Ryan Williams
Personal information
Full name Ryan Anthony Williams[1]
Date of birth (1991-04-08) 8 April 1991
Place of birth Birkenhead, England
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 AFC Eskilstuna
Number 6
Youth career
2007–2009 Chester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009 Chester City 0 (0)
2009–2011 Colwyn Bay 10 (1)
2010–2011 → Llandudno (loan) 16 (7)
2011–2012 Rhyl 35 (16)
2013–2015 Morecambe 53 (5)
2015–2016 Brentford 0 (0)
2016 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 8 (0)
2016–2017 Ottawa Fury FC 34 (7)
2018 Paysandu 1 (0)
2018–2019 Tranmere Rovers 0 (0)
2019 Hartford Athletic 26 (4)
2020 AFC Eskilstuna 13 (1)
2022– AFC Eskilstuna 37 (0)
International career
2010 England Futsal 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 November 2023

Ryan Anthony Williams (born 8 April 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for AFC Eskilstuna. After beginning his career at Chester City, Williams came to prominence with Morecambe and built a reputation as a free kick specialist.[3] He later played in Scotland, Canada, Brazil,[4] the United States and won an international futsal cap for England.

Career

Chester City

Born in Birkenhead, Williams came through the youth ranks at League Two club Chester City and a transfer embargo saw him and other youngsters promoted to the club's first team during the 2008–09 season at age 17.[5] He was an unused substitute in seven matches between September and December 2008 and made his senior debut for the club in a 7–0 Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final defeat to Crewe Alexandra on 20 January 2009,[6][7][8] but he tore ankle ligaments on the stroke of half time and failed to recover before the Seals' relegation at the end of the season.[9]

Non-league football

Williams signed for Northern Premier League First Division North club Colwyn Bay in late 2009.[10] He helped the team achieve promotion to the Premier Division and moved to sign for Cymru Alliance club Llandudno on loan during the 2010–11 season,[11][12] where his performances won him the club's Player of the Year award and a place in the league's Team of the Year.[10] Williams transferred to fellow Cymru Alliance club Rhyl in July 2011 and was again voted into the Cymru Alliance Team of the Year at the end of the 2011–12 season.[10] He departed Rhyl midway through the 2012–13 season.[13]

Morecambe

Williams began training with League Two club Morecambe in July 2012, but was not offered a contract due to financial constraints.[14] After the departure of Joe Mwasile on loan, funds were made available for Williams to be offered a short-term contract with the Shrimps in October 2012. International clearance problems held up the signing and he finally joined the club on 10 January 2013.[15] Williams made his Football League debut in a match versus Plymouth Argyle five days later,[16] coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for Gary McDonald.[17] He crowned his day with a long-range goal in the 80th minute, though the Shrimps would lose 2–1.[18] He scored his second goal in three games versus Dagenham & Redbridge two weeks later, this time scoring a late winner in a 2–1 victory.[17] A first start versus York City on 2 February and Man of the Match performances later in the month versus Exeter City and Aldershot Town saw Williams sign a new contract running until the end of the 2013–14 season.[19] Williams made 16 appearances and scored two goals during the second half of the 2012–13 season.[17]

Williams was a regular starter during the 2013–14 season and got his campaign off to a flyer, netting long range goals with a free kick in a League Cup first round victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers and a 25-yard strike in a league draw with Torquay United.[20] His performances saw him sign a new one-year contract extension in February 2014.[21] Williams made 29 appearances and scored four goals during his first full season of league football and won Morecambe's Goal of the Season award.[22] Williams began the 2014–15 season alternating between a starting berth and a place on the bench and missed the final two months of the season after undergoing surgery on a hernia problem.[23][24] He finished the season with 16 appearances and no goals.[25] Williams was released in May 2015 after making 61 appearances and scoring five goals during his two-and-a-half year spell at the Globe Arena.[26][27]

Brentford

On 11 June 2015, Williams signed a one-year deal with Championship club Brentford, with the option for a further year.[28] His only appearance for the Bees came with a start in a 4–0 League Cup first round defeat to Oxford United on 11 August.[29] On 1 February 2016 and having failed to win a call into the squad in over four months,[30] Williams' contract was cancelled by mutual consent.[31] Get West London later reported that Williams "was a set-piece expert, but was never going to get in the first team and (Brentford) turned him into a set-pieces coach".[32]

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

On 1 February 2016, Williams joined Scottish Premiership club Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a contract until the end of the 2015–16 season.[33] He made eight substitute appearances and was not offered a new contract at the end of the season.[34]

Ottawa Fury

On 19 July 2016, Williams moved to Canada to join North American Soccer League club Ottawa Fury FC.[35] He made 18 appearances and scored four goals during the remainder of the 2016 season and was named as the Fans' Player of the Year.[2][36] After making 20 appearances and scoring five goals during the 2017 United Soccer League season,[36] Williams departed the club.[37] He made 38 appearances and scored 9 goals during his time at the TD Place Stadium.[36]

Paysandu

On 5 February 2018, it was announced that Williams had moved to Brazil to join Campeonato Brasileiro Série B club Paysandu on a three-month contract.[38] He was unable to be registered until 23 March and made his only appearance for the club as a 75th-minute substitute for Pedro Carmona in a 1–1 draw with São Bento on 19 May.[36][39][40] In mid-June 2018, it was announced that Williams' contract had been terminated early due to personal problems.[41]

Tranmere Rovers

On 13 September 2018, Williams joined League Two club Tranmere Rovers on a short-term contract.[42] He made just two EFL Trophy appearances before departing Prenton Park on 14 January 2019.[43]

Hartford Athletic

On 21 February 2019, Williams moved to the United States to join USL Championship club Hartford Athletic.[44]

AFC Eskilstuna

On 26 August 2020, Williams joined Swedish Superettan side AFC Eskilstuna.[45] His lone goal for the club came on 16 October 2020 in a 3-2 loss against Akropolis IF.[46] In March 2022, he rejoined the club on a deal until the end of the year.[47]

Futsal

Williams played futsal for Tranmere Victoria and Liverpool and was named in the England squad for the 2010 FA Futsal Four Nations Tournament.[48][49] He made his debut in the final of the tournament, a 3–2 defeat to Turkey.[9]

Personal life

After dropping out of professional football in 2009, Williams studied to become a personal trainer, eventually launching Roqstar Fitness, based in New Brighton.[9]

Career statistics

As of 17 April 2019[36]
Club Season League Domestic Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chester City 2008–09[50] League Two 000000–1[lower-alpha 3]010
Colwyn Bay 2009–10 NPL Division One 101––10+1+
2010–11 NPL Premier Division 0000––0000
2011–12 Conference North 00––0+0+
Total 101000010+1+
Llandudno (loan) 2010–11 Cymru Alliance 167–––16+7+
Rhyl 2011–12 Cymru Alliance 35161+2+–––36+18+
Morecambe 2012–13[17] League Two 1620000––162
2013–14[22] League Two 2531021–1[lower-alpha 4]0294
2014–15[25] League Two 1201010–2[lower-alpha 4]0160
Total 53520310030454
Brentford 2015–16[29] Championship 000010––10
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2015–16 Scottish Premiership 80000000–80
Ottawa Fury FC 2016 NASL 18400–––184
2017 USL 16342–––205
Total 34742000000389
Paysandu 2018 Série B 100000–0010
Tranmere Rovers 2018–19[51] League Two 000000–2[lower-alpha 4]020
Hartford Athletic 2019 USL Championship 26410––00274
AFC Eskilstuna 2020 Superettan 13 1 0 0 – – 0 0 13 1
Career total 196418+4+41006+0+214+46+
  1. ↑ Includes the Welsh Cup, FA Cup, and Canadian Championship
  2. ↑ All appearances in the Football League Cup
  3. ↑ Appearance in Cheshire Senior Cup
  4. 1 2 3 Appearances in the EFL Trophy

Honours

References

  1. ↑ "Ryan Williams". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Ryan Williams | 7". www.ottawafuryfc.com. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  3. ↑ Moore, Tom (11 June 2015). "Brentford sign free kick specialist Ryan Williams from Morecambe". Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  4. ↑ Interview with Ryan Williams thesetpieces.com
  5. ↑ Administrator, northwales (20 June 2008). "Chester City hit by transfer embargo". Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "Ryan Williams Player Profile – ESPN FC". www.espnfc.com. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "January 2009 News". www.chester-city.co.uk. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  8. ↑ "Match Programmes 2008/09". www.chester-city.co.uk. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 "Total Football exclusive: Interview with Ryan Williams :: Total Football Magazine – Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, Non-League News". 13 September 2014. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ryan Williams – Evo Football Consultancy". Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  11. ↑ Administrator, northwales (23 September 2010). "Football: New faces at Llandudno FC". Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  12. ↑ Administrator, northwales (24 March 2011). "Football: Llandudno FC are ruthless against Ruthin". Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  13. ↑ "Bentley welcomes Williams arrival". BBC. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  14. ↑ "Morecambe boss Bentley admits transfer struggles". www.lancasterguardian.co.uk. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  15. ↑ "Williams deal completed – News – Morecambe". Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  16. ↑ "Ryan Williams signs for Morecambe – Evo Football Consultancy". Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "Games played by Ryan Williams in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  18. ↑ "Plymouth 2–1 Morecambe". BBC. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  19. ↑ "Williams signs Shrimps deal". www.morecambefc.com. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  20. ↑ "Williams wants to be goal threat". BBC. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  21. ↑ "Williams & Wright sign Shrimps deals". BBC. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  22. 1 2 "Games played by Ryan Williams in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  23. ↑ "Ryan Williams Player Profile – ESPN FC". www.espnfc.com. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  24. ↑ "Bentley: Williams could end up playing abroad". www.thevisitor.co.uk. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  25. 1 2 "Games played by Ryan Williams in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  26. ↑ "Morecambe announce retained list: Captain Mark Hughes one of eight released". www.lancasterguardian.co.uk. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  27. ↑ Ryan Williams at Soccerbase
  28. ↑ Wickham, Chris. "Brentford sign former Morecambe and Chester City attacking midfield player Ryan Williams". www.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  29. 1 2 "Games played by Ryan Williams in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  30. ↑ "Ryan Williams Player Profile – ESPN FC". www.espnfc.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  31. ↑ Wickham, Chris. "Ryan Williams leaves Brentford". www.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  32. ↑ Rayner, Stuart (19 October 2017). "'Secret of Brentford's success hungry lower-league players, not moneyball'". nechronicle. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  33. ↑ "Signing Brace – Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC". ictfc.com. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  34. ↑ "Ryan Williams could be handed Caley Thistle lifeline by Richie Foran". www.inverness-courier.co.uk. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  35. ↑ "Free kick specialist Ryan Williams joins Fury FC". Ottawa Fury FC. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 Ryan Williams at Soccerway. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  37. ↑ FC, Ottawa Fury (18 November 2017). "All the best in your future endeavors @RyanWilliams91!". @OttawaFuryFC. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  38. ↑ "Paysandu contrata meio-campista". Paysandu Sport Club (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  39. ↑ "Ryan Williams comemora estreia com a camisa bicolor: "Me sinto confortável aqui"". Paysandu Sport Club (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  40. ↑ "Ryan Williams says Brazil was the craziest time of his life". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  41. ↑ "Paysandu confirma desligamento de meia inglês, que explica saída em vídeo; veja". Globoesporte (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  42. ↑ "Ryan Williams joins Rovers". Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  43. ↑ "Ryan Williams leaves Rovers". www.tranmererovers.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  44. ↑ Athletic, Hartford (21 February 2019). "Two Players Added to Hartford Athletic Roster". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  45. ↑ "Ryan Williams klar för AFC" (in Swedish). AFC Eskilstuna. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  46. ↑ "Akropolis vs. AFC Eskilstuna - 16 October 2020 - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  47. ↑ "Ryan Williams tillbaka i AFC Eskilstuna" (in Swedish). AFC Eskilstuna. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  48. ↑ "Futsal Planet". futsalplanet.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  49. ↑ "Ryan Williams – Former Players – The Team – Liverpool Futsal Club". Pitchero. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  50. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Williams in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  51. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Williams in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
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