Ady Williams

Last updated

Ady Williams
Personal information
Date of birth (1971-08-16) 16 August 1971 (age 52)
Place of birth Reading, England
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1989–1996 Reading 196 (14)
1996–2000 Wolverhampton Wanderers 28 (0)
2000 → Reading (loan) 15 (1)
2000–2004 Reading 122 (3)
2004–2006 Coventry City 35 (2)
2005 → Millwall (loan) 12 (1)
2006–2009 Swindon Town 28 (0)
2009 Weston-super-Mare ? (?)
International career‡
1994–2003 Wales 13 (1)
Managerial career
1994–1995 Reading (joint caretaker)
2006 Swindon Town (caretaker)
2010 Bedford Town
2011 Didcot Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:38, 20 January 2008 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:47, 23 May 2006 (UTC)

Adrian Williams (born 16 August 1971) is a former Wales international footballer and former Didcot Town manager. He now presents the sports coverage on BBC Radio Berkshire.

Contents

Club career

Reading

Born in Reading, Williams started his career with Reading, making his first appearance in the 1991–92 season. This first spell at Reading saw him established as a firm fans favourite. His talent and youth saw him play in every position for The Royals, from centre-forward to emergency goalkeeper, wearing every shirt number from 1–11, plus both substitute numbers 12 and 14, in the process. He was a regular in the side that missed out on promotion to the Premier League, eventually losing to Bolton Wanderers in the 1994–95 First Division Play-off Final at Wembley. Williams had scored the second goal in that game, giving them a 2–0 lead in the first half, before two late goals saw Bolton draw level and force extra time, going on to win the game 4–3 and seal a place in the Premier League – a level at which Williams would ultimately never play. [1]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

In 1996, he was signed by Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he remained until the 1999–2000 season. His time at Molineux was largely interrupted by injury; he made just 36 appearances in over three seasons.

Return to Reading

He returned to Reading during the 1999–2000 season and played a crucial part in their rejuvenation under Alan Pardew and their promotion to back to the First Division in 2001–02. In a vote to compile the Royals' best-ever eleven, Williams was voted the best centre back with 59.9% of the vote. [2] [3] [4]

Coventry City

Despite being a firm favourite at the Madejski Stadium he chose to move to Championship rivals Coventry City on a free transfer in Autumn 2004, having been refused the contract he wanted with Reading. Signed by Peter Reid to replace Calum Davenport and Muhamed Konjić, Williams went on to make 23 appearances in League and Cup, scoring goals in a 2–1 win at Millmoor against Rotherham United, and in a 2–1 home defeat by Queens Park Rangers.

He started the 2005–06 season out of the Sky Blues side and joined struggling Millwall on loan for three months. Following the end of this loan spell, Williams returned to the Coventry side for the home game against his old club Wolves on 2 January 2006, playing a key defensive role in a 2–0 home win. This performance, and other similar performances put him right back in the first team picture at the Ricoh Arena.

Swindon Town

Williams joined Swindon Town in the summer of 2006, and following the resignation of Dave Tuttle as caretaker manager, Williams briefly held that position himself until the appointment of Paul Sturrock on 7 November 2006. On 3 May 2008 he decided that the Swindon Town vs Millwall game would be his last, ending his 19-year career span, although ultimately he was not selected on the day. [5]

Weston-super-Mare

Williams joined Weston-super-Mare in June 2009,. [6]

International career

Williams was born in Reading but qualified to play for Wales through his father. He made seven international appearances during his first spell with Reading, including one at home to Moldova in 1995 alongside fellow Reading player Lee Nogan. Five more caps followed whilst at Wolverhampton Wanderers, including scoring his first international goal during a 2–1 win over Denmark, [7] [8] and in November 2002 he received his first international call-up for three years when he was selected for a squad to take on Azerbaijan. [9] On 26 May 2003 Williams played the full 90 minutes as Wales lost 2–0 against the USA in an international friendly at the Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California, his first international start for four years. [10] He was an unused substitute for a number of matches including an away defeat to Italy in the San Siro, while he missed the play-off with Russia through injury.

Managerial career

Bedford Town

On 23 March 2010, Williams accepted his first managerial post as boss of Southern League Premier strugglers Bedford Town F.C. Whilst Ady initially improved their form enabling them to stave off relegation, they made a poor start to the 2010/11 season struggling in the relegation places and making early exits from the FA Cup and FA Trophy. Following the away FA Trophy defeat to Harlow on 16 October 2010, Williams resigned his position.

Didcot Town

On 29 January 2011, he took charge of Southern League Premier Division side Didcot Town. Williams was replaced however in the summer of 2011 by Francis Vines.

Honours

Individual

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Al-Habsi</span> Omani footballer

Ali Abdullah Harib Al-Habsi is an Omani retired professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played for the Oman national team for nearly two decades, from 2001 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Didcot Town F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Didcot Town Football Club are a football club based in Didcot in Oxfordshire, England. The club is affiliated to the Berks & Bucks Football Association They won the FA Vase in 2005 and are currently members of Division One Central of the Southern League, having been relegated from the Premier Division in 2010–11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Hunt (footballer, born 1981)</span> Irish footballer

Stephen Patrick Hunt is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a winger for Crystal Palace, Brentford, Reading, Hull City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ipswich Town and Coventry City. At international level, he made 39 appearances scoring once for the Republic of Ireland national team. His younger brother, Noel, is also a footballer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Cox (footballer, born 1987)</span> Footballer (born 1987)

Simon Richard Cox is a retired professional football player and Republic of Ireland international, who played as a striker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Parkinson</span> English association football player and manager (born 1967)

Philip John Parkinson is an English professional football manager and former player who played as a midfielder. He is currently manager of EFL League One side Wrexham.

Andrew John Hughes is an English footballer who is a first team coach for EFL Championship club Norwich City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Pearce (footballer, born 1988)</span> Footballer (born 1988)

Alexander James Pearce is a professional footballer who plays as a centre back for EFL League Two club AFC Wimbledon and the Republic of Ireland national team. He made two international appearances for the Scotland under-21 team but has played for the Republic of Ireland at full international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jem Karacan</span> Turkish professional footballer (born 1989)

Jem Paul Karacan is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Karacan spent the majority of his career with Reading, whilst also playing for AFC Bournemouth, Millwall, Galatasaray, Bursaspor, Bolton Wanderers, Central Coast Mariners, Scunthorpe United and Radcliffe. Internationally He played for the Turkish youth team, and has captained the U-21 side.

Reading Football Club played the 2008–09 season in the Football League Championship, having been relegated on the final day of the 2007–08 Premier League season. Despite a strong start to the season, especially at home, Reading were unable to secure promotion at the first attempt; a poor run of form in 2009 saw Reading win just 5 of their last 17 league games, the Royals finishing 4th in the league. Reading were defeated 3–0 on aggregate by Burnley in the play-off semi-finals.

During the 1994–95 English football season, Reading F.C. competed in the Football League First Division, following promotion from the Second Division the previous season.

The 2000–01 season was Reading's third season in Division Two, following their relegation from the Division One in 1998. It was Alan Pardew's second season as manager of the club. Reading finished the season in third place, qualifying for the Playoffs, where they were defeated in the final by Walsall 3–2. In the FA Cup, Reading were knocked out by York City after a replay in the Second Round, whilst in the League Cup, Leyton Orient defeated Reading over two legs in the First Round. Reading also reached the Second Round of the League Trophy, before defeat to Swansea City.

The 1999–2000 season was Reading F.C.'s second consecutive season in Division Two, following their relegation from the Division One in 1998.

During the 1995–96 English football season, Reading F.C. competed in the Football League First Division, following missing out on promotion to the Premier League the previous season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jón Daði Böðvarsson</span> Icelandic footballer

Jón Daði Böðvarsson is an Icelandic professional footballer who plays as a striker for League One club Bolton Wanderers. Jón Daði is the grandson of two of Iceland's premier writers, Þorsteinn frá Hamri and Ásta Sigurðardóttir.

The 2014–15 season is Reading Football Club's second season in the Championship following the side's relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2012–13 season. The season began with Nigel Adkins as manager; he was replaced by Steve Clarke in December.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Kuhl</span> English footballer

Aaron Kuhl is an English semi-professional footballer who plays for National League side Dorking Wanderers as a midfielder. He was a member of the Reading academy and made his debut for the club before loan spells with Dundee United in Scotland during 2015, and with Boreham Wood in 2016. He has represented England at under-19 and under-20 level.

The 2015–16 season was Reading's 145th year in existence and third consecutive season in the Championship, and covered the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016. Reading finished the season 17th in the Championship, whilst also reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and the Third Round of the League Cup.

The 2016–17 season was Reading's 146th year in existence and fourth consecutive season in the Championship, and covers the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017. Reading finished 3rd in the league, qualifying for the play-offs, eventually losing to Huddersfield Town in the final on penalties.

The 2017–18 season was Reading's 147th year in existence and fifth consecutive season in the Championship, and covers the period from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018.

The 2021–22 season was Reading's 151st year in existence and ninth consecutive season in the Championship, and covered the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.

References

  1. ↑ "Bolton 0–2 Reading – Williams". YouTube. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  2. ↑ Reading | System | Error Page | Error Archived 6 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ "Adie named best ever centre-back". readingfc.co.uk. 26 May 2005. Archived from the original on 3 November 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  4. ↑ "The Royals' best-ever XI as voted for by fans". readingfc.co.uk. 23 August 2005. Archived from the original on 13 April 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  5. ↑ "Ex-Royals star guilty of assault – News – getreading – Reading Post". getreading. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  6. ↑ "Weston pull off Williams signing coup". westonsupermareafc.co.uk. 26 June 2009. Archived from the original on 27 June 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  7. ↑ "Welsh warriors conquer Denmark". BBC Sport. 10 October 1998. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  8. ↑ "Wales – international results 1990–1999 – details". RSSSF . Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  9. ↑ "Player Profile: Adie Williams". readingfc.co.uk. 27 October 2004. Archived from the original on 28 February 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  10. ↑ "Adie makes first international start for four years". readingfc.co.uk. 17 November 2004. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  11. ↑ Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. p. 150.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.