Post by Adam Hussein on Mar 3, 2015 18:02:02 GMT
Weston-super-Mare add tributes paid to former Coach David Williams.
David Williams
01/03/42-23/02/15.
The recently formed Weston-super-Mare F. C. Independent Supporters Association have added their tributes to those paid to former Coach David Williams who passed away following a short illness last Monday.
Williams 72, followed then Manager John Relish to Woodspring Park in 1998 and was to spend four seasons with the Seagulls as a trusted lieutenant to the amiable Liverpudlian.
I. S. A. Spokesperson Sean Burke said "Dai was all about the players. Wanting to do what was best for them and give them the best conditions in which to play. Weston-super-Mare F. C. Independent Supporters Association would like to offer their condolences to his friends and family."
Club Legend Jody Bevan, 36, now Assistant Manager at Cirencester Town, was top scorer during Williams's time at the club and remembered with fondness the training sessions he held in the club house at the club's former ground saying: "Dai was an absolute legend. He always gave you bits of advice to improve your game. I will always remember the training sessions he put on, on the small dance floor at the old ground."
Born at Ilfton Street behind the Black Horse pub in Newport, it was with his beloved County that Williams was to spend the majority of his career, being rewarded with a testimonial against Cardiff City in April 1969, and being inducted in to the club's hall of fame on the 18th of September 2009.
So much more than just a former player of the club, Williams gave almost a lifetime of dedication to the Exiles.
Initially joining the ground staff at Newport County and signing a deal to play for Nash United, Williams would join Newport County and make his debut in the 1960/61 season, playing as an outside left.
Williams was moved to right back in 1965, but estimates he played nearly every position for the Ironsiders under managers such as Billy Lucas, Bobby Evans and Les Graham.
David played under, or worked with, 13 managers during his tenure with County, and rated Billy Lucas, Len Ashurst (another former Weston Manager) and Colin Addison as the best of the bunch, with Keith Oakes rating as his greatest ever teammate.
David retired from playing in 1973 and went to work at Llanwern, playing for - and at times managing - Spencer Works for two seasons.
In 1976, he was contacted by Jimmy Scoular and went back to Newport to manage the reserves, promptly winning the SA Brain Cup.
David’s coaching duties were extended to include the first team in the following years and he was a familiar touchline figure for fans during the golden period that saw Newport promoted, winning the Welsh Cup twice, and, of course, their famous European run.
By 1987/88, with the County on the brink of financial meltdown, Williams even stepped in as manager, standing down to become trainer when Eddie May arrived.
When things went bad and Jerry Sherman attempted to ride off into the sunset with the club now wound up, Williams was involved with the new Newport AFC, acting as a trainer and a director:
“I was keen to get involved, I didn’t want the town not to have a football team,” he recalled in the book Look Back in Amber.
Latterly, David was involved with the Welsh senior football team as a kit man, joining the set-up for a friendly against Jamaica in 1998 and remaining in position until his sad passing. The Welsh F.A. said: "His loss will be felt as acutely by players such as Ryan Giggs and Gareth Bale as it is by Newport County fans and staff from the past fifty years."
At the time of writing no arrangements had been made for the funeral.
With thanks to Simon Stephens. wsmfcest1948@hotmail.com.
David Williams
01/03/42-23/02/15.
The recently formed Weston-super-Mare F. C. Independent Supporters Association have added their tributes to those paid to former Coach David Williams who passed away following a short illness last Monday.
Williams 72, followed then Manager John Relish to Woodspring Park in 1998 and was to spend four seasons with the Seagulls as a trusted lieutenant to the amiable Liverpudlian.
I. S. A. Spokesperson Sean Burke said "Dai was all about the players. Wanting to do what was best for them and give them the best conditions in which to play. Weston-super-Mare F. C. Independent Supporters Association would like to offer their condolences to his friends and family."
Club Legend Jody Bevan, 36, now Assistant Manager at Cirencester Town, was top scorer during Williams's time at the club and remembered with fondness the training sessions he held in the club house at the club's former ground saying: "Dai was an absolute legend. He always gave you bits of advice to improve your game. I will always remember the training sessions he put on, on the small dance floor at the old ground."
Born at Ilfton Street behind the Black Horse pub in Newport, it was with his beloved County that Williams was to spend the majority of his career, being rewarded with a testimonial against Cardiff City in April 1969, and being inducted in to the club's hall of fame on the 18th of September 2009.
So much more than just a former player of the club, Williams gave almost a lifetime of dedication to the Exiles.
Initially joining the ground staff at Newport County and signing a deal to play for Nash United, Williams would join Newport County and make his debut in the 1960/61 season, playing as an outside left.
Williams was moved to right back in 1965, but estimates he played nearly every position for the Ironsiders under managers such as Billy Lucas, Bobby Evans and Les Graham.
David played under, or worked with, 13 managers during his tenure with County, and rated Billy Lucas, Len Ashurst (another former Weston Manager) and Colin Addison as the best of the bunch, with Keith Oakes rating as his greatest ever teammate.
David retired from playing in 1973 and went to work at Llanwern, playing for - and at times managing - Spencer Works for two seasons.
In 1976, he was contacted by Jimmy Scoular and went back to Newport to manage the reserves, promptly winning the SA Brain Cup.
David’s coaching duties were extended to include the first team in the following years and he was a familiar touchline figure for fans during the golden period that saw Newport promoted, winning the Welsh Cup twice, and, of course, their famous European run.
By 1987/88, with the County on the brink of financial meltdown, Williams even stepped in as manager, standing down to become trainer when Eddie May arrived.
When things went bad and Jerry Sherman attempted to ride off into the sunset with the club now wound up, Williams was involved with the new Newport AFC, acting as a trainer and a director:
“I was keen to get involved, I didn’t want the town not to have a football team,” he recalled in the book Look Back in Amber.
Latterly, David was involved with the Welsh senior football team as a kit man, joining the set-up for a friendly against Jamaica in 1998 and remaining in position until his sad passing. The Welsh F.A. said: "His loss will be felt as acutely by players such as Ryan Giggs and Gareth Bale as it is by Newport County fans and staff from the past fifty years."
At the time of writing no arrangements had been made for the funeral.
With thanks to Simon Stephens. wsmfcest1948@hotmail.com.