DANNY Collins believes his old pal Danny Williams can help steer Chester City back into the Football League, writes DAVID TRIGGS.

It was a case of 'friends reunited' at the Deva Stadium a fortnight ago when the 24-year-old Williams joined on a one-month loan from Kidderminster Harriers, linking up with his former Mold Alexandra Under-16s team-mate Collins.

Now a regular fixture at the heart of the Blues' rearguard, Collins said he was delighted when he heard Williams was joining City's Nationwide Conference title quest.

'Danny and me go back a few years,' said Collins, 23. 'I know from our days in junior football what a good player he is and it's great to have him here - even though it's only on a temporary basis.

'I'm sure he'll do well, however long he ends up staying.'

Williams, meanwhile, has made a positive impression in his first two appearances in the City engine room, featuring in 2-1 wins against Dagenham & Redbridge and Woking.

And the fans appear to have taken to him too, despite the fact he spent two years with Wrexham - the Blues' deadly rivals.

Said Williams: 'I was desperate for a move back to my roots, so the fact I once played for Wrexham didn't play on my mind.

'Having been at Kidderminster since 2001, I wanted to come back to where my family and friends are. My Kidderminster contract runs out in the summer and I told the club I wasn't going to stay.

'When the chance to move to Chester came about, I jumped at it.'

Born in Wrexham in 1979, the initial promise Williams showed as a footballer earned him Flintshire schools honours and a move to Liverpool.

After being released by the Anfield club in 1999, the left-footed midfielder was snapped up by Wrexham. He made more than 50 first-team appearances for the Dragons and played six games on loan at Doncaster before moving to Kidderminster.

Williams was initially taken on a month's loan by the Blues but, if he makes a significant impression on manager Mark Wright, he could extend his stay until the end of the season, or even make the move permanent.

He said: 'I'm not pinning my hopes on anything yet. I just want to do well while I'm here and we'll see where things go from there.'

Williams remembers playing against - and with - Collins during their time on the Clwyd Junior League scene.

'We had a year together at Mold Alex and I probably played against him a few times too,' he said. 'Danny's always had a good left foot on him and I'm not surprised to see him doing so well.'

One man who managed both Collins and Williams during their spell with Mold Alex is Steve Griffith, now chairman of Rhydymwyn FC.

Steve, 52 and from Mold, says he is proud to see the two local lads doing so well.

'I watched Chester's game at Woking on Sky Sports on Saturday and it was very pleasing to see both Dannys playing so well,' he said. 'You could see the understanding between them growing as the game went on.

'It would be great if the pair of them finished the season with Conference title medals.'