“THIS is probably the only thing I haven’t done at Barnsley,” says Jordan Williams about the upcoming play-off final at Wembley.
The 23-year-old right wing-back has been with the Reds for five years and is the longest-serving player at Oakwell.
“I have had promotion, relegation, stayed up on the last day.
“Wembley is the one that will top it all off and hopefully we can get the result there.”
Williams was part of the squad that was promoted automatically in 2019, with a game to spare as their rivals dropped points in their games in hand.
“I think I was just at home.
“We spoke on the group chat, met up and had a little party.
“At Wembley everyone will be together, with family and friends, so it will be even better if we can win.”
Williams came through the academy at his hometown club Huddersfield who he watched win the League One play-off final in 2012 and the Championship final five years later.
“I have been to two finals with Huddersfield. They won them both on penalties.
“Hopefully we can win in normal time because it’s a very tense feeling for the fans.
“I imagine the fans will feel a lot of pressure and we will too.”
Williams played in the Championship play-offs two years ago, as the Reds lost to Swansea in the semi-finals.
“I think it helps. It’s a bit different now because we have a full house and then it was the first game back after Covid and there was only a few thousand.
“But it was electric so to have 30-odd thousand at Wembley will be amazing.”
Williams is looking forward to the South Yorkshire derby with Sheffield Wednesday.
“It’s obviously a big game but it’s just another game. It doesn’t matter if it is Wednesday or Peterborough – it’s still a massive game. Hopefully we can put a performance in that is good enough to get the win.”
Williams has been almost an ever-present for Barnsley this season after injury issues previously.
“The main thing was staying fit, I have proven that this year. Hopefully I have been consistent, adding goals and assists. The team has been good in every department and that shows with us being in the final at Wembley.”
