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Quiet, well-spoken and dedicated, DIRECTV W Connection captain and defensive midfielder Gerard Williams has emerged as one of the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League’s outstanding players for the 2013/14 season.
And, if Connection goes on to lift the Pro League crown and bank the million dollar bounty at stake, it would be down in no small part to Williams’ work in suffocating opposing attackers and setting the platform for his team’s offensive efforts.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/ Wired868)
A St Kitts and Nevis international, the 25-year-old told Wired868 that he tries to set an example for his compatriots as well as the young men and women in his adopted country every time he takes the field.
“I help and encourage the young ones to be active in sports, especially in this time with crime,” said Williams. “Nowadays, you can actually have a future in sports. I do my best on the field and try to set an example.”
Williams lives at the W Connection camp in Ste Madeleine but keeps regular contact with his parents and younger sister in St Kitts.
“I speak to my mom almost every day and they all live in the same house so it’s easy to speak to my father and sister,” he said. “I am a quiet normal guy. Family is everything for me and football comes first. That is my priority; making a good life for myself and my family.”
Here is a bit more about the Connection captain:
(Courtesy Wired868)
Name: Gerard Williams
Date of birth: 4 June 1988
Position: Midfielder
Former Schools: Dr. William Connor Primary and Verchild’s High
Favourite Player: Lionel Messi and Steven Gerrard
Favourite Team: Barcelona
When did you start playing football?
Back in St. Kitts when I was in grade six, I decided to try out for my school team. We went on to win the national school competition and during the prize giving ceremony I was named the Best Midfielder.
What makes you stand out?
I am mature and I always give 100% or more. Not every game is a good one but I work harder and harder every time. With everyone fighting for a position on the team, it’s disappointing when you don’t make it, but it just makes you work harder.
(Courtesy Wired868)
What is your ambition in football?
I would like to go outside and play for a big club in Europe.
What do you do in your free time?
I like to read; basically anything that is interesting. I also like to listen to conscious music like Sizzla and some dancehall.
What is your best moment in the game so far?
Well I have two. When my country qualified for the final round of the Under-20 world Cup qualifiers in Mexico. As a small country, nobody expected us to do well and we were close to qualifying.
Also, I trained with Sunderland in 2008. I met with (former England star) John Barnes and they sent the eight best players to train in Sunderland for two weeks. It was a good experience. I met (Trinidad and Tobago World Cup players) Dwight Yorke, Carlos Edwards and Kenwyne Jones there and they always gave us advice. The day before we left, they took us out for dinner and also gave us a couple pairs of boots each.
Editor’s Note: Pro League action continues at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 1 April 2014 when Caledonia AIA faces Police FC from 6 pm and Point Fortin Civic tackles Defence Force from 8 pm.
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Victoria Walcott is a journalism student at COSTAATT and an intern at Wired868.
Hi Cus
Glad to see your still playing football and hopefully leading by example.
Look me up when you make it to UK!
Nice article . We love you son.