WALES v AUSTRIA: Neco Williams - family's pride in the kid from Cefn

Wales face Austria hoping to keep their World Cup dreams alive in tonight’s Cardiff sell-out where Neco - the kid from the Cefn - will have the whole nation and his family cheering him on all the way.

Qatar is the ultimate prize destination for Wales, who haven’t played in the World Cup Finals since a young unknown teenage striker called Pele knocked them out at the last-eight stages at Sweden 1958.

Wales must beat Austria first and then the winners of the delayed Scotland against Ukraine tie which has been shelved due the devastation in the war-torn country.

But the Williams family - and there’ll be seven of them up in the stands at the Cardiff City Stadium – will be keeping everything crossed.

Neco with mum Emma and dad Lee

“I’m nervous just talking about it,” said Lee, who will be heading south with wife Emma and daughters Taya, Sarae and Ocea where they hope to meet up with Neco’s younger brother, Keelan.

“I know Neco’s buzzing about the game and he can’t wait to play.

“Watching him against Austria and watching him in any game is amazing but to think that he could be playing in a World Cup - and Wales haven’t been in one since 1958 - is unreal.

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“To get to Qatar would be something else. I’ve actually been there to watch Neco play in a tournament. He was about 12 and it was with Liverpool. Another trip to watch him in the World Cup? Of course, I’d be there!

“It’s games like these that make you think that all the sacrifices we made as parents over the years have been worthwhile.”

Attacking wing-back Williams has also made massive sacrifices this season after penning a last-ditch deadline day loan move to Championship leaders Fulham from Liverpool.

Lee said: “It all happened last minute and we spoke about what sacrifices he’ll be making by not being able to play in the Carabao Cup Final with Liverpool or in the Premier League with Liverpool.

“Jurgen Klopp said the decision was Neco’s and the lad just wanted to play football and he’s doing that at Fulham. And he’s loving it.”

Williams, who will celebrate his 21st birthday next month, has teamed up with another Wrexham-born Wales star, Harry Wilson, in London’s West End.

“He’s loving it in London,” added Lee, who saw his son smash in a wonder goal in the recent 5-1 thrashing of Swansea City.

“Playing for Fulham suits his style. He loves attacking and that’s what he does with Wales.

“I read a piece talking about the Austria game and which players are going to excite the fans and the article put Neco ahead of the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. Now that did make me feel proud!”

The Williams family and the close-knit Cefn Mawr community will all be rooting for Neco tonight with thousands of North Walians making the trip for one of the biggest games in the country’s footballing history.

The Williams family showed their love and pride for Neco last year when penning a letter to The Athletic ahead of the European Championships.

“Well, what can we say except we, your mum and dad, are feeling ever so proud of you?” the letter read.

“So is your big sister Taya, your little brother Keelan and your two younger sisters Sarae and Ocea.

Neco Williams

“The whole family is buzzing, as is absolutely everyone here in Cefn Mawr, your home village in north Wales.

“Everyone who knows you is bursting with pride.

“As your parents, we have to pinch ourselves knowing you are part of the Wales team. It really is surreal seeing you living your dream as a professional footballer.

“You have never lost touch with your roots or your community.

“That is one thing we love about you, Neco. You love coming back to Cefn and will do so as often as possible.”