Edwards pens new Pool deal

Blackpool defender Rob Edwards says playing in the top flight was the reason behind him signing a new contract.

Seasiders snare stopper for further 12 months

Blackpool centre-half Rob Edwards says the lure of playing in the top flight was the reason behind him signing a new contract at the club. Edwards has extended his stay at Bloomfield Road by a year after manager Ian Holloway guided them to the Premier League via the play-offs last season. Initially, Blackpool had opted against taking up the 12-month extension on the 27-year-old's deal. But the decision means the former Wolves player can mix it amongst the football elite with a further year available to the stopper at the end of next season. Edwards, a Wales international, admitted he did not hesitate to accept the offer. He told the Blackpool Gazette: "To be involved in the Premier League is the ultimate for any player. "That was a big pull in my decision to stay. It's good to end all of the speculation about whether I'm going to stay and I can now concentrate on the football. "There's never been any doubt that I've wanted to stay, though there has been that little bit of doubt hanging over us as a family and I'm glad all that is sorted now the family are settled in the area, my little one is in school and the wife is really settled. "Everything has fallen into place nicely here."