For Joe Edwards, the Devon Derby has some mixed memories.
His first was one of our worst. In late October, 2019, Joe was part of Ryan Lowe’s team that were humbled 4-0 at St James Park. The curtailment of the season because of Covid-19 meant there was no return game that season. Ultimately, Argyle were promoted that season, so things worked out, but the specific result hanging over the Greens lasted a while.
It was October 2022 when the sides met again, on a glorious Home Park evening – from a sporting perspective, not the tempestuousness of the climate - where a television audience saw the Greens win a classic by four goals to two.
Later that season, the football fayre was far more forgetful, but the result, with Matt Butcher scoring to make it 1-0 to Argyle, six games from the end of a title-winning campaign, will long stay in the memory. As will the sight of captain Edwards, leading his team-mates towards the away end in celebration.
While his previous two games against Exeter have yielded reminiscences that will be among Joe’s fondest, that has the potential to be topped on Thursday night.
Should he play, when Argyle meet Exeter at St James’ Park this week, it would be Joe’s 250th game as a Pilgrim. This is not something which occurs regularly, especially in the modern game. Edwards will become the 46th person, out of 1,218 to have played for the Greens, to reach such a landmark. Perhaps more notable, he will become only the fifth to rack up 250 games this century, after Paul Wotton, Luke McCormick, Romain Larrieu and Gary Sawyer.
As you might expect, he is relishing the chance to bring up such a milestone on such an occasion. It is also little surprise that he is fully aware of the position a Devon Derby holds in the club’s firmament.
“I’ve touched on it with the boys this week,” Joe told Argyle TV. “Playing in these games - you can become a hero. There are players that haven’t played many games for Argyle, but have still got a really good name and are brought up because they’ve scored in these games and won these games.
“It’s a chance to become a hero, and you want to be on the right side of it, so we have to prepare fully for it. We know how important it is, for the league table, and for the club.
“I think it’s a fantastic game to come into at this stage. They are massive games for everyone: for ourselves, for the fanbase, for the city. We relish that.
“For me, personally, it’s something I look forward to. They are the fixtures you look at when they come out in June. It’s another game to get three points, which we both need, and that will be the main focus.
“I’ve been on both sides of it. When you are on the good side, it’s one of the best feelings you’ll have. [You have to] relish it, enjoy it, and give everything you can.
“[Losing 4-0] was horrible, I hated it. One of the worst moments in my time here. It sticks with you. Having the experience of that helps. It’s not a good feeling to lose games anyway, but the way we did there was not a nice feeling.
“Derby games are full of energy and enthusiasm, and can be cagey at times. We’ll be going into it with a focused mentality, knowing what it means, and what everyone expects from us. We’ve got to go there, give 100%, show our best selves, and hope for a positive result.
“Every game I’ve played, I’ve relished the chance to play for this fantastic club. To get to 250 would be amazing; to get to 250 in a Devon Derby is something special. If I can play, and come out of it on the good side, it will be one of my favourite memories of this club.
“I love playing for this club; I always have, and I hope I show that when I play. I’ll always give 100%, I’ll always try my hardest.
“My biggest feeling going into these games - every game at the minute - is not only to look after the squad, but I have a responsibility to the city and to the club. It’s something I enjoy, and it is really important. It keeps the drive in me to keep playing, and to keep helping this club. It’s a big job of mine that everyone realises what we are doing it for, and who we are doing it for.
“I’m lucky to able to have played 250 games for this club. I’m incredibly proud. To be the captain of the club, and to play this many games, I feel immense pride.”
