Rachel Williams (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Rachel Louise Williams is an English
international women's footballer. She currently plays club football for FA WSL club Birmingham City Ladies
, where she has been converted from an attacking midfielder to a striker.
as a twelve-year-old, progressing through their centre of excellence to play in their senior side. She was vice-captain as the side won the County League in 2005. and the following season was a member of the side that again won the County League, but also the County Cup. In the 2006-2007 season, Williams was a member of the Leicester side that won the treble of the East Midlands Women's Premier League title, the County Cup and the League Cup and promotion to the Midlands Combination League. The following season she was part of the Leicester side that won promotion to the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division
.
She left Leicester at the end of the 2007-08 season to join Doncaster Rovers Belles. She was the FA Premier League player of the month for October 2008, and was a member of the Doncaster side that lost to Arsenal Ladies
in the 2009 FA Women's Premier League Cup final. She ended her first season with Doncaster as the club's Player of the Year and the Players' Player of the Year.
She scored on the opening day of the 2009-10 season as Doncaster drew 1-1 at home to Blackburn Rovers Ladies
. In October 2009 she scored against former club Leicester City Women as Doncaster progressed in the Premier League Cup.
With Doncaster not playing until the FA WSL in March 2011, Williams re-signed for Leicester City in summer 2010. In December 2010, Williams was revealed to have signed for Birmingham City's FA WSL squad. After converting to a striker, Williams made an impressive start to the new season with Birmingham, scoring five goals in her first two WSL appearances and winning a recall to the England squad.
Under-19 debut, whilst still an Under-17 player, against Switzerland
in 2005. Later that year she was selected as part of the England squad for the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship
.
In May 2009, Williams was one of the first 17 female players to be given central contracts by the Football Association. At the time she was the only uncapped player to be awarded a contract. Her debut for the England senior side came in July 2009 when she came on as a substitute for Alex Scott in the 2-0 defeat at home to Iceland
. She missed out on a place in the Women's Euro 2009 Squad, but was picked by head coach Hope Powell
for England's squad to face Malta
in the first qualifying game for the 2011 Women's World Cup.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
international women's footballer. She currently plays club football for FA WSL club Birmingham City Ladies
Birmingham City L.F.C.
Birmingham City L.F.C. is a semi-professional English Women's football club who are affiliated to Birmingham City F.C.. They play their home games at Knights Lane, the home of Stratford Town F.C., and were named as founder members of the FA Women's Super League which started in 2011.-History:The...
, where she has been converted from an attacking midfielder to a striker.
Club career
Williams joined Leicester City WomenLeicester City W.F.C.
Leicester City Women Football Club is an English women's football club affiliated with Leicester City F.C.. The club is distinct from Leicester City Ladies Football Club who play at Midland Combination level. LCWFC currently play in the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division...
as a twelve-year-old, progressing through their centre of excellence to play in their senior side. She was vice-captain as the side won the County League in 2005. and the following season was a member of the side that again won the County League, but also the County Cup. In the 2006-2007 season, Williams was a member of the Leicester side that won the treble of the East Midlands Women's Premier League title, the County Cup and the League Cup and promotion to the Midlands Combination League. The following season she was part of the Leicester side that won promotion to the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division
FA Women's Premier League Northern Division
The FA Women's Premier League Northern Division is a league in the third-level in the women's football pyramid in England, along with the Southern division. These two divisions are below the FA Women's Super League and National Division....
.
She left Leicester at the end of the 2007-08 season to join Doncaster Rovers Belles. She was the FA Premier League player of the month for October 2008, and was a member of the Doncaster side that lost to Arsenal Ladies
Arsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...
in the 2009 FA Women's Premier League Cup final. She ended her first season with Doncaster as the club's Player of the Year and the Players' Player of the Year.
She scored on the opening day of the 2009-10 season as Doncaster drew 1-1 at home to Blackburn Rovers Ladies
Blackburn Rovers L.F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Ladies Football Club are an English women's football club affiliated with Blackburn Rovers. In 2006 they won the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division and were promoted to the FA Women's Premier League National Division, where they played until relegation in the 2010–11...
. In October 2009 she scored against former club Leicester City Women as Doncaster progressed in the Premier League Cup.
With Doncaster not playing until the FA WSL in March 2011, Williams re-signed for Leicester City in summer 2010. In December 2010, Williams was revealed to have signed for Birmingham City's FA WSL squad. After converting to a striker, Williams made an impressive start to the new season with Birmingham, scoring five goals in her first two WSL appearances and winning a recall to the England squad.
International career
Williams scored on her EnglandEngland women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
Under-19 debut, whilst still an Under-17 player, against Switzerland
Switzerland women's national football team
The Switzerland women's national football team represents Switzerland in international women's football.The team played its first match in 1972...
in 2005. Later that year she was selected as part of the England squad for the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship
2005 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship
The 2005 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship was the holding of the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship in Hungary from July 20–31 2005. Russia won this edition of the competition in the final against France.-Participating teams:...
.
In May 2009, Williams was one of the first 17 female players to be given central contracts by the Football Association. At the time she was the only uncapped player to be awarded a contract. Her debut for the England senior side came in July 2009 when she came on as a substitute for Alex Scott in the 2-0 defeat at home to Iceland
Iceland women's national football team
The Iceland women's national football team represents Iceland in international women's football. It is currently ranked as the 15th best national team in the world by FIFA...
. She missed out on a place in the Women's Euro 2009 Squad, but was picked by head coach Hope Powell
Hope Powell
Hope Patricia Powell, CBE is the coach of the England women's national football team. Powell is an ‘A’ License coach and in 2003 became the first woman to achieve the UEFA Pro Licence - the highest coaching award available.-Early life:Powell was educated at Bethany School and went on to take A...
for England's squad to face Malta
Malta women's national football team
The Malta women's national football team represents the Malta Football Association in international football matches approved by UEFA. In 2003, the team's played its first competitive international match, in a game against Romania, which the latter won 3–0....
in the first qualifying game for the 2011 Women's World Cup.
International goals
- Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored 1 22 September 2011 County Ground, Swindon County Ground, SwindonThe County Ground is a stadium located near the town centre of Swindon, England. It is home to Swindon Town Football Club and has been for over a century.The current capacity is 15,728, all-seated...
4–0 2013 UEFA Women's Championship Qual. UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifyingThe Qualifying rounds for the UEFA Women's Euro 2013 will determine which 11 teams join Sweden, the hosts of the 2013 tournament, to play for the UEFA Women's Championship.-Tie breakers:...
1