User:Cupcake92/Football/Players/Edward Redwood

Edward Michael Redwood (born 1 October 1985) is an English footballer who predominantly plays as a striker but can also play on the wings or even as an attacking midfielder. He plays his club football for Monsters FC and has represented England since 2003.

Earlier in his career, he was known as Ed Redwood. But soon after he changed to his given name Edward, "because it sounded better as it sort of rhymes with my last name," according to the man himself. "My friends still call me Ed, but I want the public to know me as Edward Redwood." He is also known by the nickname Redsy.

Early life and career
Born in Birkenhead, Merseyside to parents Jeff and Janet, Redwood moved with his family in nearby Widnes, Cheshire when he was young. He has two younger brothers James and Erik, the latter a footballer himself, and a sister called Alberta.

Redwood started playing football at the age of six.

The story of Redwood's rapid rise to international stardom is unlikely. He was spotted playing for his local Sunday League side Halton Spartans at age 16 when scouts of Merseyside Revolution FC (now Mighty Rats) spotted him. He scored five goals in one game in the summer of 2002, which was enough to convince Merseyside FC to sign him on a month-long trial.

Merseyside Revolution: 2002-03
He made his debut for the Revvos in August 2002, where he came on as a substitute and nearly scored, only denied by the woodwork. He continued to shine, but failed to score, but in September was awarded another month-long trial. Upon turning 17 on 1 October, and thus able to turn professional, he signed a three-year contract. He then finally scored his first professional goal in the October season finale against London United, "a 35-yard howitzer" as reporters described it.

He continued to play for Merseyside two months into the new season when in May 2003, London United announced their interest in Redwood.

London United: 2003-04
London United had been hot on Redwood's tail since he scored that goal against them in 2002. The highly-rated youngster was also persued by London Capitals, Nottingham Fire (now FC Nottingham) and Manchester Galaxy (now Rockers). In May 2003, he became Britain's most expensive teenager when for £15m, United signed Redwood.

Redwood initially failed to live up to the hype, with manager François Michalski playing him out of position on the right wing, thanks to the incumbent strike force of Mike Barry and Christophe Fernandez. But soon after Fernandez got injured, Redwood got his chance to play up front alongside his boyhood hero Barry. In August 2003, he scored his first goal for London United with a low shot just outside the penalty area against Cardiff Crew (now Dragons). He finished the season with eight goals (with two of them at Merseyside) when the season ended in October.

He started the 2004 season brightly scoring five goals in the first three games, but then suffered an ankle injury which kept him out for two weeks. He recovered, and scored two more goals, before being named in the England squad for his first international tournament, CSA EuroCup 2004.

London Capitals/FC London: 2004-05
Redwood had suffered a metatarsal injury at the EuroCup, and thus missed out on three months. London Capitals wanted to bring Redwood, but United angrily denied that Redwood would leave. However, Redwood said he wanted to leave, and became entangled in a verbal war with the club hierachy. Eventually on 10 August 2004, London Capitals finally got their man as Redwood, still unfit to play, signed for £18m.

The then 18-year-old Redwood finally made his Caps debut in September 2004 and stunned the world by scoring four goals against Cardiff Crew. Many people to this day this was the best debut anyone made for a new club ever. Redwood finished the season with thirteen goals (7 for United, 6 for the Caps).

London Capitals renamed FC London following the season, and Redwood started the season with six goals in the first two months, but things changed for the worse when the temperamental Redwood had an argument with the FC London manager.

Redwood stunned the world in mid-May 2005, when he handed in a transfer request. Ajax London, who were only competing in their first season, made an audacious bid for £13m, and Redwood stunned the footballing world even further on 31 May 2005 when he signed a contract with them.

Ajax London: 2005
It started well for Redwood when he scored five goals in his first four games with the club. But then a bust-up with the Ajax manager, meant he was fined two weeks' wages, and then he bothered not turning up for training. In a stunning turn of events, he said he wanted to leave the club immediately.

Back with FCL: 2005-07
FC London, now with a new manager, Bobby Hutchinson, at the helm, agreed a loan deal with Redwood on 17 July 2005, making Redwood the first player in MLF/BritLeague history to have two spells at one club in a single calendar year. He then won the MLF Championship for the first time when they beat London United in the final at Stamford Bridge.

Style of play
Redwood is often seen as one of the best footballers England has produced in the last several years. His preferred position is withdrawn striker, but he has also exceeded as an out-and-out striker and even as winger. Since joining the Monsters, he has usually played as a 'false number nine' where he is the centre of a three-man attack involving Craig Wisniewski and Billy Bernhardt, but drops in deep - as if he was playing in the 'hole' - as the defenders stay tight to him. He is a very good dribbler and can ride past tackles, making him a nightmare for defenders to deal with. Redwood is 6ft tall, and is very good at heading. He can also take set-pieces and, unusually for a striker, can also tackle well. He is preferred right-footed, but can also shoot equally well with his left. His clinical finishing has made him England's all-time top goalscorer.

Appearance
When he began his career, Redwood had short hair. Then when he joined London United he grew it long a little bit. This became even longer when joined London Capitals. In the 2006 World Cup, he sported a "caveman" look, long hair and full beard. After the tournament, he was clean shaven and cut his hair little bit but not that much. When he initially returned to London United, he caused confusion by dying his normally red hair blond, he reverted back to red in early 2008. Later that year, he had a dramatic makeover, clean shaven with short, spiky hair - a massive change from the usually long haired Redwood who usually sports facial hair. In the 2010 World Cup, he had a side-parting hairstyle with slight goatee beard. Since he joined the Monsters, the long hair has since returned.