Chris Williams (English footballer)

Christopher Jonathan Williams (born 2 February 1985) is an English former professional footballer and coach.

For the Canadian player, see Chris Williams (Canadian soccer).

Chris Williams
Personal information
Full name Christopher Jonathan Williams[1]
Date of birth (1985-02-02) 2 February 1985[1]
Place of birth Manchester, England
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Position(s) Forward, Winger
Youth career
2000–2001 Stockport County
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2006 Stockport County 34 (3)
2004 → Grimsby Town (loan) 3 (0)
2005–2006 → Leigh RMI (loan) 6 (0)
2006 → Northwich Victoria (loan)
2006–2007 Northwich Victoria 19 (2)
2007–2008 Bradford Park Avenue
2008–2009 Stalybridge Celtic 15 (4)
2009 Fleetwood Town
2009–2011 Rhyl 10 (2)
2011–2012 The New Saints 8 (0)
2012–2013 Rhyl
2013–2014 Stockport Sports
2014–2015 Salford City
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 06:00, 29 February 2012 (UTC)

The Manchester-born player notably appeared in the Football League for both Stockport County and Grimsby Town,[2] before going on to play non-League football for Leigh RMI, Northwich Victoria, Bradford Park Avenue, Stalybridge Celtic and Fleetwood Town. He also had spells in the Welsh Premier League for both Rhyl and The New Saints.

Playing career

Stockport County

A pacey winger who can play on either flank, Williams started his career in Stockport County's youth system as a 12-year-old. He turned professional in October 2001,[3] and made his first-team debut aged 16 years 256 days, as a late substitute in the 1–1 draw with Watford in Division One, on 10 November the same year.[4][5] He spent several short spells out on loan, at Grimsby Town in 2004, Leigh RMI in 2005, and Northwich Victoria in 2006,[2][6] and was released by Stockport in March 2006.[3]

Move into non-League

After his release from County, Williams signed a permanent deal with Northwich, initially until the end of the 2005–06 season,[7] but in August 2006 he suffered a compound fracture of the right leg[8] which kept him on the sidelines until April 2007.[9] Williams failed to make an impact on the first team, fell out with the manager, and in January 2008 he was released, moving on to Bradford Park Avenue[10] where he spent the rest of the 2007–08 season before joining Stalybridge Celtic in the summer.[11] In February 2009, he was transferred to Fleetwood Town.[12]

Rhyl and The New Saints

In September 2009 he moved on to Welsh Premier League club Rhyl[13] where he spent two seasons. On 27 May 2011 he joined The New Saints.[14] His competitive debut for the club took place on 30 June 2011 against Cliftonville in a Europa League first qualifying round match.[15]

In July 2012 he rejoined Rhyl.[16]

Return to England

Williams returned to the English non-League by joining Stockport Sports during the 2013–14 season, before moving to Salford City in March 2014.[17]

Coaching career

Based in Manchester, Williams now owns and coaches for the "Chris Williams Football Academy".[18]

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2003). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004. Queen Anne Press. p. 454. ISBN 1-85291-651-6.
  2. "Chris Williams". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  3. "Chris Williams Released". Stockport County F.C. 21 March 2006. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  4. "Sweet Sixteen". Stockport County F.C. 3 June 2009. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  5. Fox, Norman (11 November 2001). "Late Watford strike ruins Palmer's big day". The Independent on Sunday. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  6. "Willow Joins Vics". Stockport County F.C. 16 February 2006. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  7. Stanton, Chris (21 March 2006). "Hatter seals Northwich switch". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  8. "Williams Out For Season". Northwich Guardian. 21 August 2006. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  9. "Vics Lose Again, But Williams Returns". Northwich Guardian. 24 April 2007. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  10. "Ins And Outs Continue at Vics". NonLeague Daily. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  11. "Chris Williams Player Information". Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  12. "Fleetwood sign Celtic winger". Blackpool Gazette. 12 February 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  13. "Town star Williams moves on to Rhyl". Fleetwood Weekly News. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  14. "Davies captures wingman Willo from Rhyl". The New Saints FC. 27 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  15. "New Saints 1–1 Cliftonville". The New Saints FC. 30 June 2011. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  16. "Wingman Willo returns to Rhyl". Welsh Premier League. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  17. "Ammies Sign Ex-Stockport County Star". Salford City FC. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  18. https://m.facebook.com/chriswwilliamsfa/?locale2=en_GB
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