Mike Williams (footballer, born 1965)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Williams | ||
| Date of birth | 31 December 1965 | ||
| Place of birth | Mancot, Wales | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Defender, midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Everton | |||
| Hawarden Rangers | |||
| Chester | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1982–1984 | Chester City | 34 | (4) |
| 1984–1991 | Wrexham | 178 | (3) |
| International career | |||
| Wales Youth | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Michael Williams (born 6 February 1965) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played in The Football League for Chester City and Wrexham as both a defender and a midfielder.
Playing career
[edit]Williams had been with Everton as a schoolboy before playing for Hawarden Rangers, where he was spotted by Chester coach Cliff Sear.[2] He made his Football League debut on 8 May 1982 in a 2–1 home defeat to Lincoln City in the number eight shirt.[3] He had spells in and out of the first–team over the next two years, in a side that contained fellow homegrown youngsters such as Paul Blackwell, Peter Bulmer and Peter Zelem.
He made his final appearance for Chester against Bristol City on 7 May 1984 before he was released by manager John McGrath.[4] During his time at Chester, Williams and teammate John Allen had been set to join Chelsea on trial with a view to permanent transfers, but the deals collapsed after Williams was stretchered off in a match against Hartlepool United.[5]
He quickly joined Chester's arch rivals Wrexham, where he quickly established himself in the first-team side. Over the next six years, Williams went on to make 238 first-team appearances for the North Wales club, helping them win the Welsh Cup against Kidderminster Harriers in 1985–86.[6] His final game for the club came in a European Cup Winners Cup tie against Manchester United in October 1990, with a persistent knee injury forcing him to retire from playing the following year.[7]
On 7 April 1992, a testimonial match for Williams was staged between Wrexham and Chester City. A crowd of 1,984 saw a 1–1 draw between Williams' two former clubs.[3]
Honours
[edit]Wrexham
References
[edit]- ^ Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 404. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
- ^ Mike Williams testimonial matchday programme; 7/4/1992; pg. 3
- ^ a b Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. Yore Publications. pp. stats section. ISBN 1-874427-52-6.
- ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. Yore Publications. p. 100. ISBN 1-874427-52-6.
- ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. Yore Publications. p. 99. ISBN 1-874427-52-6.
- ^ Mike Williams testimonial matchday programme; 7/4/1992; pg. 5
- ^ Mike Williams testimonial matchday programme; 7/4/1992; pg. 2
External links
[edit]- Chester City at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database