‘Rolls-Royce’ defender is prime example of Paul Cook’s Chesterfield methods
Williams, 29, joined Chesterfield from Solihull Moors for a fee in November 2021 when James Rowe was manager.
When Cook returned to the club in February 2022 Williams had to be patient, starting just two of 11 games, before getting a run in the side as the Spireites just about secured a play-off place but lost to Solihull in the semi-finals.
At the start of last season Williams started 19 of the first 20 league matches, before a defeat at Halifax and the arrival of Ash Palmer, saw him not start any of the next 11, including not being in the squad five times. He then came back in for five successive starts, but a 1-1 draw at home to Yeovil Town on March 11 was the last we saw of him as Palmer and Chesterfield finished third before suffering Wembley heartache.
Whether missing out on a chance to play at Wembley was a wake-up call for Williams, who knows, but a change in his physique was noticeable right from the start of pre-season. He looked fitter, stronger, quicker, taller, sharper.
And this season he is reaping the rewards of what must have been a lot of hard work in the summer. He has made 17 appearances and he is yet to experience defeat.
His performances have been described by some fans as like a ‘Rolls-Royce.’ The centre-back’s improvement on the ball is evident and his one-on-one defending has gone up several notches. It is why he has recently been rewarded with a new contract until summer 2025.
