Former Wales international Andy Williams ready for new Luctonians challenge (From Hereford Times)

Former Wales international Andy Williams ready for new Luctonians challenge

3:30pm Wednesday 20th June 2012 in Sport

HEAD coach Andy Williams is determined to put his stamp on Luctonians’ play next season.

The former Wales and Worcester Warriors’ scrum-half said his first year at the helm was a valuable experience.

The Mortimer Park men had a fine second National League Two North campaign but missed out on a play-off spot.

“I am looking forward to the new season and putting my own stamp on things,”

said Williams.

“I have had my first year at the club and that was my learning process.

“I have ideas that I would like to introduce and, with that, comes responsibility.

“I think the boys definitely got a taste for the league as we pushed for that playoff spot.”

Luctonians open their league campaign at Stockport on September 1 and then host Bromsgrove seven days later.

Birmingham and Solihull, Stourbridge, Dudley Kingswinford and Darlington Mowden Park are among the new challenges facing Luctonians this term.

Williams hopes to start pre-season with Luctonians’ first-team squad in the next couple of weeks.

“We will be getting the rugby balls in the players’ hands and working on some fitness,” Williams added.

“A lot of the lads are farmers and are as fit as fiddles anyway, so the fitness levels should be there.

“We all want to be pushing for promotion and we will be pulling in the same direction.

“The whole season changed in the last minute of our home game against Loughborough which we lost.

“I was pleased because we were consistent throughout the season and that’s what it’s about in league competition.

“We will be trying to hit our targets again this time and, hopefully, we will be pushing for promotion.”

The Welshman made some appearances for Luctonians last term but says his coaching duties will come first.

“I want to get myself in good shape but my role will mainly be coaching,” said Williams.

“We’ve got some very talented young players — so I think I will be sticking with the coaching.”

He ran the London Marathon in April and crossed the finishing line in a little more than four hours.

“The London Marathon is the hardest thing I have ever done and I hope to do it again one day,” he said.

National League Two North: LUCTONIANS, Birmingham and Solihull, Stourbridge, Dudley Kingswinford, Otley, Huddersfield, Caldy, Hull Ionians, Sheffield Tigers, Hull RUFC, Bromsgrove, Preston Grasshoppers, Darlington Mowden Park, Stockport, Westoe, Leicester Lions.