Andy Williams (footballer born 1962)
Encyclopedia
Andrew "Andy" Williams is a former footballer, who played for 278 league games in an eleven year professional career in the Football League
. He turned out for Coventry City
, Rotherham United
, Leeds United
, Port Vale
, Notts County
, Huddersfield Town
, Hull City
and Scarborough
. He also played for non-league sides Dudley Town
, Solihull Borough
, Guiseley
, Gainsborough Trinity
, and Matlock Town
. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year
for the Third Division
in 1987–88, and helped Leeds to the Second Division
title in 1989–90.
and Solihull Borough
, before he was signed by First Division
side Coventry City
in 1985 for a fee of £20,000, at the age of 23. He played ten games for the club, before he was allowed to sign with Rotherham United
of the Third Division
in October 1986. The "Millers" were relegated at the end of the 1987–88 season after losing to Swansea City
at the semi-final stage of the Fourth Division
play-offs. Despite this, Williams was still chosen in the PFA Team of the Year
for his strong performances throughout the season. His performances also won him a £175,000 move to Leeds United
in November 1988, then a Second Division
side. He went on to make nineteen appearances in 1988–89, eleven of which were as a substitute. He was the first signing of manager Howard Wilkinson
.
Leeds won promotion back to the top-flight after topping the Second Division table at the end of the 1989–90 season; Williams made thirteen league starts, scoring two goals (against Watford
and Barnsley
). His first team appearances were limited by a groin injury. After spending five months out with his groin problem he then suffered a fractured cheekbone after teammate Vinnie Jones
accidentally hit him in the face with a cricket bat
. United then went on to power to a fourth place finish in the top-flight in 1990–91, with Williams making five starts and seven substitute appearances. Restricted to the odd appearance by the form of the Leeds midfield, in December 1991 he was loaned out to Second Division side Port Vale
. He played five games for the "Valiants", who would finish the season in last place; in contrast Williams returned to Elland Road
, where manager Howard Wilkinson was in the process of bringing Leeds the First Division title. Williams would be gone before the end of the season however, and in February 1992 he was sold on to Notts County
for a £115,000 fee. County were struggling in the First Division, and lost their top-flight status at the end of the 1991–92 season.
After a mid-table finish in 1992–93, County loaned Williams out to Second Division Huddersfield Town
at the start of the 1993–94 campaign. He played six games for the "Terriers", before he was allowed to re-sign with former club Rotherham United in October 1993. At the end of the 1994–95 season, Williams moved on to league rivals Hull City
– who had tried to sign him in 1988 but lost out to Leeds. Hull finished bottom of the league in 1995–96, and so were relegated into the Third Division. Williams left Hull but remained in the fourth tier, signing non-contract terms with Scarborough
. He made his debut in a goalless home draw with Cardiff City
on 17 August, and also played in a League Cup
draw at former club Hull three days later. This was to be his last professional game, though he did later turn out for non-league clubs Guiseley
, Gainsborough Trinity
, and Matlock Town
.
. He is a West Bromwich Albion
supporter.
with Leeds United
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
. He turned out for Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
, Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
, Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
, Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
, Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
and Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
. He also played for non-league sides Dudley Town
Dudley Town F.C.
Dudley Town F.C. are a football club based in Dudley, West Midlands, England. The club is one of the oldest non-league teams in the Midlands region, having been established in 1888...
, Solihull Borough
Solihull Borough F.C.
Solihull Borough F.C. was an English football club from Solihull. In 2007 the club merged with Moor Green to form a new club, Solihull Moors.-History:...
, Guiseley
Guiseley A.F.C.
Guiseley A.F.C. are an English football club from Guiseley, West Yorkshire, England.-History:Founded in 1909 by a local group of enthusiasts, the club’s first success came in 1913 when they won the local Wharfedale League...
, Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
, and Matlock Town
Matlock Town F.C.
Matlock Town F.C. is an English football club based at Causeway Lane in Matlock, Derbyshire.-History:The club was established in the late 1870s and have competed in the Central Alliance and the Midland Counties League before reaching the Northern Premier League.In the 1974–75 season the club won...
. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year
PFA Team of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
for the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
in 1987–88, and helped Leeds to the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
title in 1989–90.
Playing career
Williams started in non-league with Dudley TownDudley Town F.C.
Dudley Town F.C. are a football club based in Dudley, West Midlands, England. The club is one of the oldest non-league teams in the Midlands region, having been established in 1888...
and Solihull Borough
Solihull Borough F.C.
Solihull Borough F.C. was an English football club from Solihull. In 2007 the club merged with Moor Green to form a new club, Solihull Moors.-History:...
, before he was signed by First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
side Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
in 1985 for a fee of £20,000, at the age of 23. He played ten games for the club, before he was allowed to sign with Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
of the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
in October 1986. The "Millers" were relegated at the end of the 1987–88 season after losing to Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
at the semi-final stage of the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
play-offs. Despite this, Williams was still chosen in the PFA Team of the Year
PFA Team of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
for his strong performances throughout the season. His performances also won him a £175,000 move to Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in November 1988, then a Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
side. He went on to make nineteen appearances in 1988–89, eleven of which were as a substitute. He was the first signing of manager Howard Wilkinson
Howard Wilkinson
Howard Wilkinson is a former English football player and manager, and has recently stepped down as a Non-Executive Director at Sheffield Wednesday after formerly relinquishing the chairman role to Milan Mandaric...
.
Leeds won promotion back to the top-flight after topping the Second Division table at the end of the 1989–90 season; Williams made thirteen league starts, scoring two goals (against Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
and Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
). His first team appearances were limited by a groin injury. After spending five months out with his groin problem he then suffered a fractured cheekbone after teammate Vinnie Jones
Vinnie Jones
Vincent Peter "Vinnie" Jones is an English film actor and retired Welsh footballer.Born in Hertfordshire, England, Jones represented and captained the Welsh national football team, having qualified via a Welsh grandparent. He also previously played for Chelsea and Leeds United. As a member of the...
accidentally hit him in the face with a cricket bat
Cricket bat
A cricket bat is a specialised piece of equipment used by batsmen in the sport of cricket to hit the ball. It is usually made of willow wood. Its use is first mentioned in 1624....
. United then went on to power to a fourth place finish in the top-flight in 1990–91, with Williams making five starts and seven substitute appearances. Restricted to the odd appearance by the form of the Leeds midfield, in December 1991 he was loaned out to Second Division side Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
. He played five games for the "Valiants", who would finish the season in last place; in contrast Williams returned to Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
, where manager Howard Wilkinson was in the process of bringing Leeds the First Division title. Williams would be gone before the end of the season however, and in February 1992 he was sold on to Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
for a £115,000 fee. County were struggling in the First Division, and lost their top-flight status at the end of the 1991–92 season.
After a mid-table finish in 1992–93, County loaned Williams out to Second Division Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
at the start of the 1993–94 campaign. He played six games for the "Terriers", before he was allowed to re-sign with former club Rotherham United in October 1993. At the end of the 1994–95 season, Williams moved on to league rivals Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
– who had tried to sign him in 1988 but lost out to Leeds. Hull finished bottom of the league in 1995–96, and so were relegated into the Third Division. Williams left Hull but remained in the fourth tier, signing non-contract terms with Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
. He made his debut in a goalless home draw with Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
on 17 August, and also played in a League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
draw at former club Hull three days later. This was to be his last professional game, though he did later turn out for non-league clubs Guiseley
Guiseley A.F.C.
Guiseley A.F.C. are an English football club from Guiseley, West Yorkshire, England.-History:Founded in 1909 by a local group of enthusiasts, the club’s first success came in 1913 when they won the local Wharfedale League...
, Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
, and Matlock Town
Matlock Town F.C.
Matlock Town F.C. is an English football club based at Causeway Lane in Matlock, Derbyshire.-History:The club was established in the late 1870s and have competed in the Central Alliance and the Midland Counties League before reaching the Northern Premier League.In the 1974–75 season the club won...
.
Post-retirement
Williams now works as a performance manager for a company attached to Rotherham Council. He also plays Masters FootballMasters Football
Masters football is a 6 a-side indoor football competition in the United Kingdom, where players over the age of 35 are chosen by the Masters Football Selection Committee to represent a senior club which they played for. Regional heats are held, and the winners of each go forward to a national...
. He is a West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
supporter.
Honours
Individual- Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
PFA Team of the YearPFA Team of the YearThe Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
: 1987–88
with Leeds United
- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
champion: 1989–90