Rhys Williams (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Rhys Williams is an Australian professional football (soccer) player currently playing for Middlesbrough
in the English Football League Championship
and the Australia national football team. A very versatile player, Williams is adept at playing as a defensive midfielder, central defender, right fullback or more recently as an attacking midfielder.
, India while his father was born in Kent
, England.
His younger brothers, twins; Ryan Williams
and Aryn Williams, are also footballers and are currently players at Portsmouth
and Burnley Academy
, respectively.
, Leicester City
, and Middlesbrough
.
He ultimately signed a three-year deal with Premier League club Middlesbrough, playing academy football. In July 2007, he signed his first professional contract with the club, despite a number of injury setbacks which curtailed his football development.
In January 2009, he signed a new two-year contract at Middlesbrough and signed on loan for Championship
side Burnley
on the same day. He returned to Middlesbrough in early May after it was determined that he could not play in the Football League Championship
play-offs for Burnley.
After fantastic preseason form for Middlesbrough before the 2009–10 season where he scored 4 goals in 5 games, manager Gareth Southgate
showed faith in Williams by playing him in central midfield in their opening Championship match against Sheffield United
where he put in a stellar performance and has since gone on to keep his place in the first XI.
On 26 September 2009, Williams scored his first goal for Middlesbrough in a 2–2 draw against Coventry City.
On 11 February 2010, Williams signed a three-and-a-half-year contract extension with Middlesbrough
.
Williams missed most of the 2010–11 Middlesbrough season, and the 2010 World Cup with a persistent pelvic problem which saw him on an extensive rehabilitation period in Australia.
He made his eventual comeback to Middlesbrough towards the end of the 2010-11 League Championship season in which he earnt an impressive six man of the match awards in only twelve games aiding Middlesbrough in their best run of the season.
.
Following this declaration, Williams earned his first call-up for Australia at senior level as part of an extended Socceroos squad for the June 2009 World Cup qualifiers.
On 17 June 2009, he made his full Australian debut in a World Cup qualifier against Japan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
.
In May 2010 Williams was included in Australia's preliminary squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, however he was not included in the final squad due to an injury sustained while playing for his club.
Williams returned to the Socceroos squad for the friendly against New Zealand on 5 June at Adelaide Oval which was won by Australia 3–0 and he came off the bench in the 0–0 draw on June against Serbia at Etihad Stadium.
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in the English Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
and the Australia national football team. A very versatile player, Williams is adept at playing as a defensive midfielder, central defender, right fullback or more recently as an attacking midfielder.
Background
His mother originates from MumbaiMumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India while his father was born in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, England.
His younger brothers, twins; Ryan Williams
Ryan Williams (footballer born 1993)
Ryan Williams is an Australian footballer who currently plays for Football League Championship club Portsmouth. He is played as a winger.-Biography:...
and Aryn Williams, are also footballers and are currently players at Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
and Burnley Academy
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, respectively.
Club career
He began his football career as a promising junior with Perth based club ECU Joondalup. As a youth player, 2004 would prove his breakthrough year with his club performances leading to selection in the Western Australian under-16 state representative squad for the 2004 National Talent Identification Championships. He impressed with three goals in the tournament, helping Western Australia reach the semi-finals. At the conclusion of the event, he travelled to England where he trialled with several clubs including Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, and Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
.
He ultimately signed a three-year deal with Premier League club Middlesbrough, playing academy football. In July 2007, he signed his first professional contract with the club, despite a number of injury setbacks which curtailed his football development.
In January 2009, he signed a new two-year contract at Middlesbrough and signed on loan for Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
on the same day. He returned to Middlesbrough in early May after it was determined that he could not play in the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
play-offs for Burnley.
After fantastic preseason form for Middlesbrough before the 2009–10 season where he scored 4 goals in 5 games, manager Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate in Crawley, West Sussex is a retired English footballer and ex-manager. He is known as the "Penalty Misser of '96." He served as manager of Middlesbrough from June 2006, until he was dismissed in October 2009...
showed faith in Williams by playing him in central midfield in their opening Championship match against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
where he put in a stellar performance and has since gone on to keep his place in the first XI.
On 26 September 2009, Williams scored his first goal for Middlesbrough in a 2–2 draw against Coventry City.
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
On 11 February 2010, Williams signed a three-and-a-half-year contract extension with Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
.
Williams missed most of the 2010–11 Middlesbrough season, and the 2010 World Cup with a persistent pelvic problem which saw him on an extensive rehabilitation period in Australia.
He made his eventual comeback to Middlesbrough towards the end of the 2010-11 League Championship season in which he earnt an impressive six man of the match awards in only twelve games aiding Middlesbrough in their best run of the season.
International career
Being of mixed parentage, Williams was in an unusual position as he was eligible to represent Australia, England, India, and Wales. In May 2009, he opted to represent Australia, the country of his birth, despite having made numerous appearances for the Wales national under-21 football teamWales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
.
Following this declaration, Williams earned his first call-up for Australia at senior level as part of an extended Socceroos squad for the June 2009 World Cup qualifiers.
On 17 June 2009, he made his full Australian debut in a World Cup qualifier against Japan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
.
In May 2010 Williams was included in Australia's preliminary squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, however he was not included in the final squad due to an injury sustained while playing for his club.
Williams returned to the Socceroos squad for the friendly against New Zealand on 5 June at Adelaide Oval which was won by Australia 3–0 and he came off the bench in the 0–0 draw on June against Serbia at Etihad Stadium.
Club statistics
Statistics accurate as of 28 November 2011| Club | Season | Division | League | Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | |||
| Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
2008-09 | Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 1 |
| Burnley total | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 1 | ||
| Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
2008-09 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009-10 | Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
32 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2010-11 | Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2011-12 | Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
17 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 2 | |
| Middlesbrough total | 61 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Career total | 78 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 5 | 6 | ||
External links
- Burnley FC Official Site profile
- Profile on Middlesbrough F.C. official website
- OzFootball profile
- FFA Profile