Photo Credit: Ellie Woolstenholmes
Hereford FC supporters are full of confidence ahead of the 2023/24 season, with Paul Caddis adding another impressive name to his squad.
The name, known well locally for his time at Hereford United, is Andy Williams, who signs from Football League side Walsall.
Hereford FC confirmed that Andy William would be returning to Edgar Street in an article on the official club website earlier today.
‘Hereford FC are delighted to announce that ex-Hereford United striker, Andy Williams has agreed to sign for the Bulls from 1st July after the expiration of his contract at Walsall FC.
Hereford born and bred, ‘Willo’ started his career with the Bulls at Edgar Street making his mark on the Hereford side that won the play-off final against Halifax Town in 2006. After his departure from the street, Williams went on to have a fantastic career in the Football league playing for the likes of Bristol Rovers and Yeovil Town before his move to Swindon Town where he met the Bulls’ new boss, Paul Caddis.
Williams joins the club from League 2 side, Walsall where he made 30 appearances last season in all competitions for the Saddlers.
Speaking about his new signing, Bulls’ Manager, Paul Caddis, said:
“First and foremost, I think the capture of Andy Williams is a real coup for our football club and I genuinely believe that the support from everyone getting behind the season ticket sales and squad builder campaign has had a big impact on getting this done.
“The interest levels have been absolutely mind blowing considering we are only 5 weeks post season and 9 weeks before our opening game, and Andy has been very much aware of what has been going on.
“It goes without saying that I am delighted to see ‘Willo’ return to Edgar Street, the stadium where he started out on his long and established football league career. He truly has a connection to this city.
“Willo is an ex team-mate – and opponent – so I know what makes him tick and I know what his strengths are in terms of the threat he possesses to worry opposition teams.
“He has a hunger and drive like no other and a fitness level that he takes great pride and professionalism in. I’m sure a signing of his calibre from a League Two club – when he had other more lucrative full-time deals on offer – shows the supporters we aren’t standing still as a football club. Hereford FC is not here just to take part – we are here to progress.
“Willo will bring huge experience to our group having made just short of 700 senior appearances and will bring a high standard of professionalism which will raise the bar in training and on match days. I am overjoyed at attracting someone of Willo’s qualities and characteristics and cannot wait to see him pull on the Bulls’ shirt again.”
Matt Healey interviewed Andy Williams, as part of his ‘My Hereford United Story’ interviews with former players back in April 2021. Here is some of that interview:
Andy Williams was born in Hereford on the 14th August 1986. As a youngster he started playing football for Herefordshire village side Wellington. From there he played as a schoolboy at Aston Villa alongside Gary Cahill and Jamie Ward. He then moved to Birmingham City and Cheltenham Town, but hadn’t physically matured and this was affecting his football.
Williams told me “I was 15, but still tiny, my Dad is 6ft 3 and I think the clubs back then thought I would have a growth spurt, but it didn’t happen, so I came back to Hereford and played with my mates and joined up with the Hereford United Under 18’s which was connected to Holme Lacy College.
“The team was jointly run by my Dad Colin and former Hereford player Gary Stevens. This was around 2003 and Richard O’Kelly (Hereford Coach) started to take an interest in us.”
O’Kelly is currently working at Premier League Aston Villa and Williams acknowledges his influence early in his career.
“Richard invested a lot of time in me and I then started training once a week with the first team. I ended up signing my first professional contract and remember us losing to Aldershot on penalties in the Play Offs.”
The 2004/2005 would be his first season as a professional footballer. “I hardly featured. I played a couple of games in the GLS Cup and made my league debut as a sub against Northwich, but the majority of that era I was travelling to all the games and basically learning my trade. I was still having to clean the boots and help prepare meals on the team coach.”
You can read the full interview from April 2021 by visiting – MY HEREFORD UNITED STORY | Andy Williams – Herefordshire’s Independent Source of News & Information (yourherefordshire.co.uk)
