Williams settles for place in the sun

EX-PAT Oldhamer Ian Bostock has become friends with former Athletic footballer Gary Williams after both built a new life in sunny Spain.

And it was through football - the sons of Ian and Gary play for the same team near Malaga - that the pair were united.

Ian said: “I was sat with Gary’s wife Melanie watching our boys playing and she asked me where I came from.

“When I replied Oldham she told me her husband used to play for Latics and that I might know him.

“I must admit I didn’t remember Gary Williams playing for Latics, but I told her my brother Gary would do.”

Gary Bostock, whom Athletic fans know as ‘Sinbad’, was a close friend of Williams during his days at Boundary Park and often visited him when he was licensee of a pub in Bristol after he retired from playing.

Williams left for Spain two years ago after tiring of the pub business.

He has no regrets, saying the outdoor life was appealing, especially for sons Harry (12) and George (7), who are both promising footballers.

Harry, a right-back, has already represented the Malaga provincial side, while George is a left winger, who is shining for his team at Benamiel.

William has alerted head of youth Tony Philliskirk about a number of talented youngsters in Spain.

He said: “In England, Harry trained for one hour each week with his team and then played on a Sunday, often on a mud heap.

“Here he trains three times a week for one-and-a-half hours each time and plays on an Astroturf surface.

“The Spanish players are technically very gifted and Harry has had to catch up with his team-mates.”

Gary has been doing some seasonal work in a restaurant where Melanie is employed full-time as a cook.