Group texts unify us all – Fon Williams
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OWAIN Fon Williams revealed that team texts are unifying Caley Thistle as they prepare to come through their early season injury crisis.
The Wales international squad keeper, who has eyes on playing in the European Championships in France next summer, has replaced Ryan Esson as John Hughes’ first pick between the sticks and played superbly well in Saturday’s 1-0 Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership defeat against Motherwell.
After Wes Fletcher scored Well’s winner after just four minutes, the 28-year-old saved a Scott McDonald penalty then pulled off a string of top saves as the clinical visitors showed the bite the hosts lacked without so many players missing through injury.
Striker Jordan Roberts, midfielders Aaron Doran, Richie Foran and James Vincent along with full-back Carl Tremarco were all sidelined, with Hughes able just to name five subs.
Central defender Gary Warren broke his leg after a crunching tackle from Stephen Pearson then Josh Meekings went off at the break after sustaining a knock.
Rather than moan about the severe lack of numbers, Fon Williams, who made his debut in last month’s 1-0 Europa League loss against Romanians Astra Giurgiu, says smartphones are playing their part in keeping the mood upbeat.
He told the HN: "We lost Gary and he’s a massive player for us. It’s never nice to lose a player through injury but particularly a broken leg.
"The good thing about this football club is we have a group team text system in place. Every single player at the club is linked into a single text message and everyone has been rallying round asking how Gary is.
"As soon as we got off the pitch on Saturday we wanted to know. Everyone looks after one another here. It’s a decent-sized squad and we are all in it together.
"To go forward, in any walk of life, if you have the right personnel in place it can take care of itself if you want to succeed.
"The group text may be a little thing but it shows that no-one is putting themselves above anyone else. It’s very much from the youngest to the oldest, there’s a bond and trust between players. That can only be a good thing and it can transmit on to the pitch."
Like Aberdeen’s on-loan keeper from Liverpool Danny Ward, Fon Williams is trying to dislodge Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey from the Wales number one spot.
Fon Williams has been on the bench for his country many times over the years, including in the 0-0 qualifying draw in Belgium, the 3-0 win in Israel and the 1-0 win over Belgium which sees them lead Group B by three points.
He knows a big August before they face Cyprus and Israel in the next Euro qualifying fixtures could help keep him firmly in the frame.
And he hopes Scotland, who are tucked just behind Poland and Germany in Group D, could make it a nice Celtic double next summer.
He explained: "I have been in the Wales squad for four of five years and in every camp ever since, so I need to stick in there. It’s vital for me.
"I’m a very proud and passionate Welshman and I want to be included in every squad. However, first and foremost, I want to be successful here and keep as many clean sheets as possible. I want to win things at the club.
"Last year was fantastic for Caley Thistle, incredible, winning the Scottish Cup and finishing third. If we could repeat that it would be fantastic. If I can be successful here then hopefully I can be picked for the Wales squad.
"The national team is doing fantastically well, as is Scotland. We are both Celtic nations and we stick together. It was be terrific to see Wales and Scotland in France next year and I don’t think we are asking too much.
"It’s a real possibility. If both nations continue to play as they have been then we’ll be there and I would love to be there representing Wales next summer."
Fon Williams, who was released by Tranmere in May, was surprisingly chosen ahead of Esson in the home Astra tie last month but he says he has a great working relationship with 35-year-old Aberdonian.
He said: "Ryan Esson has been top drawer with me, working me hard in training, trying to get me fitter because I came in late, so I was playing catch-up in terms of my fitness. Ryan’s been pushing me, fine tuning me and getting me sharper for the games."
