Early career Born and raised in
Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, Williams joined his local league club
Middlesbrough as a schoolboy in 1972, signing apprentice forms with the club once he had turned 15. However, when "Boro" decided not to offer Williams a professional
contract in August 1976, he was immediately offered a second chance by
Manchester United. Williams spent 12 months at
Old Trafford before they in turn decided to release him. Upon his release from United, Williams returned to the
North East. He had spells with both
Billingham Synthonia and
Gateshead before he was spotted by a
scout from
Southampton, who offered him a trial with the club in March 1978. After just a handful of
reserve team outings, he was
loaned out to basement club
Exeter City for the start of the
1978–79 season. In his month at
St James Park, Williams made two appearances, scoring once, before returning to the Saints. He made his debut on 3 March 1979, taking
Terry Curran's place at
outside left at home to
Arsenal against
England international full-back
Kenny Sansom. He made only three further starts, plus two
substitute appearances before he was given a
free transfer to
Stockport County in September 1979.
Stockport County It was at County that Williams found his feet, becoming a favourite with the Stockport fans. A quick
winger with an eye for goal, Williams was at his most dangerous with the ball at his feet attacking the opposition
full back. He acted as the
captain whenever skipper
Tommy Sword was unavailable. He cracked his left
kneecap in a training accident in February 1985. He recovered his first-team place on his recovery two months later. He made his debut on 26 August and scored on his home debut at
Deepdale the following week in a 2–1 victory over
Swansea City. He signed for
Northern Premier League Premier Division side
Hyde United for the
1994–95 season. He played 29 games and scored once during his time at
Ewen Fields, helping the "Tigers" to a fourth-place finish and qualification to the first round of the
FA Cup, with his goal coming as a last-minute
equaliser to take the FA Cup second-round qualification match at
Colwyn Bay to a
replay. ==Post-retirement==