Steve Williams Interview: Dundalk FC Magazine v Drogheda United – March 2009.
While Drogheda fans might be throwing various pieces of farmyard animals at one of their ex-players tonight, Dundalk welcome back a number of players who will be fondly remembered at Oriel Park. One such player is goalkeeper Steve Williams who excelled during his spell at Dundalk between 1997-1999. It’s hard to believe that it is nearly ten years since the “Great Wall of Wales” departed Oriel Park. His first season was a decent year for the club under Jim McLaughlin as Dundalk finished sixth in the 1997/98 season – a big improvement on the disastrous 1996/97 season that saw Dundalk only escape relegation thanks to some, how should we say, “imaginative” wheeling and dealing that secured the signing of Jeff McNamara before the relegation play-off against Waterford United. This time ten years ago Dundalk were in freefall. On the 18th March 1999, Dundalk hosted Derry City at Oriel Park. Dundalk were absolutely horrendous. It was clear that this team was certainly going to be relegated. Derry won 1-0. The only reason it was not 10-0 was the man between the sticks. Quite simply, with the greatest respect to the likes of Ray Campbell, Tom McNulty and Brian Byrne – the only reason to go to Oriel that season was to see how Williams was going to frustrate the rampaging opposition.
How did you sign for Dundalk?
Eddie May had seen me play for Cardiff City and was interested in bringing me over. I remember I played my last game for Cardiff in a game against Northampton. Eddie then offered me the chance to come over to Ireland. I didn’t know much about the league here apart from what a few of the Irish lads at Cardiff could tell me. Anyway, Eddie took me over and I liked the set up at the club. I loved the area and the town. So much so that I am still living in Dundalk twelve years later!
What did you think when Eddie decided to resign very early into that campaign?
It was a bit of a shock! I had signed a contract at Dundalk but in fairness to the club they told me that they wouldn’t stand in my way if I wanted to leave. However, I had settled down in the area and wanted to see it through.
You only played here for two seasons but are still very fondly remembered. It was not a great period for the club. Did you enjoy it?
I think that people respect the fact that you gave 100%. I gave blood, sweat and tears during those two seasons. The club was not in a healthy state by the time I left. They couldn’t afford to keep me after we got relegated. That 98/99 season was great for me personally but as a team it was a disaster. We just didn’t have enough good players and a few of them just didn’t want to put the effort in. It was hard to be involved in a relegation.
Did you enjoy your time at Shelbourne?
It was then that I hooked up with Dermot Keely at Shels. It was initially a loan-move. Tommy McConville was involved at Dundalk on the coaching side of things and he told his good friend Dermot about me and I made the move. Dermot used to say “I hate goalkeepers but you are warming to me”. I think Dermot just didn’t like the way that goalkeepers are either a hero or a villain. He hated that level of inconsistency in keepers. Luckily enough I performed very well and keep up my level of consistency. This is something that I am trying to instill in my own goalkeeping courses that I run.
During your time at Shels you had Chris Bennion to compete with. Did you think he was a promising talent?
Yes. Chris got into the first team ahead of me after my first child was born. He kept his place for a while and it was hard job getting my place back in the team. But it was easy to see the potential that Chris had at the time. He had been brought up in Middlesboro so he was obviously a talented goalkeeper. It’s good to see him now established as Dundalk’s number 1.
What is your opinion of the standards of goalkeeping in the League of Ireland?
It’s very good. Brian Murphy at Bohemians is probably the undisputed number one in the league. I rate Barry Ryan at Galway United very highly also. He only moved away from St Pats because of his commitment to his partner who has a job in Galway. Barry Murphy at Shamrock Rovers is also very talented. Overall the levels of goalkeeping are very high which makes it very difficult for old fogies like myself to get a game!
It looked like you were planning to leave the game altogether…
Well I didn’t enjoy my spell at Sporting Fingal last year. I thought that I was losing my love of the game. I also thought that the standards in the league were dropping. Bohs won the league at a canter last year and it was the same in the previous year when Drogheda won it. There used to be 4-5 clubs chasing for honours. Hopefully this season will be more competitive.
Did you come close to joining Dundalk?
I was offered a role at Dundalk this year in both a playing and coaching capacity but unfortunately my days of playing full-time football are over. I couldn’t work around the hours that Dundalk were planning for training.
How are you enjoying life at Drogheda United?
It’s going well. It was a bit of a rollercoaster ride for the club and Alan had to put together a squad quickly. I was delighted to get a call. Playing in the Premier Division is the only thing that interests me. The First Division is very ugly – there is no football played and I didn’t want to play down there. Drogheda is ideal. It’s really nice that I have people coming to see me play – I have friends and family that go up to United Park to watch the games. The Dundalk game will be very special. I am really looking forward to it.
How do you look back over your career?
I have thankfully stayed injury free. With a bit more luck I have no doubt that I could have made it in England. But I have played at a very high level for a long time now. I worked with some great managers and had some great times. So I have no regrets.
