In over eight seasons at Ashton Gate, Edwards made 266 appearances and earned his first cap for Wales. On 8 August 1999 Edwards moved on a free to then League One side Preston North End, where he played an important role in Preston's title victory, and promotion to the second tier. On 1 July 2004, Edwards moved to League One side Blackpool where he made 69 appearances before being released on a free at the end of the 2005–06 season by manager Simon Grayson. He scored once during his spell at Blackpool, in a 2–1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in August 2004.