 Edwards was born in Hessle, Humberside, and began his football career as a trainee with Hull City.Primarily a centre back, he made his debut on 28 December 1997 in the Division Three game away to Rotherham United which Hull lost 5–4, but did not turn professional until the end of the 1997–98 season.By the time he left the club in March 2003, he was their longest-serving player, though still only 22 years old, and had played 208 games in all first-team competitions.