Toby Edser
{{Short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Toby Edser
|image = Toby Edser (cropped).jpg
|caption = Toby Edser playing for Ebbsfleet United in 2022
|fullname = Toby George Edser{{cite web|title=Retained List 2016–17|url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-released-and-retained-list---2016-17.pdf|publisher=English Football League|accessdate=13 June 2017}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|2|28|df=y}}{{cite web |title=FootballSquads – Port Vale – 2018/2019 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2018-2019/fltwo/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021}}
|birth_place = Guildford, England
|position = Midfielder
|currentclub = Ebbsfleet United
|clubnumber = 17
|youthyears1 =
|youthclubs1 = Guildford Saints
|youthyears2 = 2007–2014
|youthclubs2 = Fulham
|youthyears3 = 2014–2015
|youthclubs3 = Charlton Athletic
|youthyears4 = 2015–2018
|youthclubs4 = Nottingham Forest
|years1 = 2018–2020
|clubs1 = Nottingham Forest
|caps1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2018
|clubs2 = → Woking (loan)
|caps2 = 11
|goals2 = 2
|years3 = 2019
|clubs3 = → Port Vale (loan)
|caps3 = 0
|goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2019
|clubs4 = → Woking (loan)
|caps4 = 13
|goals4 = 1
|years5 = 2020–2022
|clubs5 = Aldershot Town
|caps5 = 62
|goals5 = 5
|years6 = 2022–
|clubs6 = Ebbsfleet United
|caps6 = 117
|goals6 = 12
|club-update = 20:16, 13 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Toby George Edser (born 28 February 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{English football updater|EbbsfleU}} club Ebbsfleet United.
Edser began his senior career at Nottingham Forest and spent time on loan at Woking and Port Vale. He never played a first-team game with Nottingham Forest and joined Aldershot Town after being released in June 2020. He joined Ebbsfleet United after two seasons with Aldershot and helped Ebbsfleet to win the National League South title at the end of the 2022–23 season.
Early and personal life
Edser is from Burpham and attended George Abbot School.
Career
=Nottingham Forest=
Edser was spotted by Fulham playing for the Guildford Saints as an eight-year-old and was signed to the club's Academy until his release at age 15. He was then an associated schoolboy at Charlton Athletic before he signed a two-year scholarship at Nottingham Forest in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/teams/under-23s/midfielder/toby-edser/|title=Profile|accessdate=31 January 2019|publisher=Nottingham Forest F.C.}} He helped Forest's under-18 team to win their league and reach the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup during the 2015–16 season. He went on to captain the under-23 side the following season and was an unused substitute for the first-team in the Championship, first appearing on the bench at the City Ground in October 2016; it was reported that he was expected to have made his senior debut had Mark Warburton's side not taken until the final day of the season to secure safety from relegation.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Paul |title=Edser hoping to follow in footsteps of Worrall and Brereton at Forest |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/toby-edser-hopes-earn-nottingham-187180 |accessdate=3 February 2019 |work=Nottingham Post |date=11 July 2017}}{{cite news |title=Nottingham Forest 1–2 Cardiff City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37663390 |accessdate=3 February 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2016}} He went on to sign a new three-year contract,{{Cite web|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/toby-edser-star-come-nottingham-311335|title=Toby Edser is 'star to come' at Nottingham Forest|first=James|last=Pallatt|date=11 August 2017|website=NottinghamshireLive}} but found breaking into the first-team more difficult during the 2017–18 season due to an influx of midfielders signed in the summer.{{cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Barry |title=Forest teenager Toby Edser open to loan move to become a 'better player' |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/highly-rated-nottingham-forest-teenager-698138 |accessdate=3 February 2019 |work=Nottingham Post |date=30 October 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Paul |title=Forest's philosophy gives Edser hope he will get a chance under Warburton |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/nottingham-forests-philosophy-gives-edser-414549 |accessdate=3 February 2019 |work=Nottingham Post |date=1 September 2017}}
On 19 October 2018, he joined National League South side Woking on a one-month loan deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/woking-loanee-ready-prove-hes-15298363|title=Woking loanee ready to 'kick on' his career after Nottingham Forest switch|date=19 October 2018|accessdate=31 January 2019|author=Clive Youlter|publisher=Get Surrey}} He made his debut for the "Cardinals" at the Kingfield Stadium the next day, helping his new team to beat Welling United 1–0 in the fourth qualification round of the FA Cup.{{cite web |last1=Stobbart |first1=Dan |title=Woking Football Club {{!}} First Team {{!}} Match Centre {{!}} Woking 1 – 0 Welling United |url=http://www.wokingfc.co.uk/first-team/match/530/ |website=www.wokingfc.co.uk |accessdate=3 February 2019}} After his loan was extended he scored his first goal for the club on 24 November, in a 2–0 victory over Folkestone Invicta in the third qualification round of the FA Trophy to secure the "Cards" a place in the first round proper of the competition.{{cite news |title=Edser stars as Woking cruise {{!}} Woking News and Mail |url=http://www.wokingnewsandmail.co.uk/edser-stars-as-woking-cruise/ |accessdate=3 February 2019 |work=Woking News & Mail |date=27 November 2018}} Woking went on to cause a cup upset in the second round proper of the FA Cup, knocking out League Two side Swindon Town at the County Ground.{{cite news |title=Forest midfielder Toby Edser helps Woking spring FA Cup shock |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/nottingham-forest-midfielder-toby-edser-2283819 |accessdate=3 February 2019 |work=Nottingham Post |date=2 December 2018}} He scored a total of four goals in 19 appearances for Alan Dowson's Woking. On 31 January 2019, he joined League Two club Port Vale on loan until the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47075498|title=Port Vale: Kyle Howkins, Callum Whelan and Toby Edser join on loan|date=31 January 2019|accessdate=31 January 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}
He returned on loan to Woking in August 2019, who were now playing in the National League.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/6726/toby-edser-returns/|title=Toby Edser returns|website=Woking FC Official Site}} He later said he regretted leaving Woking after his first spell.{{Cite web|url=https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/woking-football-clubs-dynamic-nottingham-16832461|title=Toby Edser is back to loving life with Cards as he cracks winner|first=Stephen|last=Page|date=29 August 2019|website=SurreyLive}} He was released by Nottingham Forest at the end of the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |title=Retained list 2020 |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/202021/efl-professional-retain-list---2019-20.pdf |website=efl.com |accessdate=27 September 2020}}
=Aldershot Town=
On 18 September 2020, Edser signed with National League side Aldershot Town and said, "I'm really happy; it's been a bit stressful over the last few months".{{cite news |title=NEW SIGNING: Shots Sign Edser! {{!}} Aldershot Town FC |url=https://www.theshots.co.uk/new-signing-shots-sign-edser/ |accessdate=27 September 2020 |date=18 September 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Pallatt |first1=James |title=Former Forest prospect Edser has a new club |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/stressful-former-nottingham-forest-prospect-4530947 |accessdate=27 September 2020 |work=NottinghamshireLive |date=19 September 2020}} He scored four goals in 43 league appearances in the 2020–21 season and was re-signed for another year.{{cite news |title=Searle continues to build squad to fire Shots ahead |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/aldershot-news-mail/20210630/281870121416802 |access-date=21 May 2022 |via=PressReader |date=30 June 2021}} However, he missed two months of the 2021–22 campaign with injury, marking his return to fitness in January with a goal in a 1–1 draw with Maidenhead United at the Recreation Ground.{{cite news |title=Aldershot Town 1-1 Maidenhead United: Comeback kid Edser on hand to save Shots |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/step-1/national-league/416193/aldershot-town-1-1-maidenhead-united-comeback-kid-edser-on-hand-to-save-shots/ |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=The Non-League Football Paper |date=9 January 2022}}
=Ebbsfleet United=
In July 2022, he signed for National League South side Ebbsfleet United following a trial.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/edser-prise-as-trialist-a-signs-for-season/|title=Edser-prise as 'Trialist A' signs for season}}{{cite web | url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/sport/trialist-a-lands-ebbsfleet-deal-270925/ | title='Trialist A' lands Ebbsfleet deal | date=27 July 2022 }} He scored twelve goals from 47 appearances in the 2022–23 season, including a hat-trick in a final day 5–0 win over Hungerford Town at Stonebridge Road.{{cite news |last1=Panting |first1=Matthew |title='I saw from the first day he's an outstanding footballer' |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/sport/i-saw-from-the-first-day-he-s-an-outstanding-footballer-286245/ |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=Kent Online |date=30 April 2023 |language=en}} Ebbsfleet won the National League South title, setting a club record of 32 wins and 109 goals.{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Ed |title=Fleet 5-0 Hungerford Town |url=https://www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/fleet-5-0-hungerford-town/ |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=Ebbsfleet United Football Club {{!}} Official Website of the Fleet |date=29 April 2023}} He then featured 39 times in the 2023–24 season. He played 37 league games in the 2024–25 campaign as Ebbsfleet were relegated with seven games left to play.{{cite news |title=Aldershot Town 3-3 Ebbsfleet United: Match report |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c9q4378j0xwt |access-date=13 May 2025 |work=BBC Sport |ref=22 March 2025}}
Style of play
Edser has been described by the Port Vale club website as "a talented playmaker with a strong technical ability".{{cite web |last1=McLellan |first1=Max |title=Toby Edser signs on loan for the Vale |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2019/january/toby-edser-signs-on-loan-for-the-vale/ |website = Port Vale F.C. |accessdate=3 February 2019 |language=en-gb}} The Nottingham Forest club website stated that "his intelligence on the ball allows him to dictate play wherever he is on the field".{{cite web |title=Toby Edser – Midfielder – Under 23s – Nottingham Forest |url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/teams/under-23s/midfielder/toby-edser/ |website=www.nottinghamforest.co.uk |accessdate=3 February 2019}} He has described himself as "quite a leader on the pitch".{{cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Barry |title=Forest youngster Toby Edser relishing chance to play football for Woking |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/highly-rated-nottingham-forest-youngster-2126293 |accessdate=3 February 2019 |work=Nottingham Post |date=19 October 2018}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 5 May 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Nottingham Forest
|2018–19{{Soccerbase season|id=98360|season=2018|accessdate=1 July 2018}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Woking (loan)
|2018–19{{Soccerway|toby-edser/467115}}{{cite web |title=Woking Football Club {{!}} First Team {{!}} League Table & Stats 2018/19 |url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/first-team/table/ |website=www.wokingfc.co.uk |accessdate=3 February 2019}} |11 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4{{efn|Appearance(s) in the FA Trophy and the Surrey Senior Cup.}} | 2 | 19 | 4 | |
| Port Vale (loan)
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Woking (loan)
|13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | |
| rowspan="4"|Aldershot Town
|National League |43 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3{{Efn|name=fat|Appearance(s) in the FA Trophy.}} | 1 | 47 | 4 | |
| 2021–22
|National League |19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1{{Efn|name=fat}} | 0 | 21 | 2 | |
| 2022–23
|National League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!62 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 68 | 6 | |
| rowspan="4"|Ebbsfleet United
|National League South |43 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1{{Efn|name=fat}} | 0 | 47 | 12 | |
| 2023–24
|National League |37 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1{{Efn|name=fat}} | 0 | 39 | 1 | |
| 2024–25
|National League |37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{Efn|name=fat}} | 0 | 38 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!117 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 124 | 13 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!203 | 20 | 11 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 224 | 30 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Ebbsfleet United
References
{{reflist}}
{{Ebbsfleet United F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Edser, Toby}}
Category:Footballers from Guildford
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Charlton Athletic F.C. players
Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Aldershot Town F.C. players
Category:Ebbsfleet United F.C. players