By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie
Ben Williams says he is delighted to be back at Ashington – after signing for the Colliers at the end of last week on loan from Gateshead until January.
The 19 year old was a big hit with supporters at Woodhorn Lane last season which was confirmed when they named him as their ‘Player of the year’ at the awards ceremony and he was rewarded in the summer when the Vanarama National League side offered him a professional contract.
Newcastle-born Williams said: “I was in the 19’s programme with Gateshead last year whilst obviously playing here at Ashington where I thought I did quite well so to get the contract was a pleasing thing for me. I got the supporters player of the year (at Ashington) and was really pleased because it was my first season in proper men’s football. The award gave me the knowledge that I did have a good season and that I wanted to keep going and kick on.”
He continued: “I was told that I would spent the first half of pre season with Gateshead but with the depth of the squad they have got then probably go out on loan. It means I should get 90 minutes into my legs every week and develop that way whilst obviously still training every day with Gateshead.”
Williams – who is based in Bedlington – initially went out on loan to Northern Premier League Premier Division side Workington and he said: “I wanted to see what it was like to play in the league above Ashington’s – I had to give it a go. When the loan finished a couple of clubs came in for me in the NPL East Division but I said if I was going to come back into this league I wanted to return to Ashington where I had enjoyed my football last season. I thought it was only right – and I’m delighted to be back. They have got a top set of lads at the club and it feels as if I’ve never been away because I’ve fitted in really well again.”
Williams was in the starting line up for Ashington’s home match against Sherwood Colliery on Saturday which the Colliers lost 1-0: “The result obviously wasn’t the one we wanted today,” added the central defender, “I thought there were some good things in the game today and things which we could have done better. We’ve got to finish chances especially when you are only getting beat 1-0 and you feel as though you have done well defensively. I know it is putting the emphasis on the strikers and the attacking players to grab the goals that will win us the game – and that didn’t materialise today – but hopefully we can put it right on Tuesday night when we are at home against Sheffield.”