May 24th, 1968 – Derrick Trevor Edwards was born to Ishmael Edwards of Jennings and Matilda Smith-Roberts of Bolans.
His early years were spent in Jennings with his grandmother, where he attended Jennings Primary School. At the age of 13, he moved back to Jennings to live with his mother and transferred to Bolans Primary School.
He recalls growing up in that era as tough but fun nonetheless. His fondest childhood memories included going out onto the village field with other children from the village to play sports from morning until evening, when parents would come to round them up with sticks. He also enjoyed going into the bushes to pick mangoes, oranges, and any other fruits they could get their hands on.
As a child, it was customary for everyone to have a nickname, and he was given ‘Pretty Boy’. That name would stick with him throughout the years.
Spiritual development played a crucial role in his childhood, as his grandmother insisted on regular church and Sunday School attendance, ensuring that he learned the golden text.
Shortly before he was due to sit his Post-Primary examinations, Edwards opted to leave school. Things were really rough for his mother, who had to provide for six children, so he felt duty-bound to get a job to make things easier for her. He found work at the Jolly Beach Resort, in the maintenance department, for three years before being laid off. However, fortunately for him, they needed assistance in the kitchen, so he took the offer. Over time, he would work his way up the ladder to the point where he was given major responsibilities, including overseeing the preparation of breakfast for the guests.
While working at the hotel, he was invested in playing football, a sport he had grown quite passionate about from his days playing on the village field. Despite being exposed to cricket, he felt more of a natural inclination towards football as he found its fast-paced nature more exciting in comparison to the lengthy, drawn-out cricket game. The hotel shifts collided with football training as they were constantly clashing. He chose to quit and take up a job with an American construction company, Devcon, which better fit his football schedule. Over his ten-year stint in construction, he was part of the construction boom surrounding the Jolly Harbour and Heritage Quay developments.
The period also included significant growth in his football prowess. Pretty Boy football exploits began as a goalkeeper, a fact he notes might be unfamiliar to many. However, along the way, he felt a need to be more involved in the action and decided to transition to the outfield. It was a bit rocky at first, but within a year, he was able to cement his spot in this new area of the game as a forward (striker).
He started with his village team, Bolans, before transferring to SAP Football Club. He moved again to Lion Hill Spliff, which provided him the opportunity to play alongside national football elites such as Ivor Luke, Ashby Williams, and Mervin Richards, among others. Lion Hill Spliff would win the Premier Division Championship in the 1993/1994 season. Pretty Boy considered his stint with LionHill invaluable as it helped him to maintain his form.
At the age of 19, he earned a selection to the national football squad. He represented for 14 years, scoring against each team he played against across the region and amassing a total of 59 goals from his 63 games. He earned the moniker ‘Number 4 Must Score’, which stayed with him throughout his football exploits.
He recalls his most memorable game, which took place in 1990 against St. Lucia in the Leewards versus Winwards Championship finals. Antigua and Barbuda, the reigning Leewards Champ, was down 2 – 0 at the end of the first half. He was instrumental in the team’s rally and scored the winning goal just before the final whistle. He would be a part of the winning formula the following year, also scoring.
Ivor Luke, one of Antigua and Barbuda’s best on the football field, reflecting on Derrick Edwards says, “Great, legend. Best striker I’ve seen live, and was fortunate enough to play with. Technically proficient and more complete all-around game than most others”.
Edwards played professionally with the Caribbean All-Star team in 1995 and 1998. In 1998, he was provisionally scouted by English recruiters in Trinidad, but it did not materialise; he was already 28, outside the age range usually selected.
Pretty Boy transitioned from player to coach in 2003. He began this segment of his career with the SAP FC. He served as Head Coach for Old Road FC from 2009 to 2012 and for Grenades FC from 2016 to 2020 and from 2024 to the present. He served as National Team Head Coach from 2005 to 2008 and from 2018 to 2019.
Looking at football today, Edwards laments that the quality of play is not comparable to what he experienced on the field. He is concerned about the limited opportunities for young players, as he notes that most of the available exposure to the sport is through football academies that require payment. Many parents cannot afford to send their children. In his position as a coach in the Ministry of Education, Edwards is doing his part in molding the young talent.
Edwards’ coaching pathway continues. He looks forward to professional coaching duties beyond the shores of Antigua and Barbuda and has been actively working towards that goal. He currently holds a UEFA B License but hopes to obtain the UEFA A License, the highest practical coaching award available, which would enable him to coach at a professional level.
He continues to live by the values instilled in him as a child, serving as a born-again Christian and family man, and he encourages and mentors the youth under his care. He is also in high demand as a landscaper.
Edwards is pleased with his accomplishments and encourages youth within the sport to remain motivated and put in the work.
Edwards on Cricket in Brief
Throughout his long football journey, Edwards also played club cricket and excelled, which led to his representation of Antigua at the U19 level in 2003. He also represented Antigua and Barbuda in the exciting Stanford 2020 in 2006, earning a Player of the Match Award in a thriller versus St. Lucia.