No Ordinary Joe.

One of manager Iwan Williams’ first signings when he joined Caernarfon Town was Joe Williams, who arrived at the Oval from Llandudno. In the two years he’s been with the club, Joe has been one of the side’s most consistent performers and has become a firm favourite with the club’s supporters. A full-back who loves to push forward, he also enjoys a tackle and, in the two years since he joined the Cofis, he’s proved that he’s no ordinary Joe.

I’ve seen all but two of Joe’s matches for Town, and whilst he is always ready for a chat, and I know Joe to be a really nice man, I knew very little of his footballing background and thoughts on the game, his team-mates and his time at the Oval. With this in mind, I felt Joe was the ideal candidate for the latest exclusive Oval Ways interview and I’m really pleased that he agreed to it.

So, a big thanks to Joe for taking the time to answer all my questions and I'm pretty sure everyone who reads the interview will enjoy it as much as I have. 

    

OW: Can you tell us about your football career up to your time at Caernarfon please Joe? Which teams have you played for, from your school days up to the present?

Joe: “I started off playing for Glan Conwy from the age of about five or six and stayed there till I was 19 I think after we won the FAW trophy. Joined Conwy with Paul Moroney winning the Welsh alliance and played for the tangies for 3 years before I moved to Llandudno winning the Cymru Alliance in my final season there. Since then I've been a Cofi and couldn't be happier at the club.”

OW: Have you always been a defender and if so, why?

Joe: “As a kid I played on the wing and believe it or not I used to score quite a few goals but as I've got older I've slowly moved back towards my own goal and I've ended up at right back.”

OW: Who have been the biggest influences on your career?

Joe: “I'd never tell him but my Dad was probably the biggest influence on me. He always taught me to work hard and never give up and that's something that's always stayed with me. Others that have influenced me were people like Paul Moroney (the scariest man in football!), Alan Morgan and Deiniol Graham. All are great managers and coaches in their own way.”

OW: Which professional team do you support and why?

Joe: “I've always supported Manchester United simply because that's who my dad supports.”

OW: Who was your favourite player when growing up and why?

Joe: “David Beckham was my idol, and he’s probably the coolest man on the planet even now. I had his boots and hairstyle but just didn't have his technique unfortunately.”

OW: Who is your favourite present player and why?

Joe; “Obviously Ronaldo and Messi are just ridiculous. I've got a few players I enjoy watching now though, players like Toni Kroos, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso and Michael Carrick. All are very underrated in my opinion but the vision they have, the positional awareness and the ability to see danger before others do and nullify it is top drawer and often goes unnoticed. Dani Alves is another one I enjoy watching play.”

OW: How did your move to Caernarfon come about?

Joe: “Iwan had been pestering me for about two months to sign and was doing my head in. He turned up at my gym in Rhos on Sea with a signing-on form, a pen and a bottle of red wine so I signed just to shut him up. But he still does my head in even now!!”

OW: Was it an expensive bottle of wine Joe, or was it just a token gesture from the manager?

Joe: “It should have been an expensive bottle the money he's on but the worst thing is I don't even like wine!”

OW: What did you know about Caernarfon Town before you joined us?

Joe: “Obviously before signing I knew Caernarfon was a huge club with a huge fan base but I didn't realise at the time just how big. It's a great buzz playing in front of the Cofi Army every week and games like the ones last season at Cefn Druids and Bangor, and against Bala, Rhyl and Camarthen in the Welsh Cup this season are all games I'll never forget.”

OW: Had you ever played at the Oval before joining us?

Joe: “I had played at the Oval many times before signing and had some memorable wins but also some heavy defeats. I always remembered it being a very difficult place to come to.”

OW: Who would make your five a side Caernarfon Town line-up and why?

Joe:  "That’s a very, very tough question and I’m not sure I can just choose five so I'll pick a 5-a-side squad.

The goalkeeper is easy. I’d have Alex the Cat Rambo with Mike Innes a distant second choice.

Me, because it's my team.

Nathan Craig because he’s simply the best player I've ever played with.

Darren Thomas who is again one of the best players I've played with. He can do things most players can't and is a very clever player.

Jamie Roberts. I really rate him and think he's one of the best young talents I've seen in a long time. He’s technically outstanding.

Jay Gibbs, because he'd be fuming with me if I didn't choose him.

Leigh Craven because he said I had to put him in or he wouldn't invite me to his wedding.

Our water boy would be Kev Bach, our physio would be Mair Williams and our cheerleader would be Richard Davies.

I have to apologise to my good mate Gareth Edwards for not picking him but you can't head the ball in 5-a- side!”

OW: Who do you least enjoy playing against in your training sessions?

Joe: “I love training with the boys and I enjoy it all. I play against Brookwell quite a lot in training as he's a left winger and you've always got to be on your toes against him. Jamie Bach, Nathan Craig, Chris Williams, they’re all quality but that can be said for everyone in the team.”

OW: If you were given the managers’ job for a day, would Iwan get into your side?

Joe: “No.”

OW: Who do you think is the most skillful player in the squad, and who is the fastest?

Joe: “Danny Brookwell is rapid and Breesy isn't far behind either. The most skilful I'd say is Clive "Rabona" Williams, he's 100% after Breesy's number nine shirt!”

OW: Were you surprised at how the team did in your first season with the club?

Joe: “Surprised, no. When Iwan spoke to me about signing for the club he told me from the off that his aim was to win the league so anything other than that would have been a huge disappointment. A club the size of Caernarfon should always be challenging for titles and it'll be the same again next season. We're not here to make up the numbers that's for sure.”

OW: What were your highlights from that first season and were there any disappointments?

Joe: “The victory at Bangor was a massive highlight. That game made me realise how important this club is to the fans, the atmosphere was amazing. I can't forget Druids away though either, again the fans were just unbelievable.”

OW: How did the club’s failure to achieve the domestic licence affect you?

Joe: “Obviously I was hugely disappointed, especially after the season we had. I more than feel the squad we had then and the one we've got now is more than capable of competing in the Welsh Premier league and without a shadow of a doubt that will be our aim next season.”

OW: Following up that league and cup double was always going to be hard. However, finishing runners up in the league, reaching the semi-final of the Welsh Cup and winning the League Cup was still a fantastic achievement wasn’t it?

Joe: “It's a season I'll never forget. Some massive highs in the Welsh Cup and winning the League Cup but also the disappointment of finishing runners up was a bitter pill to swallow. Fair play to Prestatyn though they more than deserved it. They beat us both home and away so I've got no complaints and I wish them all the best next year.”

OW: Did you believe that the team could go on a long run in the Welsh Cup, especially bearing in mind that we needed a penalty shoot out to beat Llangefni in the first round?

Joe: “I think when I look back at the Welsh Cup I forget about the earlier rounds but credit to Llangefni they gave us a tough test that day and the result could have gone either way. During the Welsh Cup you just take it one game at a time but after the Carmarthen victory you could definitely feel within the squad that the momentum and belief was there and it was such a buzz to be a part of. I'd love another Welsh cup run next year that's for sure.”

OW: Do you think the players felt they had something to prove against Welsh Premier League teams in the Cup?

Joe: “I think we know that we can mix it with the teams in that league, on our day we're more than a match for anyone. To be fair to Iwan and the coaching staff, our preparation for all those big games was bang on. We all knew exactly what to do so we had no excuses really.”

OW: What was the highlight of the run for you?

Joe: “The highlight for me would probably be the semi-final. Although we lost it was a great day and I just think in the end with us having so many players cup tied and suspended that took its toll on us as we just ran out of steam. Credit to Bala though, they were a very strong physical team and I was very pleased to see them go on and lift the trophy.”

OW: Iwan has signed three players in the last few weeks. What do you know of Gareth Evans, Rhys Roberts and Mark Griffiths?

Joe: “I've known Evo for years and played with him for a season at Llandudno when we won the league. We built up a good relationship down the right hand side so I'm looking forward to seeing him in training. Mark has always been a prolific striker and has always been a very tough opponent so I'm glad I won't have to play against him next season. Rhys is a no nonsense defender, tough in the tackle and great in the air. I've seen him try and bully Breesy a few times when we've played against Holyhead so I'll enjoy winding them both up.”

OW: Have you played or worked with Sean Eardley before Joe?

Joe: “I don't think I've played with him but I definitely remember playing against him a few times. If it wasn't for his dodgy ticker he'd 100% be making a living from playing football because he was absolutely quality. He's a great character also so I'm looking forward to his changing room banter,  he'll give Kev Bach a run for his money!”

OW: What will be the team's objectives next season and what do you think you can achieve?

Joe: “Obviously our main objective is the league. Bottom line from last season is our league form simply wasn't good enough so we'll be doing all we can to win it again, but it'll be very, very tough. The likes of Airbus, Rhyl, Flint, Holywell to name just a few will all be going for it so we'll have to stand up to the challenge.”

OW: Finally Joe, do you have a message for the Cofi Army?
Joe: “Just to say thank you for your continued support and dedication. I can assure you we'll be working harder than ever over pre-season and we'll all be looking forward to seeing you at the Oval for the start of next season. Best fans in the world!”