ANTONY KAY has revealed the key role former Barnsley teammate Robbie Williams played in bringing him to Town.

The 26-year-old Tranmere midfielder became Galpharm boss Lee Clark’s first close-season recruit this week when he signed a two-year deal.

The move has reunited him with Town left-back Williams, with the two playing alongside each other at Oakwell, where both came through the academy ranks.

Kay left Oakwell in 2007 after making 168 appearances and scoring 12 goals, and went on to net 19 times in 96 games for Tranmere, including a double in the 3-1 League I win over Town in Birkenhead in March.

It was after that match that Barnsley-born Kay first got the hint Town were interested.

"I was talking to Robbie, and he said Lee Clark had been asking him about me," explained Kay, who turned down the chance of a new deal at Tranmere and also had talks with promoted Peterborough.

"Robbie told me a bit about Town and it stuck in my mind, so I was pleased when Lee Clark contacted me after the season had ended (Tranmere narrowly missed out on a play-off berth).

"We met up and it has all followed on from there. He didn’t really need to sell the club to me but when I met up with Lee and Dean Hoyle (Town’s chairman) you could see the desire they both have.

"They have a really firm idea of where they want to go – they want to take the club places and as a player that is what you want to hear. I want to be a part of a team that achieves those goals.

"Every time I have played Huddersfield Town I have been impressed with their team. They have good players and they have been unlucky over the years.

"When you add the new players the manager is looking to bring in to add to the current squad, I think we have a really good chance of promotion next season."

Kay played as a centre-back at Barnsley before Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore made him into a midfielder.

"I think I’d class myself as a midfielder now, but the manager knows I can play centre-half if he needs me to," he added.

"There is quite a bit of competition for the midfield positions here but that can only be a good thing as you cannot slack off for a minute in training or you will lose your place.

"Obviously I know Robbie, but I’ve also met a lot of the others after playing against them.

"When you join a new club, you cannot wait to get started and I am counting down the days until pre-season training starts.

"We’ve got things sorted pretty early, and I want to start now, but I’ll have to play the waiting game for a month!