Edwards using 'youth and energy' of Argyle squad

Joe Edwards had spells at Walsall, Colchester United, and Yeovil Town before moving to Plymouth in the summer of 2019

Plymouth Argyle captain Joe Edwards says he is relishing being the most experienced player at Home Park.

The 34-year-old has played 246 times for the Pilgrims since first moving to the club in the summer of 2019.

He has helped them win two promotions and was assistant on a caretaker basis after Wayne Rooney left late last year - helping mastermind Argyle's FA Cup third round win over Premier League side Brentford alongside coach Kevin Nancekivell.

"I use the youth and energy of the younger boys and that drives me on and keeps me going, and I'm sure they'll use me when they need to in terms of the help and the experience," he told BBC Radio Devon.

"We had a conversation at lunch and I said to one of the boys, 'this'll make you feel old, I played with David James' and a couple of lads didn't even know who he was, so it shows how young they are.

"There can be a real difference in age, but I think my biggest love and enjoyment still is playing, and I think having these younger lads with the enthusiasm of wanting to succeed, wanting to play football every day, is something that keeps me going especially.

"I still get invited out for food and things like that, so they haven't left me alone too much yet.

"But it's nice being the older one, I quite enjoy being the one they can lean on if they need to, but I also like still being involved with as much of the stuff going on day to day within the changing room and having a laugh really."

Joe Edwards captained Plymouth Argyle to the 2023 League One title, after helping the Pilgrims win promotion in the Covid-19 curtailed 2019-20 season

With a big turnover of players at Argyle over the summer following relegation from the Championship, Edwards' experience is even more key to the squad.

He had a frustrating 2024-25 season, spending much of the campaign on the sidelines after suffering a serious hamstring injury.

But while he laments being unable to help last season, he feels that the lack of football has benefitted him this season.

"That was my biggest disappointment from last year, the fact that I couldn't help as much as I wanted to and couldn't play as much as I wanted to," he added.

"This pre-season I came back almost refreshed, feeling really good, I didn't feel as tired coming into pre-season because I hadn't had that long 10-month season behind me.

"For me now it's to keep playing, keep playing as long as I can, as long as I'm helping a team, as long as I'm affecting things in the right way."

At 34 Edwards is realistic that he is closer to the end of his career then the beginning.

His current deal runs until the end of this season but he says he has no plans to retire yet.

"I've spoken to many players who have retired now and are still playing now, and for me it's to play as long as you can really," he said.

"I think as long as your body lets you, as long as you're helping the team and being a positive influence, as long as that's still there and as long as that hunger is still there.

"For me it's ramped up again this year because of missing so much last year, it's something that I'll hold on to and play as long as I can, as long as I'm fit and healthy and doing the job for the team."