Every Team Needs a Willetts

By Simon Wright

I first saw Halesowen’s new permanent signing a decade ago in August 2015.   Phoenix club Hereford were at Stourport for an early Midland League match. Over 1,000 travelling supporters were expectant of a comfortable victory.  They were to be shocked rigid as Stourport won 2-1.  The visitors could not get their attack going due to a giant pest in the home defence. He won everything much to crowd fury.  I wasn’t the only person asking “who the heck is that?” and checking their phone to find the name of Jamie Willets.   The defender was by then in his fifth season with Swifta, having joined back in 2011. Interestingly he’s previously played for neighbours Cradley and possibly Tividale too.

The Hereford manager Peter Beadle also noted his name and quickly made an approach to the Swifts. Jamie was genuinely happy with Stourport. Yet the opportunity was too big to turn down and so he joined the Edgar Street club. With Willets’ aerial power and other new signings, the Bulls went on to win virtually everything possible that season.

When the big defender decided to move on, he did so in style with individual goodbyes.   I was utterly startled that Jamie not only knew my name but took the time to find me and shake my hand. I get it that learning names is part of his day job but even so that was a unique class act.

The defender was off to Alvechurch where he stayed for 7 years (bar an ill-judged move to Stourbridge.) He captained the club for much of that period as Church were promoted out of Step 5 and step 4.   There’s an internet video of Jamie performing his “new player song” on the team coach. For many, the rite of passage is an anxious time but the big defender owned the whole process with style. Isn’t that exactly the sort of player you want in your team?

After Alvechurch came Step 3 Tamworth in February 2023. Manager Andy Peaks said “he is a great leader and highly respected in the league.” Jamie added another Champions medal to his collection two months ago.  At which point I showed my ignorance by telling anyone who would listen that “Step 2 was too much for Willets.. (Or words to that effect)” Nine months later, the same player captained the Lambs to the Step 2 Championship.  Or dear. My credibility blown.

Willets started Tamworth’s Step One season as first choice defender. Every game he was up against full time opposition. He may have been there still but for a knee injury. Other players took his shirt and performed so well there was no way back into the team. Instead, he lent his skills and experience to Halesowen where he shone. A permanent deal always looked likely as it suited all parties.  Jamie’s been part of five promotion teams already and played at Wembley in the FA Vase. He’s only 32 so he has years ahead io him in the game. Every team needs a Willets.

Jamie’s day job is with the Bewdley School and Sixth Form where he’s worked his way up over a decade into the position Head of Department for Business and Economics. Have to assume he has some involvement with the school football teams too? The school notes proudly that “although he has fixtures over the country, he is always back at the school at 7.30am for planning and preparation.”

 Jamie married his long-term partner Harriet last month and the couple live in Bartley Green with their young daughter. Welcome back to the Yeltz Jamie. Just like you’ve never been away.