Williams Disapointed with Stoke snub

Last updated : 10 June 2003 By Rob Stanway
Mark Williams
Mark Williams

Williams told icons: "I spoke to Tony Pulis recently and he informed me that the club could not offer me a new contract. To say that I was both surprised and gutted is an understatement."

The 32-year-old explained: "When I left Wimbledon to join Stoke for the last two months of the season I was told by the manager that if the club avoided relegation they would offer me a two year contract.

"As everybody knows we stayed up, but unfortunately for some unknown reason that two-year deal never materialised.

"I'm upset because I liked it there and would have loved to have stayed. But sadly that's football and I now have to get on with it.

"To be honest, my time at Stoke didn't really pan out as I expected it to anyway. I expected to be play all ten of the games that were remaining in the season, but instead I was only picked for five of the away fixtures.

"The manager changed his tactics at home by playing with one less centre half and that meant I had to sit on the bench for all of the games at the Brittannia Stadium. That was very frustrating.

"Despite my disappointment I'd like to thank everyone at Stoke for making me feel so welcome during my short time there.

"It's a lovely club and I'm genuinely disappointed to be leaving. All I can do now is my pick myself up and get my career going again.

"I've already spoken to a couple of clubs, so hopefully I'll have something fixed up before pre-season starts in July."