Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams has revealed the significance of a prized ring among his collection of medals.
Wales international Williams suffered huge personal loss at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when his parents came to the team hotel on the eve of the team’s first match, against the United States, to tell him his beloved grandfather Kelvin Jones had died. The Reds full-back’s grandfather played a huge role in his fledgling career, both in an advisory capacity and transporting the youngster to Liverpool training from his north Wales home.
“He wasn’t just my granddad, he played a huge part,” said Williams ahead of his country’s 2026 World Cup campaign. “He was also where I got my football ability from – he actually got scouted for Everton but broke his leg a week before the trial – and I’m still playing for him, 100 percent.
“The day after, I had one of the biggest games of my career. It was obviously a tough time.
“But if he had still been there, he would have said to me, ‘you’re playing’. Regardless of what’s happened. So, that’s what I had to do.”
Williams’ trophy collection includes Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup and FA Youth Cup titles from his Liverpool days, as well as a Sky Bet Championship winner’s medal from a loan spell at Fulham. Sitting next to them is a ring reminding him of the influence his grandfather had on his career.
“I had a ring made with his name on it,” said Williams. “It’s always a little reminder to myself when I go home to see the achievements in my career with my medals and trophies. The ring is there as well because he helped me get those things.”
In an interview with the BBC, the 23-year-old added: "I'm not just playing for my grandad but it's for my family as well. They have made so many sacrifices to achieve my dream. Essentially, everything I do is for them.
"It wasn't just me who had to sacrifice. As a young lad, I moved away, went into digs and had limited time seeing my friends back at home. It goes unnoticed a lot of how much players' families have had to sacrifice too.
"They play huge parts in players' careers because I can guarantee most of our squad wouldn't be sitting where we are now or playing at the clubs they are now without their families helping out. I'm really grateful for what they have all done for me."
Wales start their World Cup qualifying campaign against Kazakhstan in Cardiff on Saturday and play North Macedonia away three days later. Williams joined the camp high on confidence with Forest third in the Premier League and in touching distance of a Champions League spot next season.
He said: “You never lose your ability but you can lose your confidence. Luckily, I obviously have a lot of confidence right now. It’s up to me now to take that into these Wales games.
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“The last World Cup feels a long time ago, but it still feels like a tournament where we could have done better. Hopefully, we can use it to qualify for this World Cup and what happened in Qatar can be useful.
“Last time we were just there, but this time we really want to make an impact. We want to showcase what we can do to the rest of the world.”
Forest are hoping they will also get the opportunity to showcase what they are about on the European stage next term. Williams has been a mainstay of the back line for Reds head coach Nuno Espirito Santo in recent weeks and has been a consistent performer.
“I can’t complain at the minute, for club and country. We’re third in arguably the best league in the world,” Williams said.
“I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is we’ve been doing differently from last season, but it is just small things. One of the main things is taking it game by game.
“Luckily for me at the minute, I’m doing really well for my club and also for my country. I’m just getting more confident as each game goes by. I’m coming into (this) camp now with the most confidence I’ve probably ever had. Now I’m just looking forward to bringing that and bringing what I can do into Saturday’s game.”
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