| Deserved testimonial for stalwart Willo |
| Saturday 24 October 2009 |
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"I've got great memories of the club," said the midfielder of his time at Wrexham. "The likes of Gareth Owen and Neil Roberts were playing there at the time, Brian Carey was good to me and Joey Jones and Cliff Sear were a big influence. "Wrexham were still eligible to qualify for Europe then and because they had to have a certain number of Welsh lads I was named in squads, but I never got to play for the first team - I wasn't good enough," he added with typical modesty. "I'm really pleased Wrexham have agreed to send a team to Rhyl. They've got a first team game on the Tuesday night but anyone who wasn't involved or was a sub is expected to play." PE teacher Wilson, who once represented Wales Under-16s and 18s as well as the British Students side, has had a good response from former Rhyl colleagues towards his big night. "I'm expecting 30-odd players, mainly playing 10-15 minutes on, 10-15 minutes off. A lot of us have got games on Friday or Saturday, including me with Prestatyn, so I don't want anyone to get injured. I'm expecting a light-hearted game, but a special occasion." Among the expected Rhyl starters are Steve Walters and Timmy Edwards, who won the Welsh Premier title with Wilson in 2003/04, as well as Stuart Graves and goalkeeper Lee Kendall, a championship winner with the Lilywhites last season who is now with Port Talbot. Wilson, affectionately known as Willo, was a mainstay of the Rhyl midfield for a number of seasons, his wholehearted running and fierce tackling earning him many admirers. He is the club's second highest appearance maker of all time in the WPL with 221 and has featured in more games in the league for Rhyl than any other player (253). Willo also scored some spectacular goals, including an absolute rocket to clinch a 2-0 Welsh Cup final success against Bangor City in 2006. Occasionally, his enthusiasm would spill over, a factor in his game he admits is an Achilles heel. "I've played over 300 games in the Welsh Premier but would have played in many more but for suspensions," he lamented. "Rhyl's a great club which will always hold a special place in my heart," added Wilson. "I live in Shrewsbury but travelled up to Rhyl for seven or eight years when I could have signed for clubs closer to home - I wouldn't have done that if I hadn't liked it there. "The managers I played under were always very loyal to me, Lee Williams, Allan Bickerstaff and especially John Hulse. I've also enjoyed a great relationship with the Rhyl fans who are amazing." At 31, Willo still feels he has plenty to offer the league at current club Prestatyn Town. It is no coincidence that in just their second season in the top flight, the Seasiders have enjoyed a storming start to the campaign thanks to the likes of summer signing Wilson bringing his experience and bite to the midfield. "In many ways Prestatyn are a similar club to Rhyl. The stage Prestatyn are at now was the same as the first couple of years I was at Rhyl. "Rhyl had been finishing near the bottom, but rebuilt under Lee Williams and then John Hulse and look at them now. "I feel the same now about Prestatyn, they are a very friendly, family club who I feel can achieve a lot. "I'd had a great time at Rhyl but they brought in a lot of big players and it was time to move on to a fresh challenge." He may no longer wear the white shirt, but Willo will be assured of a hero's welcome when Belle Vue stages his testimonial a week on Wednesday. A big crowd would be greatly appreciated to celebrate the career of this tremendous player and character. GARETH WILSON - WELSH PREMIER FACTFILE Born: May 30, 1978 Honours: Welsh Premier League championship medals 1999/2000, 2003/04, 2008/09; Welsh Cup winners medals 2004, 2006. League playing record: Rhyl FC (1997/98; 2001-2008): Appearances 221 (plus 32 as sub); Goals 24 The New Saints (1998-2001): Apps 33 (31): Goals 8 Technogroup Welshpool (2008/09): Apps 11; Goals 1 Prestatyn Town (2009-): Apps 8; Goals 0 Total WPL appearances: 273 (63); Goals: 33. [This article appeared in the Daily Post, 23 October 2009]. |
ONE of the Welsh Premier League's most loyal stalwarts will be honoured by the club where he has enjoyed his greatest successes next month.