ONE-TIME Fareham Town and Newport IoW manager Derek Edwards has died after a long illness.

A Portsmouth youth player in his early days, Edwards went on to become an accomplished defender, playing a lead role when Leigh Park lifted the FA Sunday Cup in 1969.

He went on to become a successful manager, primarily at Bognor Regis Town and Newport.

His funeral is at Portchester Crematorium on Friday (March 1) at 11am.