Skilly Williams
Encyclopedia
Reginald George "Skilly" Williams (4 January 1890 – 19 June 1959) was an English association football player. Born in Watford, he played primarily as a striker
during his amateur career, but later switched to become a goalkeeper. After playing for Leavesden Mental Hospital
's football team, as well as for Hertfordshire, Williams joined Watford
as an amateur in 1910, turning professional in 1914. During his first season as a professional, Watford won the 1914–1915 Southern Football League
title. League football was then interrupted for four seasons due to the First World War. Following its resumption in 1919, Williams again played a part as Watford finished runners up to Portsmouth
on goal average. Watford entered the Football League the following season, and Williams stayed with the club for a further six seasons. He holds the record for the most Watford appearances by a goalkeeper;83 in the Southern League, 240 in the Football League, 17 in the FA Cup
and one in the Southern Charity Cup. He stayed at Watford until 1926, before moving to Brighton & Hove Albion
on a free transfer in 1926.
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
during his amateur career, but later switched to become a goalkeeper. After playing for Leavesden Mental Hospital
Leavesden Mental Hospital
Leavesden Mental Hospital was founded in 1870 on the outskirts of Abbots Langley by the Metropolitan Asylums Board as the Metropolitan Asylum for Chronic Imbeciles. At the same time the St Pancras Union Workhouse established an Industrial School across the road. In 1920, the asylum was renamed the...
's football team, as well as for Hertfordshire, Williams joined 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...
as an amateur in 1910, turning professional in 1914. During his first season as a professional, Watford won the 1914–1915 Southern Football League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
title. League football was then interrupted for four seasons due to the First World War. Following its resumption in 1919, Williams again played a part as Watford finished runners up to Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
on goal average. Watford entered the Football League the following season, and Williams stayed with the club for a further six seasons. He holds the record for the most Watford appearances by a goalkeeper;83 in the Southern League, 240 in the Football League, 17 in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
and one in the Southern Charity Cup. He stayed at Watford until 1926, before moving to Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
on a free transfer in 1926.