Alloa new boy Mark Williams is determined to prove his worth as he sealed a one-year deal at the club following a successful trial period.
The talented full-back, who was released by St Mirren at the end of last season, is now hoping that being reunited with former boss Danny Lennon can help get him back on track, and revealed that he cannot wait to prove a point against his old club in the SPFL Championship this season.
Williams told Advertiser sport: “I am delighted to sign for Alloa and I see it is as a great opportunity for me to prove I deserve to play at a high level. I am just really looking forward to it now and I’m thrilled to be working under Danny again.
“We worked together at St Mirren before where he gave me my first team debut and I really enjoyed working with him so hopefully that can now continue at Alloa. I know Danny’s enthusiasm for the game that shines through when he takes training, I have always enjoyed his sessions so it made it a very easy decision for me to come here.
“I have had a difficult summer to prove myself and earn a contract here after St Mirren, but as soon as Danny gave me the opportunity then I was desperate to impress and hopefully I can continue that over the course of the season. It is a very exciting prospect to play in this league over the season ahead with the likes of Rangers and Hibs there.
“It will be very strange for me to go back to St Mirren as an opposition player now, but it is something I am really looking forward to most. It is a chance for me to prove that I am good enough to play at that level and so it will be an extra bit of motivation for me going back there.
“I am really looking forward to that one and I am sure Danny will be going there with a point to prove as well and hopefully we can win those games.” Williams reckons the Clackmannanshire outfit have the talent to cope with a treacherous start to their new campaign as they prepare to travel the length and breadth of the country to face Brora Rangers, Berwick Rangers and Queen of the South before hosting Rangers in their first home game of the season.
He said: “The start to the season is a tough one with some difficult away ties in the cup before Queen of the South away and Rangers at home in the league, but with the squad that we have assembled here and with the quality we have got, I am confident, if we perform to the level we can, then we will do well in those games.
“These are the types of games you want to be involved in and everyone is looking forward to getting started now. I think it is a good thing that the manager has competition for every position in the team because it keeps everyone on their toes.
“It is important to play to your best every single week and I think this helps to ensure that so that is healthy for the team. I have enjoyed every minute at the club so far since first coming in on trial. All the boys are getting on really well and it is great to join up at such a well run club.” The 20-year-old defender took part in the first ever exit trials match organised by the PFA through experienced duo Andrew Barrowman and Ritchie Brittain and he believes that training was invaluable in helping seal his move to Alloa.
Williams added: “The PFA trials week was a great experience for me. The training helped give me an edge in terms of fitness and so that definitely helped me catch the manager’s eye when he came to watch me in the game.
“I was grateful for that opportunity for me and it helped a lot of boys find new clubs. I always had it in my head that Alloa was where I wanted to go before I went in there, but the experience definitely helped me to earn my deal here. ”
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