SQUAD NEWS: Jake Joins Reds
Quorn Football Club have secured the services of highly rated Australian youngster Jake Williams. The former Coalville Town goalkeeper arrives at Farley Way having been on the Reds radar last season, however Ryan Beswick has finally got his man this summer.
Born in Sydney, Australia, Jake took to “Soccer” at any age “I was three or four when I started playing, so don’t remember much, but my earliest memory was when my Dad bought me a football from Kmart. It had the Brazilian flag on it and remember playing with that in the garden all day until my foot went numb.
Williams arrived in Leicestershire to attend the prestigious Brooke House College, winning the ESFA Schools Cup and Small Schools Cup Finals at Stoke City’s Bet365 Stadium whilst there, as well as earning the opportunity to represent England Schools in the 2023 International School Sports Federation World Cup, which took place in Rabat, Morocco. “I was then scouted for trials at Luton Town, Lincoln Town and Burton Albion” revealed Williams, noting that although the Brewers took him on, they were ultimately unable to obtain FIFA clearance.
“It was still a great experience. I’ve been a Manchester United fan since seeing them play a match in Sydney a little over a decade ago. So, to play against their Academy at Carrington was a bit surreal. I was 15 or 16 at the time and I remember their Under 21s were training on the pitch next to us, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Maxi Oydele and Charlie McNeil, which was wild to me.”
Whilst still training with Burton Albion full time, Williams signed for Harborough Town, making his debut in a 0-0 draw with Boston Town in the FA Cup extra-preliminary round at just 16. Later that same season, Jake featured in a couple of FA Trophy matches, including a 2-1 victory over Leicestershire rivals Shepshed Dynamo. However, despite continuing to impress, and earning a trial with Northampton Town, Williams remained behind former Beswick teammate Elliot Taylor in the pecking order, so moved on to find regular first team football.
After half a season at Leicester Nirvana, Williams signed at Owen Street, staying with the Ravens for 18 months. Still only 20, Jake already has over 120 games of adult football experience. “Yes, leaving Australia at such an early age was pretty difficult. A lot of people talk about it, but not that many actually go through with it, so I think that really toughened me up and gave me the confidence to tackle anything.”
Williams has already been in preseason action with the Methodists, playing a half against each of Barwell and Matlock Town. The Antipodean gave his thoughts on signing for Quorn. “I could tell from training here a bit last season, and especially during this preseason, that it’s a great place to play football. It’s a well ran club with great people around the place and in the changing room. Obviously, Bez is a top gaffa as well as Adam Smith being a great ‘keeper coach, so I’m really looking forward to not only working with them, but the rest of the coaching staff as a whole.”
“I’m not one to start looking at things too far in advance, right now I’m just focused on getting as sharp as I can for the start of the season. It’s going to be a tough season, but we’re not just here to make up the numbers.”
Welcome to Farley Way Jake.
