New captain's rollercoaster ride

By Neil Prior
BBC News

Williams wins his 18th cap against Scotland after his debut in March 2008

The newly elected Football Association of Wales Player of the Year, Ashley Williams, has confidently slipped on the captain's armband for the first time against Scotland.

But now that Premier League clubs are casting envious glances in his direction, it may be hard to imagine there was a time when the Swansea City centre-back did not have it so good.

Rejected by West Bromwich Albion as a 16-year-old apprentice, he salvaged what was left of his football career by joining Unibond League side Hednesford Town, in his home county of Staffordshire.

On a part-time contract, he made up his wages with a series of part-time jobs, including waiter in a local restaurant, ten-pin bowling alley worker and attendant on the hoopla and coconut shy attractions at the Drayton Manor theme park in Staffordshire.

He tried his heart out for Hednesford, and thoroughly deserved a shot in league football Steve Jenkins, Hednesford Town fanzine

But while he was dreaming of a football career, while he was taking money and handing out rings, he could scarcely have imagined that in just six years he would be captain of his country and playing for a Championship side on the verge of the play-offs - at the end of which could lay the promised land of the Premier League.

In December 2003 a string of consistent performances for Hednesford attracted the attention of Oldham Athletic. While their bid was flatly refused, he was eventually allowed to leave on New Year's Eve, when League Two Stockport County made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

Steve Jenkins, who runs Hednesford Town fanzine The Price Is Right, said: "No-one could work out why the club turned down the bid from Oldham, which would have brought in some cash for the club, only to let him go to Stockport for nothing a few weeks later.

"But that said, none of that was Ashley's fault.

"He tried his heart out for Hednesford, and thoroughly deserved a shot in league football. We wish him all the best for Swansea, Wales and beyond - We're still following his career now, six years after he left us."

Ashley Williams worked part-time at Drayton manor theme park

Williams's call-up to play for Wales was something of a fluke. During an away match for Stockport against Hereford United, Ashley attracted the attention of Wales under-21 boss Brian Flynn.

Taking a punt on a Welsh-sounding name, Flynn made inquiries with Stockport, only to learn that he did indeed have a Welsh grandfather, but the Williams connection was a red herring, as it was on his mother's side.

Despite his somewhat tenuous links to Wales, it did not stop Williams forcing room-mate Owain Tudur Jones, to go over and over the words to the national anthem with him until he had it word perfect.

Williams has said that although he was born in England, his mother and her family are Welsh, and he "feels Welsh".

"I am living in Wales now and that gives you the chance to really get a feel for it and understand what the fans want," he said.

"I am learning the anthem and trying to sing it every time, I hope that shows my commitment and how seriously I am taking all this."

The day after his Wales debut in March 2008, Williams signed on loan for Swansea City, who beat off competition from Leeds United and Cardiff City.

Just over 18 months later, he has won 17 caps, and secured a long-term deal with Swansea.

And, in the absence of regular Wales skipper Craig Bellamy for the friendly against the Scots at the Cardiff City Stadium, he has become an international captain.