Harry Williams (soccer, born 1951) explained

Harry Williams
Fullname:Harry Williams
Birth Date:1951 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Sydney, Australia
Position:Defender
Years1:1970–1977
Years2:1978
Years3:1985–1986
Years4:1990
Clubs1:St. George-Budapest
Clubs2:Canberra City SC
Clubs3:Inter Monaro
Clubs4:Inter Monaro
Caps3:19
Caps4:2
Goals3:0
Goals4:0
Nationalyears1:1970–1977
Nationalteam1:Australia
Nationalcaps1:13
Nationalgoals1:0
Pcupdate:22 August 2007
Ntupdate:22 August 2007

Harry Williams (born 7 May 1951) is a former soccer player. He was the first recognised Indigenous Australian to play for the senior Australian national football team, the Socceroos. He was part of Australia's 1974 FIFA World Cup squad.

Early life

Williams was born in 1951[1] in Sydney of Aboriginal and Welsh descent. From the age of nine, Williams played junior soccer for St George Police Boys side in Sydney.

Career

Williams played in the New South Wales competition for St George.[1]

He was recruited to the national side at the age of 19, and went on an overseas tour with the team in 1970. In 1974, having only played six matches for Australia as a senior, Williams was part of Australia's first foray into the World Cup Finals in West Germany.[1]

Including qualifiers, Williams played six World Cup matches for Australia during his career. In total, he represented Australia 17 times between 1970 and 1978.

Recognition

A 2005 photo of Williams by photographer Sahlan Hayes was purchased by the National Gallery of Australia.[1]

Family

He is the first cousin of basketball player Claude Williams, who was the first and only Aboriginal basketball coach. Claude is the son of musician Claude "Candy" Williams.[2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Harry Williams, b. 1951 . National Portrait Gallery people . 2021 . 4 November 2022.
  2. Web site: Gorman . Joe . The Forgotten Story of … Claude Williams, former Souths player . . 4 March 2015 . 3 November 2022.