10:13am Thursday 4th December 2008
By Ian Morgan
WESTFIELDS’ new goalkeeper Gareth Williams has revealed he turned down possible moves to Liverpool and Chelsea.
That was eight years ago when the Ebbw Vale lad chose to link up with Southampton.
“When I was at Cardiff City, I had a couple of clubs looking at me,” recalled Williams.
“I had the chance to go to Liverpool and Chelsea but I chose Southampton because I knew Paul Jones from my involvement with the Wales youth teams.
“Paul was at Southampton at the time and, being a Welshman like me, Paul was my idol. Paul was very helpful to me when I was at Southampton.”
Williams signed a one-year YTS deal with Southampton and then a three-year professional contract.
“I trained with the reserves and the first-team squad, but I didn’t make the breakthrough. I was released when I was 19.
“I was only a young kid at the time and it hit me hard. I was living in Southampton so I moved back to Ebbw Vale.”
Williams, now 23, had a loan spell with Tiverton Town and played last season for Cwmbran Town.
“Due to work, I had to make a decision at the end of last season on whether to play football on Saturdays or work. I chose to knock the football on the head.”
Williams was contacted out of the blue by Westfields’ director of football, Sean Edwards, after an injury to the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, Jon Pugh.
“I was eager to get playing football again and I am looking to get back in the shop window.
“I am delighted that Westfields have given me the opportunity.”
Williams made his first-team debut for Westfields last Saturday in the 1-1 draw with Cradley Town.
“It seemed to go well,” he said. “I was ill for most of the night before the match and then I was ill straight after the match.
“I was pleased to get through the game OK.”
Williams was disappointed to concede a goal.
“I had the downward header covered but the striker came in front of me and his touch wrong-footed me,” he said.
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