Jonny Williams hails ‘good feel’ at Eastleigh after dropping into the National League

Jonny Williams has hailed the “really good” feeling at Eastleigh after making the drop into the National League.

The 32-year-old midfielder has joined the Spitfires on a permanent deal until the end of the season, bringing a wealth of EFL and international experience to the club.

Williams spent the last five seasons in League Two with Swindon Town and Gillingham, making 171 appearances between the two clubs, but has now taken his career into Non-League.

He came through the ranks at Crystal Palace and went on to play in the Premier League before spending time on loan in the Championship with Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland.

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Excited

He left Palace for south London rivals Charlton Athletic in 2018, before joining Cardiff City for brief stint in 2021.

And Williams has been encouraged by what he has found since arriving at the Spitfires.

“There’s a really good feel to the place,” he told the club’s website.

“I am really excited to get going, and hopefully we can have a good season.”

Williams made 29 appearances during Palace’s 2012-13 Championship promotion campaign before going on to play in the top flight of English football.

New chapter

After leaving Selhurst Park, he spent three seasons with Charlton, making 60 appearances and helping the Addicks win promotion back to the Championship in 2019.

Williams then spent time with Cardiff before moving into the fourth tier, but now he will step outside of the Football League for the first time and begin a new chapter with Eastleigh.

Williams also won 33 caps for Wales, appearing at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020 before being called up for the 2022 World Cup.

He announced his retirement from international football in early 2023.

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