Chris Williams (English footballer)
Encyclopedia
Christopher "Chris" Williams (born 2 February 1985) is an English former professional footballer born in Manchester
who played in the Football League
for Stockport County
and Grimsby Town
. He currently plays for The New Saints
.
's youth system as a 12-year-old. He turned professional in October 2001, 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. He spent several short spells out on loan, at Grimsby Town
in 2004, Leigh RMI in 2005, and Northwich Victoria
in 2006, and was released by Stockport in March 2006.
where he spent the rest of the 2007–08 season before joining Stalybridge Celtic
in the summer. In February 2009, he was transferred to Fleetwood Town
.
where he spent two seasons. On 27 May 2011 he joined The New Saints
. His competitive debut for the club took place on 30 June 2011 against Cliftonville
in a Europa League first qualifying round match.
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
who 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 Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
and Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
. He currently plays for The New Saints
The New Saints F.C.
The New Saints of Oswestry Town & Llansantffraid Football Club , also known as The New Saints or simply TNS is a full-time-professional British football club representing Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain in Powys, Wales and Oswestry in Shropshire, England . They play in the Welsh Premier League...
.
Stockport County
A pacey winger who can play on either flank, Williams started his career in Stockport CountyStockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
's youth system as a 12-year-old. He turned professional in October 2001, and made his first-team debut aged 16 years 256 days, as a late substitute in the 1–1 draw with 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...
in Division One
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, on 10 November the same year. He spent several short spells out on loan, at Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
in 2004, Leigh RMI in 2005, and Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
in 2006, and was released by Stockport in March 2006.
English non-league football
After his release from County, Williams signed a permanent deal with Northwich, initially until the end of the 2005–06 season, but in August 2006 he suffered a compound fracture of the right leg which kept him on the sidelines until April 2007. 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 AvenueBradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
where he spent the rest of the 2007–08 season before joining Stalybridge Celtic
Stalybridge Celtic F.C.
Stalybridge Celtic are an English full time professional football club from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester in North West England. The club, which plays its home matches at Bower Fold, is currently in the Conference North in the sixth tier of the English football league system...
in the summer. In February 2009, he was transferred to Fleetwood Town
Fleetwood Town F.C.
Fleetwood Town F.C. is an English football club based in Fleetwood, Lancashire. They currently play in the Conference National having been defeated in the Conference National play-off semi-final by AFC Wimbledon in the 2010–11 season.-History:...
.
Welsh League football
In September 2009 he moved on to Welsh Premier League club RhylRhyl F.C.
Rhyl Football Club is a Welsh football club, playing in the Cymru Alliance.The club was founded in 1882 and the team plays its home matches at Belle Vue, Rhyl, which can accommodate 3,000 spectators.- History :Few clubs in the Welsh Premier League have as distinguished a past as Rhyl's...
where he spent two seasons. On 27 May 2011 he joined The New Saints
The New Saints F.C.
The New Saints of Oswestry Town & Llansantffraid Football Club , also known as The New Saints or simply TNS is a full-time-professional British football club representing Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain in Powys, Wales and Oswestry in Shropshire, England . They play in the Welsh Premier League...
. His competitive debut for the club took place on 30 June 2011 against Cliftonville
Cliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Founded on 20 September 1879 by John McCredy McAlery in the suburb of Cliftonville in north Belfast, it is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 130th...
in a Europa League first qualifying round match.