Ipswich defender George Edmundson has already won one award this season - and now wants to help his club get another trophy.
Edmundson, 25, has been voted League One’s Player in the Community for his work with Ipswich’s disability team as he has bought their kit, given them support and helped the club’s various projects. The EFL will decide on the overall winner - Rotherham United’s Hakeem Odoffin and Leyton Orient’s Omar Beckles won their respective division awards - at their annual awards dinner on Sunday.
There is a feel-good factor around promotion-chasing Ipswich who appear to be hitting form at the right time in a three-way struggle with Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday for two automatic places.
Edmundson believes the club is going places on and off the pitch as their commitment to their Foundation project also underlines the importance of EFL clubs in their community and why football can play such a vital role beyond the pitch.
Ipswich chief executive Mark Ashton makes it a condition when signing players that they get involved even if Edmundson did not need any persuading and even enjoys a little bit of East Anglian rivalry when it comes to community projects.
Edmundson said: “When you sign at Ipswich, Mark Ashton says that this is something you have to do. I’ve been at clubs where players don’t want to get involved but it’s part of signing for Ipswich Town.
“I did a few things with the community project and fell in love with the disability team. I could see they were turning up in Ipswich kits, but all sorts from last year, ten years ago and I wanted to help.
“Norwich have set up their community project really well and they always turn up smart and we sorted out the kit sizes, got the kit and I was happy to pick up the bill.
“When it came out, a few of the lads said they’d have happily done it with me and that shows the dressing room we have. Next year we’ll try and sort something as the whole team.”
Edmundson is a hugely popular member of the squad and, despite missing a chunk of the season through injury, believes Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna can lead them into the Championship and beyond.
He added: “I want to be part of the team on the pitch but I just want to cheer them on and encourage them. I’ll be the best cheerleader going. If we win every game we get promoted and that’s why we have to focus on ourselves.
“The owners have made it clear that they don’t just want promotion, a mid-table Championship team because they want to go even further. The gaffer is fantastic. He’s the best I’ve worked with, the way he talks about football, how he includes everybody and makes you feel part of it.”
