Johnny Williams (footballer, born 1947)

John Robert Williams (26 March 1947 – 22 January 2021) was an English footballer who played as a left-back. He died in January 2021, aged 73.[1]

Johnny Williams
Personal information
Full name John Robert Williams
Date of birth (1947-03-26)26 March 1947
Place of birth Tottenham, London, England
Date of death 22 January 2021(2021-01-22) (aged 73)
Position(s) Left back
Youth career
Bennetts End Youth Club
1962–1964 Watford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1975 Watford 374 (2)
1975–1978 Colchester United 108 (1)
1978–1979 Margate 65 (2)
1979–1981 Gravesend & Northfleet 36 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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After playing for Bennetts End Youth Club, Williams joined Watford as an apprentice in 1962, aged 15. He turned professional in September 1964, and went on to make 419 competitive appearances for Watford in the Football League, FA Cup and Football League Cup. He was part of the side that achieved promotion to the Second Division in 1968–69,[2] and in 1970 played in Watford's first ever FA Cup semi final, against Chelsea.[3] Williams scored two goals for Watford. Both came in 1971–72, a season in which Watford scored fewer goals than any other in their history.[2]

Williams left Watford on a free transfer in 1975.[2] He joined Colchester United, where he made 108 Football League appearances, scoring once, before joining non-league side Margate. He signed for Gravesend & Northfleet in December 1979 and played for two seasons before joining Chelmsford City.[4]

Honours

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Club

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Watford[5]

References

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  1. ^ Gray, Ryan (22 January 2021). "Former Watford player Johnny Williams dies aged 73". Watford Observer. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Trefor Jones (1996). The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. p. 242. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
  3. ^ "1970 FA Cup semi final". Watford Football Club. 22 April 2007. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
  4. ^ "Colchester United: 1950/51 to 1989/90 & 1992/93 to 2008/09". Neil Brown. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
  5. ^ "Tier Three (League One) Honours". Coludaybyday.co.uk.
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