Tom Williamson - Stockport's Champion
| Published: 13th December 2007 08:43 |
Tom Williamson on the right
Tom Williamson
When Stockport Metro's captain Chris Bland stepped down at the end of last season the club surprised everyone by appointing one of the youngest members of their squad to succeed him. (Richard Bailey Reports)
At the age of 21 Tom Williamson is one of the youngest captains to play in the Northern Men's Premier Division. But the situation isn't as surprising as first seems. Williamson has played for the club all his life and has come up through the ranks and even at his relative young age the defender has plenty of experience behind him. Williamson was flung head first into the hustle and bustle of the seniors at the age of 16 fresh from the junior's leap-frogging the clubs ‘A' and ‘B' teams (as is the norm with the development of young players) in the process. When you think then that the current campaign is his sixth successive season at this level you begin to realise that his age really isn't an issue.
Having firmly established himself as a regular in the Stockport line-up Williamson was called up for England duty and found himself part of the England squad, which flew out to America in 2003 to compete in the U'19 World games, something which Williamson describes as one of the highlights of his career so far. "Playing for England at the World Games was definitely a highlight for me. I think it's even up there with representing England at the Senior World Championships in 2006."
But despite representing his country at the highest level the real test was how would his teammates at club level respond to taking orders from someone who was younger than them. Williamson admits at first it was tough, "At the start I did feel the pressure as I was one of the youngest members of the team. In the beginning there were a few issues but I realised that, that came with the job and now hopefully I have ironed them out. Overall I think the team has reacted really well."
Someone who has helped Williamson out is his co-captain Paul Fullerton. "I have received a lot of help and encouragement from Paul which has made the job a little easier." But Williamson acknowledges the main reason behind the smooth transition from normal player to captain giving out the orders, "Most of all I couldn't do the job without the team behind me which I feel has been the case right from the start."
After Bland captained Stockport to last seasons Northern Men's Premier Division title many would have thought that Williamson may have had second thoughts about stepping into his predecessors shoes. But Williamson explains that he didn't have to think long when asked to succeed Bland. "Its something, which I have always worked towards and I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity. I am really enjoying my first season as captain so far and the extra responsibility that comes with the post."
Williamson clearly seems determined to continue the success that was the norm under Bland's captaincy. "Chris Brand was a very successful captain. Its is a hard act to follow but I would be lying if I said I didn't want to push the team further and get better results in my term as captain." Williamson goes on to explain his targets for the current season, "We won the league last year so we want to retain that this year. We didn't win the Flags competition last season so my goal this year is to get the double and with the way we are playing at the moment there is a good chance of that happening."
With Stockport leading the way in the league closely followed by Timperley Williamson has every right to be confident about the current season but he knows that staying at the top will be the hardest challenge. The task becomes tougher when as well as planning training and sorting out arrangements for the weekend games Williamson also has the small problem of a full time job to think about as he explains."Its hard work and sometimes I feel that I am meeting myself coming back but luckily the company I work for are very understanding and they are behind me 100 percent which makes it easier. At the end of the day I love playing the game so it's a small sacrifice."
As mentioned before Williamson also has the added responsibility of representing his country, something that is very close to the 21-year-olds heart. With the 2010 World Championships being held in Manchester you may be forgiven for thinking that Williamson has his sights firmly set on that but the defender has other things on his mind as he explains. "My first goal for the national team is the European Championships in Finland in 2008 and that's where my sights are focused on now first and foremost. But hopefully if that a success then 2010 will then be my next goal."
When asked about the future Williamson highlights that this season is his main objective but when pushed he declares, "I only have one more target left to reach and that is to one day be captain of England."
With the amount that Williamson has achieved already in the short time he has been playing lacrosse it would take a brave man to bet against him doing so and he will be the first to tell you that age isn't a factor.
Written by Richard Bailey / Richardbailey07@hotmail.com / 07796421526 /
What do you think?
You will need to sign in to post a comment to this article. if you do not have an AboutMyArea account, you can join now for free.
