m sure the boys will want to put in a good performance, we’re all just happy to be there, win, lose or draw.”
But just when you thought there were enough Edwards men at the game this weekend, Darren’s father will also be in attendance, supporting his grandsons from the sidelines.
“The old man will be there watching on as well as a number of other family and friends, so it should be a great day and hopefully we come away with a win.”
Last Modified on 13/08/2015 16:07