Goal-getter Jordan joins County ranks
COUNTY continued with the strengthening of the ranks this week, as The Hatters moved to sign forward Jordan Williams from AFC Fylde for an undisclosed fee.
Williams penned a twoyear deal at Edgeley Park, having previously worked with boss Jim Gannon at Northwich Victoria back in 2015.
The 27-year-old opted to depart The Coasters after one season at Mill Farm, scoring fifteen goals for the campaign as Jim Bentley’s side dropped into the National League North.
Whilst the former Rochdale man is a familiar face to Gannon, Williams also links back up with former Northwich and Barrow teammate Richie Bennett at County.
“All the staff are very pleased to have Jordan,” said Gannon.
“We have worked with him before at Northwich and really like him as a person and a player. I believe he is a brilliant addition to our current group and the Club.
“I think our fans will take to Jordan, due to his committed, honest, hardworking approach to everything he does. It is exciting to be able to work with him again.”
Gannon reserved a mention for Director of Football Simon Wilson, who has worked side-byside with the former Motherwell chief this summer as County have added no fewer than seven new additions to the squad.
Wilson joined The Hatters earlier this year, having spent time at both Man City and Sunderland as Chief Football Officer – and Gannon was quick to acknowledge Wilson’s work.
“Jordan brings a level of performance and goals which marks him out as an outstanding performer at National League,” he said.
“We identified Jordan as the number one target for left attacker and Simon has worked tirelessly on making this deal happen.
“In our ideal squad, we wanted a left attacker who had pace and directness to penetrate, but who also possessed the ability to create and score consistently. A constant threat. Jordan brings that.
“As part of our overall squad planning Simon recognised that we needed at least three goal scorers capable of reaching a large percentage of the team’s goals.
“We believe Jordan will be one of them, and potentially within the group we have up to five players capable of reaching double figures within the team.
“Jordan’s ability to penetrate and his technical ability from open play and set plays also brings an added dimension to other important aspects of our game which will be important to ensuring our success on the pitch.”
The move represents another blow for relegated Fylde, who also saw former Hatter Tom Walker depart for Harrogate Town this week.
Bentley’s side, now adjusting to life back in the sixth tier following a hugely disappointing campaign, went as far as to confirm on their official website that County striker Nyal Bell was originally intended to be a part of the deal for Williams, along with “a very, very good offer”.
The Coasters went on to reveal that they were unable to agree terms with Bell on a season-long loan deal, however added that they still expected a deal to be done for the young forward.