TALENTED Barnsley player Robbie Williams is on the verge of a move to Town.
The 22-year-old left-back – who scored in the play-off final while on loan to Blackpool last season – is set for final talks with Town manager Andy Ritchie.
Barnsley and Town have already agreed an undisclosed fee for the Pontefract-born player, who was a target for Championship Scunthorpe and Blackpool and also for Oldham in League I.
He is primed to join the Galpharm squad, however, thanks to cash generated by the sale of Gary Taylor-Fletcher to Blackpool on Monday.
Ritchie hopes to have Williams – who also netted against Town at the Galpharm last season in Blackpool’s 2-0 win in April – signed and training by the weekend.
That would be a big boost for the start of pre-season matches at AFC Emley next Wednesday (7.30) and for the League I campaign which starts at home to Yeovil on August 11.
Following Danny Adams’ departure last season when Peter Jackson was in charge, teenager Joe Skarz filled the left-back berth towards the end of last season and impressed.
He is still developing, though, so the arrival of Williams will give him more time to come through and the benefit of knowledge from a player who has enjoyed promotions in each of the last two seasons with Barnsley (under Ritchie, of course) and Blackpool, where manager Simon Grayson was keen to keep him in a squad which already includes ex-Town men Taylor-Fletcher and goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.
Williams netted six goals last season from left-back and left midfield in 17 appearances for Barnsley and 12 on loan at Bloomfield Road.
The highlight of his stay on the Lancashire coast was his free-kick goal against Yeovil in the League I play-off final at Wembley.
Barnsley manager Simon Davey today confirmed a fee had been agreed with Town for Williams, who has been at Oakwell as a pro since 2002.
He also confirmed Williams has had talks with Town after racking up a total of 90 senior League and Cup outings in which he has netted 10 goals.
His versatility means he would be ready cover for Danny Schofield on the lefthand side of midfield.
l Schofield pledge – Page 46.
