Ryan Williams (footballer, born 1991)

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.

For other people with the same name, see Ryan Williams (disambiguation).

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 28 (0)
International career
2010 England Futsal 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 September 2023

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 10100––0010+1+
2010–11 NPL Premier Division 0000––0000
2011–12 Conference North 0000––000+0+
Total 1010000000010+1+
Llandudno (loan) 2010–11 Cymru Alliance 16700–––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. Appearances in the EFL Trophy

Honours

References
  1. "Ryan Williams". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  2. "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. "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. "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. "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. "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. "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. "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. 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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