The Welshman may well have scored the goals that drew Pools level at Cardiff and put arch-rivals Darlington to the sword, but Williams could well be facing a very different challenge next year.



Horden want Williams to lead the line in the Northern League Division Two as they launch an ambitious five-year plan to reach the Unibond League.

Colliers boss Simon Corbett is vying with Sunderland RCA to secure the signature of Williams, who decided to quit the professional game at the end of the season after a spell at Wrexham.

But Corbett is quietly confident that the facilities on offer at Welfare Park will sway the 32-year-old to make the move to east Durham after making initial contract with the ex-Pools man.

He said: "I would love to get him up to the ground because I think the facilities on offer would sway him.

"It is our centenary season this year and if we could get a name like Eifion, it would be superb and would get the Pools fans up here."

Corbett, who played in goal for Pools at the Northern Masters earlier this month, wants Williams to complement a host of ex-professionals who have arrived at Horden this summer.

He has already snapped up ex-Coventry player Shaun Hope, former Wrexham midfielder Steve Thomas, ex-Pools winger Stuart Brightwell and former Luton midfielder Shaun Ross.

Chairman Norman Stephens is helping to finance the moves by bringing in new sponsors to the club and Corbett said hopes are high for a club that finished fifth in the league last season.

Corbett said: "This club is massive and should not be in the Northern League. It should be in the Unibond at least.

"There have been a few managers here and it has not worked out for one reason or another.

"But all of our summer signings are Northern League First Division players at least and could go higher."

If Williams signs, he will spearhead a 4-5-1 formation and replace prolific striker Afolabi Shekoni, who enjoyed trials with Sunderland and Pools last season.

Corbett thinks Williams' work-rate would be perfect for his system and is not expecting the Victoria Park favourite to have any problems adapting to the hustle and bustle of non-league football.

"It could be physical and you always get your share of hardmen," said Corbett.

"We found that with Foli after he got a bit of coverage from his trial at Sunderland .

"But I remember when Bernie Slaven was playing for Billingham Synthonia and he gave as good as he got. Most of these ex-pros know how to deal with themselves."

He added: "We try to have at least three up there when we are going forward and when we lose the ball we drop back and get everyone behind the ball. Eifion would be ideal for that system as a lone striker."

Click for latest transfer gossip>>