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Mike Williams (footballer, born 1965)

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Mike Williams
Personal information
Full name Michael Williams
Date of birth (1965-12-31) 31 December 1965 (age 58)
Place of birth Mancot, Wales
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender, midfielder
Youth career
Everton
Hawarden Rangers
Chester
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1982–1984 Chester City 34 (4)
1984–1991 Wrexham 178 (3)
International career
Wales Youth
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Michael Williams (born 6 February 1965) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played in The Football League for Chester City and Wrexham as both a defender and a midfielder.

Playing career

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Williams had been with Everton as a schoolboy before playing for Hawarden Rangers, where he was spotted by Chester coach Cliff Sear.[2] He made his Football League debut on 8 May 1982 in a 2–1 home defeat to Lincoln City in the number eight shirt.[3] He had spells in and out of the first–team over the next two years, in a side that contained fellow homegrown youngsters such as Paul Blackwell, Peter Bulmer and Peter Zelem.

He made his final appearance for Chester against Bristol City on 7 May 1984 before he was released by manager John McGrath.[4] During his time at Chester, Williams and teammate John Allen had been set to join Chelsea on trial with a view to permanent transfers, but the deals collapsed after Williams was stretchered off in a match against Hartlepool United.[5]

He quickly joined Chester's arch rivals Wrexham, where he quickly established himself in the first-team side. Over the next six years, Williams went on to make 238 first-team appearances for the North Wales club, helping them win the Welsh Cup against Kidderminster Harriers in 1985–86.[6] His final game for the club came in a European Cup Winners Cup tie against Manchester United in October 1990, with a persistent knee injury forcing him to retire from playing the following year.[7]

On 7 April 1992, a testimonial match for Williams was staged between Wrexham and Chester City. A crowd of 1,984 saw a 1–1 draw between Williams' two former clubs.[3]

Honours

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Wrexham

References

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  1. ^ Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 404. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
  2. ^ Mike Williams testimonial matchday programme; 7/4/1992; pg. 3
  3. ^ a b Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. Yore Publications. pp. stats section. ISBN 1-874427-52-6.
  4. ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. Yore Publications. p. 100. ISBN 1-874427-52-6.
  5. ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. Yore Publications. p. 99. ISBN 1-874427-52-6.
  6. ^ Mike Williams testimonial matchday programme; 7/4/1992; pg. 5
  7. ^ Mike Williams testimonial matchday programme; 7/4/1992; pg. 2
[edit]
  • Chester City at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database