Josh Edwards goes from Wembley tourist to play-off promotion-chaser
The last time promotion-chasing Charlton star Josh Edwards was at Wembley he was on a tour with his dad.
This afternoon he will have access all areas and hopes that includes a dream ticket to the English Championship.
The defender, along with fellow Scot Greg Docherty, will be looking to help Charlton Athletic take care of London rivals Leyton Orient so he can walk the 107 Wembley steps up to lift the League One play-off trophy with the Addicks.
Edwards recalled: 'I did the old Wembley tour back in 2015 or 2016. 'I was 15 or 16 years old at the time and I went down with my dad. 'So I have been to Wembley but it was a long time ago and I have never seen a game there. 'I got a few pictures taken with me sitting on the bench. 'I'm sure my dad will get it back out at some point. 'There are photographs but I am hoping nobody gets their hands on it. 'I haven't seen the photos in years.'
The 24-year-old has had experience of playing at the likes of Hampden, Ibrox and Celtic Park but accepts this afternoon will be the biggest of the lot, with such a big prize at stake,
He acknowledged: 'I think it's probably the biggest game in my career that I've had.
'I've had the opportunity to play in some big stadiums and big games.
'I've played at Hampden a few times.
'I've played Celtic Park and Ibrox and that sort of thing.
'I've played in big stadiums, but obviously this one trumps a lot, doesn't it?
'In terms of size and that sort of thing.
'It's definitely the biggest game I've been a part of in my career.'
The left-back swapped Dunfermline for Charlton in the summer transfer window. The aim was always to get promotion and knows it would be great if they could do it via Wembley.
Edwards claimed: 'It was definitely one of the things that made me want to come to England, for my career and to play in these sort of play-off games.
'In Scotland, the season finishes a bit earlier than England, so you're always just sitting at home watching these sort of play-off games.
'It's definitely something I've wanted to do for a long, long time.
'We've had a good second half of the season to get ourselves into the play-offs.
'We're playing well at the minute, so hopefully come Sunday night we'll be a championship club.'
Edwards biggest headache has been trying to get enough Wembley tickets for family and friends.
He acknowledged: 'It was a bit of a scramble to get tickets. 'I needed to get 19 in the end 'It was a tough one, but a lot of the people that have come and gone have already been down this season and supported me and that sort of thing.
'So to try and get the tickets for them was a bit of a no-brainer. It's not just as if they've come and gone for the final or one-off sort of thing.'
The good thing from Charlton's point of view is that they beat their rivals, Orient, home and away in the League. They will be looking to make it the perfect hat-trick under the Wembley Arch.
Edwards admitted: 'To be fair, both games have been really, really, really tight.
'They've both been last-minute goals we've scored against them.
'The first game we scored in the 90th minute.
'We were 1-0 down away from home against them when we scored.
'We scored two goals in the 80th minute and in the 93rd minute we won it.
'They've both been really tough, demanding games. It's been very close between us.
'Thankfully we've got the win against them twice and hopefully it will also prove to be third time lucky.'
It has been some rise from Airdrie to Dunfermline and now Charlton. To steal a famous phrase from a certain former Newcastle manager in Kevin Keegan.
Edwards said: 'I'd absolutely love it, if we could get promoted. 'It would be great.
'That was our aim at the start of the season.I'd love it. I'd absolutely love it.'
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