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Friday, June 20, 2025

Willo admits frustration over lack of game time but has high hopes of new season

Andy Williams after scoring in the 1-1 draw with Gloucester City on 1st January 2024

Hereford striker Andy Williams has told of the frustration of not getting more game time at Edgar Street - but he's hoping things will be different this season.

He is targeting the fifth promotion of his career and admitted that's why he came back to Edgar Street after 16 years.

The former youth player scored in the Walkers Stadium in Leicester in May 2006 as the Bulls won promotion back to the Football League, but left in July 2007 after 72 first-team appearances to join Bristol Rovers for £150,000. 

Now 38, he went on to be part of promotion-winning squads at League Two's Doncaster Rovers in 2017, Northampton Town in 2020 and Cheltenham Town in 2021.

Speaking with Malcolm Boyden on BBC Hereford and Worcester, the host put to Willo that 10 goals in 17 starts last season was a decent return - but Willo admitted there was frustration at not getting more game time.

He said: "I was happy with the return, I did feature in, I think it was, 49 out of the 51 games, although I think my goals was around about one in two. I was quite happy with that.

"I think, at times, a little bit of frustration probably with not coming on the pitch more. Me and the gaffer have spoken about that over the summer and probably realises that it's a bit of a two-way street in that front.

"I have got to be a bit more understanding of where I'm at and where everyone's at in terms of career and life etc.

"I've still got goals in me. Hopefully a bit more time on the pitch to help the team in games where we need a goal. I appreciate as well, speaking to the gaffer, that parts of my all-round game can help the team a bit more, if I work on those bits. You're never too old to learn things or improve things.

"I think people forget as well just because they see a number next to age bracket which is older than normal, I can still have bad games and not be past it. When I no longer can do the job anymore, I won't be playing it but I strongly believe there's more in me and more to give and I believe the gaffer does as well after speaking to him.

"Hopefully, I can get that continued support from everyone around me to be able to show that."

Kyle Howkins, Matt Preston and Remaye Campbell are among the 10 players staying at Edgar Street so far, and with the additions of defenders Keenan Quansah and Mitchell Roberts so far, Willo appears confident with Hereford's chances.

Since he joined newly-appointed Bulls boss Caddis in 2023, the side have finished 11th and 10th in the league - but promotion is their aim this season.

Willo added: "Things are definitely moving in the right direction. Both seasons I feel we should have been higher than what we actually finished, but unfortunately the league table doesn't like and it's up to us to do something about that.

"Hopefully this season. We've managed to keep hold of some key members of the squad and added some people to it as well. If we can keep adding and keep improving, we will be able to take that extra step over the line to where we want to get to.

"That's certainly my goal, I know that for sure. I'll be trying to use all the wisdom I've learned, especially over the latter few years where I've had a number of promotions and learned a real lot about what it takes to get those promotions.

"I'd like to be able to share that as best I can with the current group to hopefully help us get over the line."

You can listen to the full interview here, from 42:55 for the next 26 days.