Marc Lloyd Williams rolled back the years as the Cymru Premier's all-time leading scorer marked his comeback with a goal at the age of 53. Twelve years after he retired, Williams was among the scorers for Llanberis as they beat Amlwch Town 8-0 in the first qualifying round of the Welsh Cup.
Williams played for several clubs in Welsh football's top flight, most notably Bangor City, where he had five spells and won the Welsh Cup and Cymru Premier. He also played in the EFL for Stockport County, York City and Halifax Town.
But he returned to action with his home village team, where it all began as a teenager in the 1980s.
Why did he return to Llanberis?
Williams said the move came after he was staying in Llanberis with his mother for work and joined in pre-season. He said he looked sharp, and team-mates encouraged him to sign on, so he decided to do so.
“That's where it started. Llanberis,”
He added that he had played a friendly five days before the Welsh Cup game, spending about 60-70 minutes on the pitch and feeling fine, although he was stiff for two or three days afterwards. When Llanberis asked if he was available for the Welsh Cup, he said yes.
“I was staying at my mother's in Llanberis a couple of times a week with work so I thought I'd join in with pre-season.”
“I was looking quite sharp and the lads were asking 'why don't you sign on?' so I thought I might as well.”
“Five days before the Welsh Cup game I played in a friendly.”
“I played about 60-70 minutes and felt ok and felt sharp, although felt a bit stiff for two or three days after.”
“They asked if I was available for the Welsh Cup and I said yes.”
Williams said his long connection to the club made the comeback especially meaningful, and that he would not have signed for anyone else.
“I've still got a lot of friends there and it's nice to help out and put something back. I wouldn't have signed for anyone else.”
“You go back to your roots and it's nice to put on the black and amber shirt.”
He also joked about the age gap between him and some of the Llanberis players.
“Someone said 'you've got to do a song because you're a new signing' I said 'I signed before you were born!'”
“I'm old enough to be a grandfather to two or three of them because they are in college.”
Williams said he had played one or two games for Llanberis in the Welsh Cup as a youngster, around the age of 15 or 16, and could not recall scoring for them in the competition before this return.
“I played one or two games for them in the Welsh Cup when I was a youngster, around 15/16 and I can't recall scoring a goal for them in the Welsh Cup.”
“So it was nice to bag one in the Cup.”
IMAGE_1
Marc Lloyd Williams in action for Bangor City in 2006, won the Welsh Premier's Golden Boot award twice.
How is he still involved in football?
Williams remains closely involved in the game. He is head coach of the Welsh Schools team and works as a pundit for BBC Wales and S4C.
His return to the pitch would not have happened without his training for the London Marathon in April, which helped him remain fit enough to play.
“I'd been training for the London Marathon, so I was still quite fit,”
“If I hadn't been training for the marathon over the past year then I wouldn't have been in any shape, way or form to run around a football field”
“I've maintained my fitness levels after the marathon – I haven't stopped with the running.”
“But it's different when you've got to start twisting and turning and then accelerate and decelerate.”
“So it does take its toll on the joints and the muscles in a different way.”
Williams, nicknamed Jiws, missed out on a place in next year's London Marathon, but hopes to take part again in a few years. He plans to continue doing 10k runs and half marathons to keep in shape, and he says he has no intention of hanging up his football boots yet.
Will he keep playing?
Williams joked that he never officially retired, saying he simply was not selected by any squad. He also made a substitute's appearance for Llanberis in their midweek league game at Cemaes Bay.
“I never officially retired – I just wasn't selected by any squad,”
He said he had told Llanberis that whenever he is available, and if they want him in the squad, he would be happy to help out. Williams also said he had seen and read that other older players have been inspired by his return and now believe they can still play.
“I've said when, and if available and if they [Llanberis] want me to be part of the squad then I'm more than happy to help out.”
“I have seen and read that a few other older players have seen what I've done and think 'I can still play.'”
“If it inspires some people to get back on that health trail and fitness then all be it.”
Williams' previous clubs also include Southport, TNS, Rhyl, Aberystwyth Town, Porthmadog and Newtown.
