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Posh Diary: West Ham links - joining Posh was the best decision Williams ever made
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COMEBACK king Tom Williams reckons the best move he ever made was to leave West Ham for Posh.
The dashing left-back, who had three spells at Posh, is back at London Road today as five year-old son Rocky is a mascot for the Championship visit of The Hammers.
It will be a happy occasion for both as Williams senior enjoyed the best times of a 12-club career at Posh and Rocky is still a big fan of the team even though the family have now moved to London. Rocky’s mother is glamour model and recent Celebrity Big Brother contestant Nicola Mclean.
“Rocky can’t wait and nor can I,” Williams admitted. “I had my best times at Posh and joining them from West Ham was the best thing I ever did as it kick-started my career.
“I’m looking forward to the game. I haven’t seen Posh as much as I would have liked, so to come back for a big game in front of a full house should be a great experience for Rocky and me.”
Williams’ career has stalled in recent times. The 31 year-old’s last competitive match was the final game of last season for League One side Walsall and he hasn’t had a club since leaving the Bescot Stadium in the summer.
Williams has been training with QPR and recently spent a couple of weeks with the New York Red Bulls. The US soccer scene now appeals to a footballer who was a firm fans’ favourite at London Road.
Williams added: “I enjoyed every spell with the club. I was with Chelsea from ages 8-15, but West Ham picked me up from Walton & Hersham.
“Unfortunately they had Nigel Winterburn and Stuart Pearce at the club at the time so I never got a game in the first team. They were at the end of their careers, but they were still great players so I had to leave to get first-team football
“Barry Fry signed me for Posh and I had a great six months even though the team ended up struggling after a good start. Before the end of that season I was sold to Birmingham so it must have gone well for me.
“I came back on loan to play for Barry a couple of years later which was also a good time and then Darren Ferguson signed me. I loved playing for him and the team was successful which helped.
“I was a regular in the team that won promotion from League One, but picked up an injury at Oldham and missed the last eight games or so.
“I was back in the side for the Championship season when we played some great stuff, but didn’t win enough games. I left for QPR in November at the same time as Darren left.
“I was gutted that they were relegated that season, but it’s brilliant that they’ve managed to get back and I hope they stay there this time.
“Barry, Darren and Darragh MacAnthony all deserve their success. Barry flogged his guts out for the club to keep it going in difficult times, while Darragh has backed the club with hard cash and Darren is just a gifted manager.
“I am confident they will stay up. Doncaster and Coventry look like they’ve gone to me so it’s just a case of finishing above one more.
“I’m still looking for a club. I’ve had a couple of offers lately, but it has to be the right move. I’m fit, fresh and raring to go at a moment’s notice.
“I fancy the US scene, but there are a lot of rules and regulations to get through. If that was to happen it would be in the summer.”
OTHERS TO HAVE A LINK WITH BOTH POSH AND WEST HAM
Noel Cantwell
The managerial messiah played more than 250 games for West Ham and managed Posh to the 1973-74 Fourth Division title.
Jimmy Bullard
The Hammers took him from non-league football, but didn’t play him. One of Barry Fry’s best Posh signings.
Mark Robson
West Ham player who is now a Posh coach.
Matthew Etherington
Young Posh superstar who moved onto Spurs before West Ham. The left-winger is now in the Premier League with Stoke.
Ian Feuer
Posh signed this 6ft 7in goalkeeper on loan from West Ham in the 1994-95 season. He was very impressive at London Road.
Michael Beesley
Two matches for West Ham, 29 for Posh. An inside forward from the 1960s.
Jack Collison
A Posh centre of excellence player as a kid who is now a West Ham first-team regular.
Jimmy Quinn
The Northern Ireland international played in a FA Cup semi-final for West Ham in 1991. Scored goals for Posh aged 38
Peter Eustace
Useless Eustace played for West Ham in the top-flight and for Posh in Division Three.
Dale Gordon
Signed by John Still on loan for Posh from West Ham on transfer deadline day 1995.
Bill Green
Posh paid West Ham a club record for £60,000 for Green as a replacement for Chris Turner. It wasn’t a great decision.
Bobby Barnes
Burst on the scene as a kid at Upton Park. Helped Posh to promotion in the 1992-93 season.
Dave Llewellyn
A striker who started at West Ham and finished at Posh. Now a top fitness coach at Virgin Active in Thorpe Wood.
Dave Swindlehurst
Four terrible Posh matches after many more bad games for West Ham.
Adam Newton
A team-mate of Joe Cole in the West Ham youth team. Played more than 200 times for Posh.
Grant McCann
The current Posh skipper started out at West Ham.
Daniel Kearns
At Upton Park as a youngster, now at Posh.
Mike Small
A striker who top-scored for West Ham in the 1991-92 season. Played on loan for Posh a decade earlier.
Gary Breen
Elegant central defender who won Irish Under 21 caps while with Posh. Played a handful of games for the Hammers many years later.
Ian Crawford
Stalwart Posh full-back had played at West Ham before moving to London Road.
Everald La Ronde
Full-back who spent two months on loan from Bournemouth at London Road in mid-1980s. Played for West Ham before that.
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