29-year-old winger Ed Williams returned to Gloucester City AFC this summer following their relegation to the Southern League Premier South, in an attempt to help get them straight back up into the sixth tier.
“It feels very good (to be back), obviously it does feel like home a little bit. I was absent for four or five years, but I’ve returned home to familiar faces and I’m happy with how things are going.
“It has been a good start, we’re top of the league at the minute after the weekend where we got the last minute winner, so yeah morale is high in the dressing room and everything is feeling good”.
Looking forward to getting started and seeing some familiar faces! 🐯❤️ https://t.co/9XdNUc9dfD
— Ed Williams (@EdWilliams_95) June 7, 2024
Gloucester have started the season excellently, winning seven from their opening 10 league fixtures.
Their 2-1 win at home to Havant and Waterlooville, who like Gloucester got relegated last season, was a big win as it saw them rise above Merthyr Town who they also beat earlier this season and to the top of the table.
Hanks the hero again as City take 3 points and move to the 🔝
— Gloucester City AFC (@GCAFCofficial) October 12, 2024
.#gcafc #tigercity pic.twitter.com/l5KkewuMMi
Williams began his career at Cheltenham Town but never made a senior appearance for the Robins. Instead, the midfielder has played for a number for clubs across non-league, but also Doncaster Rovers in Sky Bet League One and even Rochester New York out in the United States.
But, despite all that he has achieved, Williams is ambitious to get Gloucester back to where they belong.
“I think our aim is promotion, whether that is play-offs or winning the league, promotion is our aim.
“But as we know, it’s a very long season and it’s still early days. Yes, we’re in a good position at the minute and as long as we can stay in and around it, I think that will be really positive and then we’ll see where we are come the end of the season”.
In the prime of his career, Williams was known for getting into the box and scoring goals from midfield.
The former England-C player scored 14 times in 61 appearances for Kidderminster Harriers, who signed him following his 14 goals in 89 appearances during his first stint with Gloucester.
— Ed Williams (@EdWilliams_95) July 26, 2023
“I’m yet to score, so I’d like to add some more goals to my game.
“But in general, I just want to be a more influential player in the team and provide assists and create chances and obviously score goals. But, as long as the team are winning, my main aim is to help the boys get promoted – I think that would be top of everyone’s lists, it would be massive”.
Tomorrow evening Gloucester take on newly promoted Frome Town who have struggled since their promotion to the seventh tier, and are currently sat in the relegation zone.
However, Williams is experienced enough to know that no team can be underestimated at any level.
“Every team is competitive in our league and as long as we have the same mindset going into games, whether we’re playing top of the league, or teams in and around the bottom – everyone is going to provide a challenge and it’s about how we overcome that.
“I think that the sign of a strong winning team is that when you’re playing against the teams that are down there, to have the same mindset and attitude to try and get three points”.