23 year old winger Tom Williams was mentioned earlier in the season by another former Blue Jack Higgins and the now Ramsbottom United wide man talked to the website about his year at the club.

During his one season in 2010/11, Williams became an instant hero at the club, picking up goals, assists and even an unusual nickname in the process. The name ‘Rocket’ was given to the Bolton born midfielder during his time at Shawbridge and it has stuck ever since;

“Despite not winning anything and narrowly missing out on a play-off spot it was a good season. My fondest memory was probably with the fans, they really got behind us and it was pretty special. They really supported me and one fan in particular, Chris Musson, nicknamed me ‘The Rocket’.”

“Some of my friends who used to love watching me down at Shawbridge still bring it up today. It started in the pre-season as ‘livewire pocket battleship’ then shortened to ‘pocket rocket’ and finally just ‘the rocket’.”

Before signing for Clitheroe, Williams played for Rossendale United, with brief stints at Bamber Bridge and Radcliffe Borough. He started as an YT at Wigan Athletic before dropping into non-league football aged 17.

After two seasons he decided to join Xavier University on a football scholarship in the USA, however it fell through. After returning the winger had a turbulent season and was at a real low point in my career before Clitheroe helped him fall in love with the beautiful game again;

“After my turbulent season, where I ended up missing three months of football and fell out of love with the game I decided to ring Pete Smith who was then manager of Clitheroe. I got his number through club captain Kevin Brown who I knew from Rossendale. Pete invited me down for pre-season and it went from there.”

Scoring 10 goals during the 2010 pre-season and 12 in the regular season for the Blues, helping the team to an impressive 6th placed finish.

Two of Williams best goals for the club came in the same game during an amazing comeback win against league rivals Radcliffe Borough as he said; “We were playing Radcliffe Borough away. I felt I had a point to prove in that fixture and scored two in a 3-2 victory having been 2-0 down. The third was from a header, which was heading for the bottom corner for my hat-trick when someone else put it in and stole it off me!”

Picking up man of the match award against Chorley FC that campaign aswell as scoring two in two minutes against a Halifax Town side featuring Jamie Vardy. Williams was sorely missed when he departed the club to the aforementioned Chorley.

He went on to say; “Kevin Brown was always supportive, as was Ryan Fisher. Jack Higgins was great; we were the young ones in the team and helped each other. His performances that season eventually earned him the skippers’ armband. I could also give a nod to Phil Eastwood, the assistant manager who has looked out for me throughout my career and been a huge influence."

"Danny Williams was the star man in the team and he influenced me to be better on the pitch with his own performances. However, Chairman Carl Garner was probably the biggest influence at that time. He always believed in me and we had a good relationship.”

In non-league football it is common place for many of the side to celebrate wins…and the occasional loss with a few drinks and a good laugh. Williams told the site he was friends with the whole team and loved the fans at Shawbridge;

“First of all the dressing room was top drawer. We had a great mix of young and old. There was some supreme talent in that team, from front to back. There were no egos and we all played for each other. Secondly, the fans were amazing. I remember one particular match away in Whitby – they travelled in numbers and made themselves heard.”