Buckley&District Reds

He spent over an hour at the top table speaking to Buckley-based Reds fans. After being congratulated on the team’s and his own good start to the season, Danny started by taking questions sent by users of the Red-Passion message-board. Asked whether he favours playing in defence or midfield, he said he didn’t mind whichever and would play wherever he’s told to. He brushed off suggestions that he’s getting slower by stating that he’s never really had any pace.

He said he realises that as he gets older he can’t play three games a week and accepts there will be times when he needs to be substituted/rested. He added that the same goes for everyone now that we have a bigger squad. He likes the “Danny Williams is a red, he hates Chester chant”, saying that even his daughter is now singing it!

Asked whether he reads the ‘RP’ message-board he said his wife sometimes does, but he doesn’t take any notice of the criticism he gets. He did say that some players do read it. Michael Ingham took a lot of the criticism he received seriously, that it damaged his confidence, and that the likes of Simon Spender used to get a lot of unfair stick.

He then took questions from the Buckley Reds members on a wide range of topics such as the normal match day preparation of the team to his time as a youngster at Liverpool. Danny said that fitness coach Andy O’Boyle had made a big difference at the club in an area Brian Carey was keen to improve in. He was open about the amount of time he used to spend out on the town, particularly in his first spell at the club under Brian  Flynn. He said that he knows he can’t do that any more and it’s not allowed under Carey’s stricter regime. He mentioned Roy Evans role at the club as being there to give advice to Brian and the players, and that he sees more of Geoff Moss around the place than Nev Dickens. He believes both Nev & Geoff have good intentions for the club and aren’t in it to do a ‘Hamilton’.

Regarding his spell at Chester he spoke of his dislike of the club, its facilities, generally not having too many good words to say about our local rivals. He was only there to keep his fitness up. Danny was enthusiastic about many of our young prospects, particularly the likes of Matt Done, Levi Mackin and Robyn Kacaniklic, as well as expecting Josh Johnson to do well.

At the mention of new signing Silvio Spann, another central midfielder, Danny welcomed the competition. He believes having a bigger squad should help the team avoid the problems we got into last year and that we should be targeting the play-offs. Last year’s Accrington away game was mentioned, Danny describing how unsettling their ground is and such a difficult place to play in the dark (!). He said because the Racecourse is a bigger stadium with a great pitch many away teams really raise their game when they visit.

He spoke about some of his other former team-mates; Lee McEvilly who he didn’t reckon would ‘do it’ for us consistently; Lee Roche whom Danny said was very quiet and no-one at the club could really get to know him; Jeff Whitley – Neither Danny or any of his team-mates know what happened with Jeff! Danny said that Jeff didn’t turn up before the Boston game and hasn’t been since. He said that Jeff’s ‘Premiership’ lifestyle contrasted greatly with what the Wrexham lads were used and that he was a bit of a character. Danny was asked a few questions about the Boston game. He said he always thought we’d win, losing never crossed his mind even at a goal down. Ryan Valentine was fired up at half-time kicking bags around etc, and that none of the players ever want to go through anything like that again. He said the memory of it will inspire him and the rest of the lads to never let their standards slip, and to push on up the league.

After answering questions and speaking for longer than anticipated, Danny was thanked for coming along and giving so much of his time to support the Buckley Reds. A great credit to Wrexham FC he answered every question as honestly and truthfully as possible. He then spared me some time to answer a few random questions:

Q&A