John Williams (footballer born 1960)
Encyclopedia
John Williams is a retired English
football centre back
, now working as a radio commentator.
in 1979, establishing himself as a regular during the 1980–81 season. In July 1985 Port Vale
paid £12,000 to secure his services. He played regularly during the club's 1985–86
Fourth Division
promotion campaign, but lost form the following season
and was sold to Bournemouth
for £30,000 in December 1986, where he became a popular player with the club's fans. He subsequently featured for Wigan Athletic
on loan and finally Cardiff City
. Williams remained at Ninian Park
for two years without ever becoming a regular before returning to Bournemouth as a member of the coaching staff. He worked for Bournemouth as their community development officer and later assistant manager.
, described him as possibly the best signing he had made in his 25-year management career in 2008.
as a summariser/co-commentator for AFC Bournemouth matches.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
football centre back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, now working as a radio commentator.
Playing career
After playing as an amateur Williams signed for Tranmere RoversTranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
in 1979, establishing himself as a regular during the 1980–81 season. In July 1985 Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
paid £12,000 to secure his services. He played regularly during the club's 1985–86
1985–86 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1985–86 season was Port Vale's seventy-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the Fourth Division. John Rudge achieved his first success as manager, leading Vale to promotion into the Third Division with a fourth place finish...
Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
promotion campaign, but lost form the following season
1986–87 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1986–87 season was Port Vale's seventy-fifth season of football in the Football League, and first season back in the Third Division following promotion from the Fourth Division. John Rudge led to Vale to a mid-table finish, his Player of the Year signing Andy Jones scoring 37 goals in all...
and was sold to Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
for £30,000 in December 1986, where he became a popular player with the club's fans. He subsequently featured for Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
on loan and finally Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
. Williams remained at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
for two years without ever becoming a regular before returning to Bournemouth as a member of the coaching staff. He worked for Bournemouth as their community development officer and later assistant manager.
Legacy
Williams's former boss at Bournemouth, Harry RedknappHarry Redknapp
Henry James "Harry" Redknapp is a former English footballer who has enjoyed a long career in football management starting in 1983 with Bournemouth. He is the current manager of Tottenham Hotspur....
, described him as possibly the best signing he had made in his 25-year management career in 2008.
Post-retirement
Williams now works for BBC Radio SolentBBC Radio Solent
BBC Radio Solent is the BBC Local Radio service for the Isle of Wight and the English counties of Hampshire and Dorset. Its studios are located in Southampton, in the same purpose-built office block in Havelock Road as the BBC South Today news studios, and there are district offices in Portsmouth,...
as a summariser/co-commentator for AFC Bournemouth matches.