Williams backs Terras to follow
the Shots
By Adam Summers
Saturday 10th May 2008
NEW-SIGNING Ryan Williams sees no reason why Weymouth cannot
emulate his former club Aldershot Town and one day win promotion
to the Football League.
The 29-year-old winger helped the Shots claim the Blue Square
Premier title last season and he believes everything is "geared
up" at the Terras to do the same in the coming years
under the management team of John Hollins and Alan Lewer.
Williams joined Town on a permanent deal in January 2006
and soon cemented a first-team place until he suffered a knee
injury in a pre-season friendly against Crystal Palace last
summer.
That setback virtually ruled him out of the Hampshire outfit's
entire Champion-ship campaign in which he ended up making
just one appearance at Halifax Town last month.
Reflecting on the past year, Williams said: "Obviously
it has been a great time at Aldershot but I had a knee injury
that kept me out for quite a while which was pretty tough.
"I came back and was involved quite a bit in the final
two months of the season but in football things change.
"Originally there was a deal on the table for me but they
then pulled it, explaining how they feel they have enough cover
in my position and need to free up some money.
"Of course that was a bit disappointing because everyone
wants to play in the League, particularly after having worked
so hard to get there, but at the end of the day I just want
to get back playing regular football.
"I recently came down and looked around Weymouth and
I instantly felt really welcome. As a footballer it is always
nice to feel wanted and there is no doubt that under John
and Alan everything is geared up here.
"I played under Alan for a month when I went to Forest
Green Rovers on loan from Bristol Rovers and I have a lot
of respect for him and John.
"They came here in difficult circumstances and have
turned things around and there is now no reason why we cannot
push on, and who knows, maybe even do the same that Aldershot
have done.
"The end of a season and the start of a new one signals
a fresh start for everyone and if John and Alan manage to
get in a few more of the players they are looking at then
we should have a cracking squad."
Williams has gained League experience with several clubs
including Bristol Rovers, Mansfield Town, Tranmere Rovers
and Chesterfield but he is now looking forward to life on
the south coast.
He added: "I have played down here at Weymouth a few
times and the one thing that has always struck me is how nice
the playing surface is, which suits me down to the ground
because I like to see football played in the right way.
"I have also been really impressed with the town itself.
It is absolutely gorgeous and when I came down to look around
I was made up.
"I am a northern boy and my family live up north so
I expect I will got home every other weekend. It means a bit
of travelling but we have got a lot of games up north anyway
so it should not be too bad.
"It is great that everything has been sorted and I now
cannot wait for the start of pre-season. Hopefully there are
some good times ahead."
