Harry Williams' Alvechurch return will show how far Walsall youngster has come

On just his fourth EFL appearance, Williams marshalled the threat of Bantams danger man Andy Cook with relative ease. Time and time again, the 21-year-old defender was first to every ball and kept the former Walsall striker at bay in open play to the delight of the travelling faithful.

For his post-match interview, Williams strolled out sporting a short-sleeved shirt, shorts and a beaming smile. The weather was of little concern to Williams for he was a man purely living in the moment.

It was hard to imagine that Williams had been plying his trade in the seventh-tier of English football just months before.

And while his debut season at Bescot may have been curtailed by injury, his homecoming against Alvechurch at Lye Meadow on Saturday will provide him with an occasion to reflect on just how far he has come.

"I am delighted to see him playing back at the Lye Meadow albeit against us rather for than for us," Alvechurch sporting director Mark Fogarty joyfully exclaims.

"We're also very proud as a football club for Harry himself."

Williams arrived at Lye Meadow in the summer of 2022 having played for Albion and Burnley at youth level.

Not only did Williams take the decision to drop down to the Southern League Premier Division Central but he embraced the challenge wholeheartedly.

He initially found himself behind experienced defensive pair Ash Carter and Jamie Willet in the pecking order having suffered concussion on his debut in a 3-0 victory over Stourbridge.

Yet rather than feeling disheartened, Williams applied himself with complete professionalism throughout as he fought his way into contention.

"He was a shy lad but also very intelligent and articulate," former Alvechurch boss Ian Long notes. "He had to bide his time to begin with but he never once gave the impression that he was big headed.

"Instead he was very grounded. He was a pleasure to manage and he was always eager to improve. He would constantly come to speak to us and would be armed with questions about what we wanted him to do and how he could enhance his game.

"Harry was up against two experienced non-league campaigners in Ash Carter and Jamie Willet. He wanted to learn off them because there is quite a difference in non-league with the way teams play more direct.

"His aerial prowess was probably one of his best features, although he is also very good on the deck, but non-league suited him down to the ground."

Williams starred from the bench in Alvechurch's historic FA Cup victory over Cheltenham Town and acquired a regular place in the team at the turn of the year.

Willet's winter departure to Tamworth cleared the way for Williams and he seized the opportunity with both hands. He finished his solitary season at Alvechurch with 39 appearances and even chipped in with three goals in the process.

Naturally his performances attracted attention from the levels above and when Walsall came knocking, Alvechurch nor Long were ever going to stand in his way.

"There were a number of clubs sniffing around him," Long reveals. "He had a brief trial at Leicester City but unfortunately he wasn't successful. But the chance to join Walsall was a better opportunity because he would be playing senior football as opposed to under-21s.

"Plus he is a local lad coming from Kidderminster. Walsall are a good established EFL club who want to kick on and get back to League One.

"When he had the opportunity to go to the EFL, we felt it was too good of an opportunity for him to turn down and were happy for him to leave as a management team."

A year on, Williams' story still resonates with those looking to follow in his footsteps at Lye Meadow. In the words of sporting director Fogarty: "Young players are now aiming to become the next Harry Williams."