Everton fans have been giving their thoughts after learning that centre-back Ashley Williams will spend the season on loan with Stoke City and most are happy about the news.
The Wales international captain moved to the Toffees in 2016, signing a three-year contract, and has since played 73 times for the Goodison Park outfit in all competitions.
However, he played an increasingly limited role last season as both Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce often preferred the likes of Michael Keane and Ramiro Funes Mori alongside Phil Jagielka.
And it is clear that new boss Marco Silva does not see Williams as part of his first-team plans at Goodison Park either.
The Welshman has therefore been allowed to leave and will join relegated Stoke in the Championship as they bid to make a return to the top flight under new manager Gary Rowett.
It marks a return to his footballing roots of sorts for Williams, who began his senior career with Hednesford Town in Staffordshire having been released by West Bromwich Albion as a youngster.
Plenty of Everton fans have weighed in with heavy criticism of the 33-year-old, arguing that he showed a poor attitude and a decline in performance as a result.
They singled Williams out for incidents in Europa League games against Lyon and his Premier League sending off against Burnley as actions not befitting those of a club captain.
They are pleased to see him leaving and with one year left on his contract, expect that they have seen the last of him wearing an Everton shirt.
While some fans were prepared to wish him all the best – particularly on the back of an excellent first season at the club – the overwhelming sentiment among supporters is one of happiness that he is leaving.
Here are some of those tweets.
I wouldn't worry about Ashley Williams too much. Thanks to Stoke for taking him off our hands #EFC
— Mel Coupland (@MelCoupland) August 3, 2018
So glad Ashley Williams has left Everton. He was a liability. #efc
— james ward (@wardenio) August 3, 2018
Ashley Williams must be one of the most disappointing signings of the past 30 years for Everton. #efc
— Paul Jackson (@p1878JK) August 2, 2018
Lots rightly celebrating the exit of Ashley Williams from Everton—largely due to a poor attitude and the resulting performances. So the notion that we’d replace him with the same set of issues amplified on big money in the form of Marcos Rojo absolutely mystifies me. #EFC
— Rob Vera (@TheRobVera) August 2, 2018
Ashley Williams embarrassed our club while wearing the captain’s arm band. I could not be happier that he’s done one. I’m also pleasantly surprised we didn’t have to pay anyone to take him off our hands! #efc
— David Norbury (@davidnorbury9) August 2, 2018
Everton there tweeting the single good moment Ashley Williams provided the club in his two year stint.
Thanks for the goal against Arsenal, Ash, but on account of your diabolic sending off against Burnley last season while wearing the armband, thank you for nothing else. #efc
— Elliott Cuff (@CuffWrites) August 2, 2018
As soon as Ashley Williams thought he was bob Marley his Everton career was definitely over #EFC #NoWilliamsNoCry
— Chris (@BinManChris) August 2, 2018
I was at the Lyon game and I’ve never seen an #EFC captain behave as appallingly as Ashley Williams that evening. Pleased to see him leave, not the quality we need #COYB
— Daniel Button (@D_Button) August 2, 2018
No Ashley Williams for 12 months? GET IN THERE!!!!!!! #EFChttps://t.co/LswPyVnpt3
— Tom Carley (@TomCarley11) August 2, 2018
Good riddance to Ashley Williams. His Everton career was over when he repeatedly elbowed a Burnley player to deliberately get himself sent off. Not fit to wear the shirt. #EFC
— ᴛᴇʀʀʏ ᴍᴄᴀʟʟɪꜱᴛᴇʀ (@terrymcallister) August 2, 2018
Not even assed if @Everton don’t sign any more players now. Best transfer window ever to be getting rid of Ashley Williams and Kevin Mirrallas. Two rotten eggs out the door, see ya! #efc #coyb #everton
— Greg (@gregneill) August 2, 2018
Wish Ashley Williams all the best at Stoke. Decent first season, followed by a poor one. But he was by no means alone. Don't agree with some of the vitriol he's receiving tonight #efc
— Nick Grounds (@nicogrounds) August 2, 2018
The deal to send Ashley #Williams to #Stoke is complete, in essence marking the end of his #Everton career as his contract runs out at the end of the loan. All the best Ashley! #EFC #loan #transfer https://t.co/o9n6DoEuP6
— The Black Watch (@EFCBlackWatch) August 2, 2018
And just like that….Ashley Williams is no longer an @Everton player. So long…its been…interesting. Best of luck! #EFC #Everton
— Brett (@BrettSearcy) August 2, 2018
