I'll fill Westwood's gloves, says Williams
Last updated 12:44, Thursday, 26 June 2008
New Carlisle United goalkeeper Ben Williams today pledged to plug the void left by Keiren Westwood’s departure to Coventry.
“I’ll fill Keiren’s gloves okay - and then some,” said the 25-year-old after joining United on a three-year deal with a free transfer from Crewe Alexandra.
The former Manchester United trainee, who understudied Fabien Barthez, Roy Carroll and Tim Howard at Old Trafford, didn’t want to extend his contract at Crewe and was delighted when Carlisle came calling.
Speaking exclusively to News & Star Sport, Williams who, like Westwood, hails from Manchester, said: “I had a very good offer to stay at Crewe but I felt the time was right for me to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere and Carlisle fit the bill in every way.
“I need to progress my career and I’m sure I’ll do that with Carlisle. Both times we played them last season I was impressed with their solidity as a unit. They saw us off twice and their defence was very impressive.
“It helps as a keeper when you’ve got good defenders in front of you and there are some very good defenders at Carlisle. I aim to be a very reliable last line of that defence.
“I’m aware that comparisons with Keiren will start stright away but it would be good if we could knock those on the head. Keiren’s Keiren. I am me.
“I think he kept 19 clean sheets for Carlisle last season but I kept 13 in a team that struggled throughout. I’m proud of that.”
The 6ft 2in Williams joined Crewe on a free transfer from Old Trafford in the summer of 2004 having had loan spells with Altrincham and, coincidentally, Coventry.
He is set to face his old club Crewe in Carlisle’s first home fixture of the 2008/9 campaign on August 16.
