Dan Williams will always be thankful for the experiences he had at Swansea City that has developed him in to one of the leading players at The New Saints.
The midfielder is gearing up for another European campaign for the Oswestry club as they prepare for the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round against North Macedonian champions KF Shkendija.
TNS however have a player in Williams who brushed shoulders with some of Europe’s elite during his time at Swansea, including Viktor Gyokeres – who bagged 54 goals in all competitions for Sporting Lisbon last season – and Joel Piroe, who has just earned promotion to the English Premier League with Leeds United.
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By his own admission, it is being around these stars that has helped shape Williams into the player that he is today. He has gone on to make his own mark in football, winning three consecutive JD Cymru titles, as well as a domestic treble last season when he was nominated for the league’s Player of the Season award.
“I’m lucky enough to have played with some good players and it’s probably helped me to develop in to the player I have become today,” the 24-year-old said.
“Victor was quite young at Swansea. The loan spell probably didn’t go as he would have liked. Definitely in training you could see he was a winner. He’d miss a chance and he’d be beating himself up for a while.
“Joel Piroe, you could see from his quality in training how good he was coming in from PSV. His finishing was the best I’ve seen.”
Former Swansea City boss Russell Martin with Evolve Neuro.
FAW National Coaches Conference at Dragon Park on the 25th May 2025.
Russell Martin is someone who played a role in Dan Williams’ development
A pre-season friendly against Rangers this summer provided Williams with an opportunity to reunite with one of his old bosses Russell Martin, who was recently appointed manager of the Glasgow club. He will have his own Champions League campaign to prepare for.
Swansea City legend Alan Tate, who also had a spell at Port Talbot Town in the JD Cymru Premier, is another who has been a key figure in the midfielder’s development. He was his youth coach in the academy and later the pair found themselves reacquainted at senior level.
Opening up on some of the figures he leans on for support, Williams said: “I speak to Alan Tate now and again, I think he was my under-15s coach at Swansea City right up to where he ended up being in the first-team when I was in and around it. We worked together a couple of years. We speak about different things.
“I bumped in to Russell Martin last week which was nice and I had a good catch-up with him. There are a couple of people that I speak to and ask questions which is really helpful.”
Craig Bellamy with Dan Williams of TNS during the 2024/25 Nathaniel MG Cup Final fixture between Aberystwyth Town FC & The New Saints FC at Latham Park, Newtown, Wales
Dan Williams shares a handshake with Cymru national team boss Craig Bellamy
Swansea has been a constant in the life of the midfielder, even when he left SA1, both temporarily and permanently. Goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd arrived at TNS from QPR this summer, and the pair will have now been together at three clubs together; Swansea, Dundalk and the Saints.
Shepperd’s presence during Williams’ spell at League of Ireland side Dundalk was particularly important, as the midfielder had never spent time away from home before. The pair would help the club qualify for the UEFA Conference League. The shoe is now on the other foot however as it is Williams helping Shepperd adapt to life at TNS.
“I’ve known Sheps a long time, he’s actually living in my house at the minute which is not ideal!,” Williams joked.
“Me and Sheps have always got on. He looked after me a lot in my first loan spell in Dundalk. I never lived away from home at that point, I didn’t know how to cook, I didn’t know how to clean, so he helped me out. He used to cook tea for me every night, his girlfriend used to help me out cleaning the clothes and stuff.
“I think he’s a really good goalkeeper. I’m hoping he brings his experience of being around a Championship side last year into our changing room, and hope he can keep eight clean sheets in the qualifiers!”
Nathan Shepperd and Dan Williams on Cymru U21 duty in 2022
Shepperd will be replacing Connor Roberts who has signed for TNS’ JD Cymru Premier rivals Caernarfon Town, having initially announced his retirement.
They are big gloves to fill for Shepperd, with Roberts starring in Europe for the Saints last term, but Williams is tipping his close friend to reach the standards of the 32-year-old.
“Connor did superb for us over the last few seasons I’ve been at the club,” said Williams. “Even last year, he was probably our best player.
“I’m not sure if he ended up winning the most saves of the tournament but he definitely deserved to with the saves he made.
“It’s going to be difficult for Nathan to come in and try and replace Connor but I’m sure, he’ll back himself, and I back him to carry on Connor’s form.”
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