Mike Williams (footballer born 1965)
Encyclopedia
Mike Williams is a former Welsh
professional footballer. He played in The Football League
for Chester City
and Wrexham as both a defender
and a midfielder.
as a schoolboy before playing for Hawarden Rangers, where he was spotted by Chester coach Cliff Sear
. He made his Football League
debut on May 8, 1982 in a 2–1 home defeat to Lincoln City
in the number eight shirt. 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 May 7, 1984 before he was released by manager John McGrath. During his time at Chester, Williams and team–mate 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
.
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
. 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.
On April 7, 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.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
professional footballer. He played in The Football League
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...
for Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
and Wrexham as both a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
and a midfielder.
Playing career
Williams had been with EvertonEverton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
as a schoolboy before playing for Hawarden Rangers, where he was spotted by Chester coach Cliff Sear
Cliff Sear
Cliff Sear was a Welsh football left back who played for Manchester City between 1956 and 1967. During this time he made 250 appearances for the team and scored 1 goal....
. He made his Football League
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...
debut on May 8, 1982 in a 2–1 home defeat to Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
in the number eight shirt. 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
Paul Blackwell (footballer)
Paul Blackwell is a former Welsh professional footballer who nearly 100 Football League appearances for Chester City, mainly as a midfielder....
, Peter Bulmer
Peter Bulmer (footballer)
Peter Bulmer was an English professional footballer who played in The Football League for Chester City and Preston North End. He played at both full back and winger.-Playing career:...
and Peter Zelem
Peter Zelem
Peter Zelem is a former English professional footballer who played as a defender. He played in The Football League for four clubs during the 1980s.-Playing career:...
.
He made his final appearance for Chester against Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
on May 7, 1984 before he was released by manager John McGrath. During his time at Chester, Williams and team–mate John Allen
John Allen (footballer)
John Allen is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Allen played for Hinckley Athletic and Leicester City before joining Port Vale in May 1980. He earned a first team place for the start of the 1980–81 season, but lost his place in November 1980 and was given a free transfer in April...
had been set to join Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
on trial with a view to permanent transfers, but the deals collapsed after Williams was stretchered off in a match against Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
.
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
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
against Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
in 1985–86
1985-86 in English football
The 1985–86 season was the 106th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :The championship crown went to Liverpool for the 16th time in their history at the end of their first season under the management of Kenny Dalglish, but they had to fight off some very stiff competition to...
. His final game for the club came in a European Cup Winners Cup tie against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in October 1990, with a persistent knee injury forcing him to retire from playing the following year.
On April 7, 1992, a testimonial match for Williams was staged between Wrexham and Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
. A crowd of 1,984 saw a 1–1 draw between Williams’ two former clubs.