JOE: I FEEL LIKE I’M A TEENAGER

Championship

JOE EDWARDS savoured the best moment of his career after guiding Plymouth to safety – and leaving Hull’s play-off hopes in tatters.

The Plymouth skipper headed a 40th-minute winner to extend his side’s stay in the Championship.

Edwards, 33, said he felt like a teenager again as he inspired the Pilgrims to a final-day escape that sentenced Birmingham to relegation. “It was win or bust as we knew everyone around us would win,” the defender said.

“We worked tirelessly last year to get into the Championship and worked so hard this season to stay here. For it to go down to the last day wasn’t how we planned it but these are the days that you never forget.

“It has been a rollercoaster of emotions this season. We had a fantastic start to the season, a tough middle, and a glorious end.

“When you are playing in front of that atmosphere, something comes over you and you feel like a teenager again.”

Edwards (above) scored the winner at Port Vale on the final day of last season as Plymouth clinched the League One title. But he admits his towering header from a Callum Wright cross eclipsed last season’s achievement.

He added: “I didn’t think last year could ever be beaten but this is the best feeling I have ever had in football. We were already promoted last season whereas this was the goal that kept us in the division. I can’t explain the feeling, it is phenomenal.”

Hull’s first defeat in seven games combined with West Brom cruising past Preston meant Liam Rosenior’s side finished in seventh, out of the play-offs.

Tigers skipper Lewie Coyle said: “We are absolutely gutted as we had a dream to get in the playoffs and go up.

“As captain of my home-town club, it is a dream that I will never stop chasing.

“It will take some time to digest as it is a difficult one to take.

“We need to regroup, learn the lessons of this season and go