PICTURE by Edryd Jones.
IF YOU follow AFEFootballNews on Facebook (which you should do if you’re here!), you will have seen this series pop up in the past – however, I’m now going to be publishing it onto the website itself too.
The first to feature is non other than Bro Goronwy legend and current Cemaes Bay forward Andy Williams.
The veteran striker may just be approaching 40 by now, but nevertheless is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down as he hit another 19 goals in all competitions as the Bay took the Anglesey League title and the season came to an abrupt end.
Williams (above) first made a name for himself at Cemaes’ arch-rivals Amlwch Town, having transferred there from then Sunday League side Pentraeth. He went on to hit 145 goals in just five seasons at Lon Bach under manager Nigel Ault during a successful part of the club’s history.
But it could be argued that it was during his time at Bro Goronwy that Williams, really became a well-known figure on the local footballing scene. He made the switch to Cemaes from Bro last season, but it is still at Cae Nerys that he will always be held in high regard by all involved there.
Having turned from being a winger into a forward as a 33-year-old in 2014/15, it turned out to be one of the best decisions both Williams and the club could have possibly made. After that campaign, he went on to bang in 106 goals.
His full record at Bro was:
2010/11 – 18 goals in 22 apps
2011/12 – 8 goals in 23 apps
2012/13 – 5 goals in 18 apps
2014/15 – 12 goals in 17 apps
2015/16 – 41 goals in 26 apps
2016/17 – 23 goals in 23 apps
2017/18 – 27 goals in 27 apps
2018/19 – 15 goals in 21 apps
Total = 149 goals in 177 apps
Those stats prove that Williams is undoubtedly one of the best forwards to grace the island in the last decade and to still be scoring so freely well into his thirties just highlights the character of the man.
As mentioned above, he’s been a key player for Cemaes this season as the club won the Anglesey League, finishing as their second top scorer on 19 goals behind the prolific Steven Whittaker who bagged 39 in all competitions. The striker’s experience proved to be a vital component as it spurred the younger member of the teams on to glory.
Next season, should he stay on at Cemaes, he’ll be reunited with a familiar face – Lee Potter – who was his manager for several seasons at Bro Goronwy and will be taking charge of Cemaes with Darren Thomas and Alan Gray in 2020/21.
Williams is a top player and a top man too as I’m sure anyone who knows him will testify. I hope he’s got quite a few years left in him yet!
AFEFootballNews 