Huw Williams Explained

Huw Williams
Fullname:	Huw John Williams^[1]
Birth Date:	1960 11, df=y^[2] ^[3]
Birth Place:	Porthmadog, Wales
Currentclub:	Kansas City Current (technical staff)
Manageryears1:	2013–2016
Managerclubs1:	FC Kansas City (assistant/ director)
Manageryears2:	2021
Managerclubs2:	Kansas City Current

Huw John Williams (born 20 November 1960) is a Welsh football coach and former player who was previously the head coach of Kansas City NWSL in the American National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) for their inaugural season.^[4]

Early life

Born in Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Williams attended Cardiff University where he played football for the British Colleges and the All British Students teams. While at Cardiff, he was selected to play in the World Student Games in Tokyo. At age 14, he joined professional club Blackburn Rovers F.C. where he played for five years.^[5]

Coaching career

Early coaching in the US

Williams is a former director of coaching for Kansas Youth Soccer and a member of the Regional II coaching staff of the United States Youth Soccer Association. He was the men's coach at Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri, from 1989 to 1992.

Williams was a founder, assistant coach and general manager of the now-defunct FC Kansas City of the National Women's Soccer League.^[6] He was also the sports manager for GSI Sports, a US youth football tournament and league management company.^[7]

Kansas City (2021)

On 29 January 2021, Williams was announced as the head coach of the new expansion team Kansas City NWSL.^{[8] [9]} After one season as head coach he moved to a technical-staff scouting and talent identification role. The club went 3-14-7 in his lone year at the helm finishing last in the NWSL with 16 points.^[10] Williams transitioned to a front office role with the newly-named Kansas City Current but was relieved of his duties by November 2022 following accusations of disrespectful and inappropriate conduct towards the team's roster which was later proved to be unsubstantiated.^[11]

Personal life

His daughter, Nia Williams, played soccer professionally for FC Kansas City in the NWSL.^{[12] [13]}

Notes and References

1. News: Thanks Huw! . . 19 December 2018 . 8 January 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211116082304/http://www.porthmadogfc.com/newyddion156.htm . 16 November 2021.
2. KC Athletics Soccer Club . KC Athletics . AthleticsKC . 1064963266617720834 . 20 November 2018 . Happy birthday to KCAthletics Executive Director, Huw Williams . 8 January 2022 . live . https://archive.today/20220108225018/https://twitter.com/AthleticsKC/status/1064963266617720834 . 8 January 2022.
3. News: Goodwin . Shaun . Kansas City, Missouri . Williams on life in Kansas City: 'You become part of the family over here' . . 141 . 255 . 1B . 30 May 2021 . 8 January 2022.
4. News: This team won two straight championships in Kansas City. Expectations haven't changed. The Kansas City Star. 18 December 2020.
5. Web site: FC Kansas City coaching staff announced. 5 December 2012. FC Kansas City.
6. Web site: Front Office. FC Kansas City.
7. Web site: GSI Sports. www.gsisports.com.
8. Web site: KC NWSL announces staff for inaugural season. Thad. Bell. 11 January 2021. The Blue Testament.
9. Web site: Former GM Becomes Kansas City NWSL Head Coach - KC NWSL. 29 January 2021. www.kcwoso.com.
10. Web site: Kansas City searching for new head coach; Huw Williams shifts to technical role. The Equalizer.
11. Web site: NWSL report: Players allege Current ignored mistreatment by former coach Huw Williams. Palmer. Tod. kshb.com. December 14, 2022. December 14, 2022. en.
12. Web site: Nia Williams Player Profile . Missouri State University . May 8, 2013.
13. Web site: Soccer's in her blood . The Leaven . May 8, 2013 . dead . https://archive.today/20130616091307/http://www.theleaven.com/v34/v34n32soccer_nia.html . June 16, 2013 . mdy-all .