Roy Williams (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Royston Brian "Roy" Williams (born 3 March 1932 – 25 October 2011) was an English footballer who played as an inside forward
for Hereford United
and Southampton
during the 1950s.
and began his football career at local club Hereford United
in August 1947.
In November 1952, he signed for Southampton
for a fee of £4,000, making his debut at inside-right in a 1–1 draw away to Fulham
on 26 December 1952. Fulham came to The Dell on the following day and "the Saints" won 5–3, with Williams scoring the second Southampton goal with a header after 31 minutes to bring the scores level; the other Saints' goals were scored by Frank Dudley
with a hat-trick and Johnny Walker. Williams made a total of ten appearances (at either inside-right or inside-left) during the 1952–53 season at the end of which Southampton were relegated to Division Three
.
Williams was only 5 ft 4in tall and was probably the smallest forward ever to play for Southampton, but he had a stocky build and was able to "mix it" with the toughest defenders and soon became a first-team regular. In the 1953–54 season, he became a fixture at inside-right until January, when he was dropped with Walker moving across from the left and Henry Horton
taking over at inside-left. Williams returned for the last four matches of the season, in which the Saints finished in sixth place, after having been first or second until late-January.
In the next season, Williams only made a handful of appearances with Tommy Mulgrew and Johnny Walker now firmly established at inside-right and left respectively. In his three seasons at The Dell, Williams scored seven goals from 41 league appearances.
In July 1955, he returned to Hereford United and went on to become the second highest goalscorer in the club's history. In total he scored 154 goals in 357 appearances for Hereford.
In April 1961, he was rewarded with a benefit match at Edgar Street against Southampton. He later played for Worcester City
and Cinderford Town
.
After retiring from football, Williams ran a window-cleaning business in Hereford. He died in October 2011.
Inside forward
In football, the position of inside forward was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries. The inside forwards would support the centre forwards, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes...
for Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
and Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
during the 1950s.
Football career
Williams was born in HerefordHereford
Hereford is a cathedral city, civil parish and county town of Herefordshire, England. It lies on the River Wye, approximately east of the border with Wales, southwest of Worcester, and northwest of Gloucester...
and began his football career at local club Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
in August 1947.
In November 1952, he signed for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
for a fee of £4,000, making his debut at inside-right in a 1–1 draw away to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
on 26 December 1952. Fulham came to The Dell on the following day and "the Saints" won 5–3, with Williams scoring the second Southampton goal with a header after 31 minutes to bring the scores level; the other Saints' goals were scored by Frank Dudley
Frank Dudley
Frank Ernest Dudley, born Southend-on-Sea 9 May 1925 is a former professional footballer who played as a centre-forward for Southend United, Leeds United and Southampton....
with a hat-trick and Johnny Walker. Williams made a total of ten appearances (at either inside-right or inside-left) during the 1952–53 season at the end of which Southampton were relegated to Division Three
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
.
Williams was only 5 ft 4in tall and was probably the smallest forward ever to play for Southampton, but he had a stocky build and was able to "mix it" with the toughest defenders and soon became a first-team regular. In the 1953–54 season, he became a fixture at inside-right until January, when he was dropped with Walker moving across from the left and Henry Horton
Henry Horton (sportsman)
Henry Horton was an English sportsman who played cricket for Hampshire in the 1950s and 1960s, having previously played a handful of times for Worcestershire in the 1940s...
taking over at inside-left. Williams returned for the last four matches of the season, in which the Saints finished in sixth place, after having been first or second until late-January.
In the next season, Williams only made a handful of appearances with Tommy Mulgrew and Johnny Walker now firmly established at inside-right and left respectively. In his three seasons at The Dell, Williams scored seven goals from 41 league appearances.
In July 1955, he returned to Hereford United and went on to become the second highest goalscorer in the club's history. In total he scored 154 goals in 357 appearances for Hereford.
In April 1961, he was rewarded with a benefit match at Edgar Street against Southampton. He later played for Worcester City
Worcester City F.C.
Worcester City Football Club is an English football club based in Worcester, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Conference North and play at St George's Lane.-History:...
and Cinderford Town
Cinderford Town F.C.
Cinderford Town A.F.C. are a football club based in Cinderford in Gloucestershire, England. They were established in 1922 and joined the Western League in 1946. For the 2011-12 season, they are members of the Southern League Division One South and West...
.
After retiring from football, Williams ran a window-cleaning business in Hereford. He died in October 2011.