George Williams (footballer, born 1995) explained

George Williams
Fullname:George Christopher Williams[1]
Birth Date:1995 9, df=y[2]
Birth Place:Milton Keynes, England
Height:[3]
Position:Winger
Clubnumber:7
Youthclubs1:Milton Keynes Dons
Youthyears1:–2012
Youthclubs2:Fulham
Youthyears2:2012–2014
Years1:2011–2012
Clubs1:Milton Keynes Dons
Caps1:2
Goals1:0
Years2:2012–2018
Clubs2:Fulham
Caps2:15
Goals2:0
Years3:2015
Clubs3:Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
Caps3:4
Goals3:0
Years4:2016
Clubs4:Gillingham (loan)
Caps4:10
Goals4:0
Years5:2016–2017
Clubs5:Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
Caps5:11
Goals5:0
Years6:2018
Clubs6:St Johnstone (loan)
Caps6:11
Goals6:0
Years7:2018–2020
Clubs7:Forest Green Rovers
Caps7:42
Goals7:8
Years8:2020–2021
Clubs8:Grimsby Town
Caps8:19
Goals8:2
Years9:2021–2022
Clubs9:Barrow
Caps9:18
Goals9:1
Years10:2022–
Clubs10:Boreham Wood
Caps10:8
Goals10:2
Years11:2023
Clubs11:Hemel Hempstead Town (loan)
Caps11:16
Goals11:2
Years12:2023–
Caps12:25
Goals12:8
Nationalyears1:2012
Nationalteam1:Wales U17
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2013
Nationalteam2:Wales U19
Nationalcaps2:7
Nationalgoals2:1
Nationalyears3:2014–2016
Nationalteam3:Wales U21
Nationalcaps3:3
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2014–2016
Nationalteam4:Wales
Nationalcaps4:7
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:14:00, 19 January 2024 (UTC)
Ntupdate:22:10, 17 January 2022 (UTC)

George Christopher Williams (born 7 September 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for National League South club Hemel Hempstead Town.

He has previously played in the Football League for Fulham, Milton Keynes Dons, Gillingham, Forest Green Rovers, Grimsby Town and Barrow, as well as in the Scottish Premiership with St Johnstone and for non-league club Boreham Wood. He is a former Wales international who earned 7 caps between 2014 and 2016 and was part of their UEFA Euro 2016 squad.

Between 12 November 2011 and 1 September 2020, Williams was the record holder for being the youngest ever player to score in the FA Cup at the age of 16 years and 66 days following his goal for Milton Keynes Dons in a 6–0 win over Nantwich Town.[4]

Club career

Milton Keynes Dons

Born in Milton Keynes, Williams joined the academy of Milton Keynes Dons at a young age and progressed through several age groups alongside future England international Dele Alli.[5] On 12 November 2011, at the age of 16 years and 66 days, he made his first team debut and scored in a 6–0 home FA Cup first round win over Nantwich Town. In doing so, Williams became the youngest ever player to score in the history of the competition, as well as becoming the club's youngest ever goalscorer.

Fulham

On 14 June 2012, Williams joined Premier League side Fulham as a first year academy scholar for the 2012–13 season after an undisclosed compensation package was agreed between the two clubs.[6] Following his move to Fulham, MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman said he was disappointed seeing Williams leave the club, and told the club's official website: "We are very disappointed that George has chosen not to take up his scholarship or the offer of a professional contract with MK Dons and has instead decided his future is best served with Fulham".[7]

Loan spells

On 16 February 2015, Williams rejoined League One side Milton Keynes Dons on a youth loan for the remainder of the 2014–15 season,[8] but his loan was cut short by an anterior cruciate ligament injury, keeping him out for between four and six months.[9]

On 12 February 2016, Williams joined League One side Gillingham on loan until the end of the 2015–16 season.[10]

On 29 July 2016, Williams returned to Milton Keynes Dons on loan until the end of the 2016–17 season.[11]

On 31 January 2018, Williams joined Scottish Premiership side St. Johnstone on loan until the end of the 2017–18 season.[12]

Forest Green Rovers

On 12 June 2018, Williams signed for League Two club Forest Green Rovers.[13] On 4 September 2018, He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-0 EFL Trophy win over Cheltenham Town.[14]

Grimsby Town

On 13 August 2020, Williams signed a two-year contract with League Two team Grimsby Town.[15]

Following on from Grimsby's relegation from the Football League at the end of the 2020–21 season, Williams was deemed surplus to requirements and was transfer listed by manager Paul Hurst with the player being made available on a free transfer.[16]

On 11 August 2021, Williams was released by Grimsby by mutual consent, he played 23 times for The Mariners, scoring twice in all competitions but had struggled to break into Hurst's team after initially being brought to the club by previous manager Ian Holloway.[17]

Barrow

On the same day as his release by Grimsby, it was announced that Williams had joined Barrow in August 2021.[18] He was released at the end of the season.[19]

Boreham Wood

On 14 July 2022, Williams signed for National League club Boreham Wood.[20] In February 2023, he joined Hemel Hempstead Town on loan until the end of the season.[21]

Hemel Hempstead Town

Following a loan at the end of the previous season, Williams signed a permanent deal with Hemel Hempstead Town on 16 May 2023.[22]

International career

Williams qualifies for Wales through his mother and represented Wales at under-17 and under-19 levels.[23] On 5 March 2014, Williams made his Wales under-21 debut as an 83rd-minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat to England.[24] On 27 May 2014, he was called up to the senior Wales squad for a friendly match against Holland to be played on 4 June 2014 as a replacement for the injured Gareth Bale. He made his international debut as a replacement for Jonathan Williams in the 70th minute of the match.

Williams was included by manager Chris Coleman as a member of Wales' Euro 2016 squad that reached the semi-finals of the tournament, although he did not make an appearance.[25]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Milton Keynes Dons2011–12[26] [27] [28] League One2011000031
Fulham2012–13Premier League00000000
2013–14Premier League00000000
2014–15Championship1400020160
2015–16Championship10000010
2016–17Championship0000000000
2017–18Championship0000000000
Total150002000170
Fulham U212017–181111
Milton Keynes Dons (loan)2014–15League One4000000040
Gillingham (loan)2015–16League One100000000100
Milton Keynes Dons (loan)2016–17League One110002020150
St Johnstone (loan)2017–18Scottish Premiership110000000110
Forest Green Rovers2018–19League Two387201051468
2019–20League Two4100000041
Total428201051509
Grimsby Town2020–21League Two192101020232
Barrow2021–22League Two181001030221
Boreham Wood2022–23[29] National League82100092
Hemel Hempstead Town (loan)2022–23National League South162162
Hemel Hempstead Town2023–24National League South2584010308
Career total18123917014221126

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Wales201450
201510
201610
Total70

Notes and References

  1. News: Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists. Premier League . 15 . 4 February 2014 . 29 July 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140316063138/http://www.premierleague.com/content/dam/premierleague/site-content/News/publications/squad-lists/Premier-League-Squad-Lists-January-2014.pdf . 16 March 2014.
  2. Web site: George Williams. 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 21 July 2018.
  3. Book: Glenda . Rollin . Jack . Rollin . Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 . 2012 . . London . 978-0-7553-6356-8 . 499 . 43rd .
  4. Web site: Whitton 16-year-old becomes the youngest ever player to score in the FA Cup . . 2 September 2020 . 10 January 2021 .
  5. Web site: In focus: George Williams . . 29 July 2016 . 10 January 2021 .
  6. News: FFC Sign Williams . Fulham FC . 14 June 2012.
  7. News: Dons irked as Cottagers pounce. Sky Sports. 14 June 2012. 22 June 2012.
  8. News: George Williams: MK Dons re-sign Fulham & Wales midfielder. BBC Sport. 16 February 2015. 16 February 2015.
  9. News: Williams Injury Update. Fulham F.C.. 9 March 2015. 9 March 2015.
  10. News: George Williams: Gillingham sign Fulham midfielder on loan. BBC Sport. 12 February 2016. 15 February 2016.
  11. News: Wales' Williams rejoins Dons. 31 January 2018.
  12. Web site: Duo Leave On Loan Fulham Football Club. Fulham F.C.. 31 January 2018.
  13. Web site: George Williams: Forest Green sign ex-Fulham midfielder. 12 June 2018. BBC Sport. 17 July 2018.
  14. News: Forest Green Rovers 4-0 Cheltenham Town - Report. stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk. 4 September 2018. 10 September 2018.
  15. Web site: Williams is a Mariner. Grimsby Town F.C.. 13 August 2020.
  16. News: Grimsby Town make seven players available for free transfers. Grimsbylive. 29 June 2021.
  17. News: George Williams released by Grimsby Town as he returns to EFL with League Two side - Grimsby Live. Grimsbylive. 11 August 2021.
  18. Web site: George Williams: Barrow sign Wales international after Grimsby Town release. BBC Sport. 11 August 2021. 12 August 2021.
  19. Web site: Bluebirds Confirm Retained List . 2022-05-13 . www.barrowafc.com . en-gb.
  20. Web site: WELCOME, GEORGE WILLIAMS!. www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk. 14 July 2022. 14 July 2022.
  21. https://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk/uncategorized/george-williams-joins-hemel-hempstead-on-loan/ GEORGE WILLIAMS JOINS HEMEL HEMPSTEAD ON LOAN
  22. Web site: GEORGE BECOMES A PERMANENT TUDOR . www.hemelfc.com . Hemel Hempstead Town FC . 14 August 2023.
  23. Web site: Wales . George Williams . 20 April 2014 . 10 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150110011243/http://www.georgewilliamsfootballer.co.uk/#/wales/4583239145 . dead .
  24. News: England U21 1–0 Wales U21 . BBC Sport . 20 April 2014.
  25. News: Euro 2016: Wales include Joe Ledley in 23-man squad for Euro 2016 . BBC Sport . 31 May 2016.
  26. Web site: MK Dons 0 Yeovil Town 1. Sky Sports. 16 May 2021.
  27. Web site: Hartlepool 1 MK Dons 1. Teesside Live. 3 March 2012. 16 May 2021.
  28. News: MK Dons 6 — Nantwich Town 0. BBC Sport. 16 May 2021.
  29. Web site: G. Williams: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 19 January 2024 .