Williams exit marks changing of the guard at Robins

Newtown Football Club’s long serving captain Craig Williams is switching to local rivals Caersws this summer, a move that shows a changing of the guard at Latham Park.

The club issued a joint announcement with Williams last week to say that after 16 seasons and a club record 504 Welsh Premier appearances, he was leaving the club as a player. However, he will continue as the club’s head of coaching.

His announcement followed previous news that goalkeeper, Dave Jones, was to leave after 339 league games, he has since signed for Aberystwyth Town, and Nick Rushton was off after 212 matches for the club.

But former crowd favourite Jason Oswell has returned after a spell in professional football that included Stockport County, Morecambe and Wrexham.

He is joined through the in-door by former Shrewsbury Town and Wales U21 international Dom Smith, along with former Wrexham midfielder Robbie Evans. Replacing Jones between the sticks will be former TNS stopper, Andy Wycherley, who joins from Barwell FC.

A number of players have also put pen to paper to extend their contracts with the Robins and manager, Chris Hughes, said “I’m very happy with our business so far.”

Meanwhile, the Robins have revealed a pre-season fixture list that kicks off at home to Gresford on June 30.