Jonny Williams’ future at Swindon Town has been up in the air for the past season, and with the Robins’ top goalscorer’s contract set to expire this summer, what shirt will he be wearing next season?
The 29-year-old has been one of Swindon’s most exciting assets in a disappointing season, after joining the club on a free transfer in 2021. With the experience of playing in the Premier League, the drop-down to League Two was a surprising move at the time for the Welshman.
Williams’ first season in Wiltshire was a successful one, with the versatile midfielder getting 13 goal contributions across all competitions, showing his quality early on in Ben Garner’s side. However, after a penalty-shootout loss in the playoff semi-finals to Port Vale, things started to fall apart at Swindon.
Entering the new season, the Robins had a change in management and directors, but the Welsh international remained at the club despite interest from others. On an individual level, Williams had a great season scoring 10 goals in the league, which was the club’s highest-scoring player.
Swindon would go on to finish the season 10th place in League Two, and with Williams’ contract now set to expire, let’s find out some of the teams who could be fighting over his services.
Swindon Town
Kicking things off, to no surprise, is the midfielder’s current team Swindon. While the Town has failed in their goal of scoring promotion over the last two seasons, Williams has played some of his most consistent and impressive football over that span.
While Williams has experience playing at much higher levels, no place may feel like home to him more than Swindon due to the trust the club has in him.
With a new manager already set in stone with the recent appointment of Micheal Flynn, that may come as an advantage to the club. Flynn should get the opportunity to discuss his vision with the highly-rated player early on, clearing up any unknown that there may be between the two parties.
Wrexham AFC
If Williams fancied staying in the division then no opportunity may be brighter than the National League Champions. With Hollywood owners trying to convince ex-Wales stars out of retirement, Williams could be a perfect fit in that sense.
Stealing one of their division rival’s best players would be a big eye-opener for the Red Dragons, showing they mean business in the Football League.
Playing alongside Elliot Lee could be a great way to get the best out of both players, creating a forbidden attack for the newcomers of League Two.
Bristol Rovers
While it would be very controversial amongst Swindon fans to join a rival club, the Gas could be a good destination for Williams if he wants a step up to League One. There may not be a serious connection between the player and the club, however, former midfielder Joey Barton could be able to teach the Welshman a thing or two.
Rovers are coming off a year where they fought off relegation after a surprise promotion to the division and will now want to move up the league table.
With Harry Anderson, Grant Ward and Paul Coutts’s futures unclear, there may be a space in the midfielder that needs to be filled. Williams has the ability to play multiple positions behind the striker and would fit behind League One Player of the Year Aaron Collins very nicely.
Gillingham
The third League Two club on this list, new owners and a promising second-half finish to the season has Gill fans thinking they can challenge near the top next year.
Residing in the county of Kent where Williams was born, a move to Gillingham could potentially be on the cards if the player wanted to return home.
Already making a statement signing in Conor Masterson and being linked with the majority of heavy hitters under the sun, Williams could be the threatening goalscoring No.10 that Gills lacked this season.
Altomitos FC
Our final potential destination for Williams is an unusual team in Greece. Playing in the Super League, which is the highest division of football in the country, the link between the two is former Wales manager Chris Coleman.
In a league which could see him play in European competitions, Altomitos finished the past season 8th out of 14 teams.
Previously working under Coleman when playing for the Wales national side, the former boss played Williams more times than any other Wales manager and gave him his debut for the nation. If Williams feels his time this past season at Swindon took it out of him in English football, then a reunion could be on the cards in sunny Greece.
What are your thoughts on these destinations and where do you think Williams will end up…
I think you will find Hibernian a more likely destination if Willo doesn’t go to Wrexham. His agent will be able to have an auction going with multiple takers.