Williams 'delighted' to return 'home' after signing for Cheltenham

Striker Andy Williams believes he can help Cheltenham Town win promotion out of Sky Bet League Two next season after joining the club this week.

The 33-year-old, who was on target at Wembley as Cobblers thrashed Exeter City 4-0 in the play-off final, has agreed a one-year deal at Whaddon Road.

“I am delighted, it was nice to get it sorted before pre-season started,” he told the Cheltenham club website. “It is something I have thought about for a while. I live quite close to here and I have played a lot against Cheltenham in the last few years.

“I like the style of play and the manager has some great ideas and it is an exciting time to come and join the club.

“If it wasn’t for Covid I think Cheltenham would have got promotion last season. It came at the wrong time for the club but we have managed to keep hold of the players who did well last season and are adding to it as we try to achieve something this season.

“Hopefully I can come here and add some experience and help out with that.”

Williams returns to Cheltenham 18 years after he was released as a 15-year-old.

“I was here at 15 and so I am familiar with the building and after the career I have had it’s nice to feel like I am coming back home almost, or closer to home,” he added.

“It will be a great opportunity to show everyone in Cheltenham what I can do on the pitch. I dropped into the gaffer when I met him that I went to the Millennium Stadium to see him and Cheltenham get promoted in 2002 which was a strange experience now he is my manager.

“I have fond memories of the place even though I didn’t quite make the grade back then and it is nice to come back

“In football you have setbacks and I had a few in those early days and it’s been nice to go on and have a good career in the game but there are still a few milestones I would like to hit and a few more promotions to aim for."