| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Williams | ||
| Date of birth | 31 December 1965 | ||
| Place of birth | Mancot, Wales | ||
| Position(s) | Defender/Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Everton | |||
| Hawarden Rangers | |||
| Chester City | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1982–1984 | Chester | 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.
Williams had been with Everton as a schoolboy before playing for Hawarden Rangers, where he was spotted by Chester coach Cliff Sear. [1] He made his Football League debut on 8 May 1982 in a 2–1 home defeat to Lincoln City in the number eight shirt. [2] 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. [3] 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. [4]
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. [5] 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. [6]
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. [2]
Wrexham
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