| Mike Williams | |
| Fullname: | Michael Williams |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in[1] |
| Birth Date: | 1965 12, df=y |
| Birth Place: | Mancot, Wales |
| Position: | Defender, midfielder |
| Youthclubs2: | Hawarden Rangers |
| Youthclubs3: | Chester |
| Years1: | 1982–1984 |
| Years2: | 1984–1991 |
| Clubs2: | Wrexham |
| Caps1: | 34 |
| Caps2: | 178 |
| Goals1: | 4 |
| Goals2: | 3 |
| Nationalteam1: | Wales Youth |
Michael Williams (born 6 February 1965) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played in The Football League for Chester City and Wrexham as both a defender and a midfielder.
Williams had been with Everton as a schoolboy before playing for Hawarden Rangers, where he was spotted by Chester coach Cliff Sear.[2] He made his Football League debut on 8 May 1982 in a 2–1 home defeat to Lincoln City in the number eight shirt.[3] He had spells in and out of the first–team over the next two years, in a side that contained fellow homegrown youngsters such as Paul Blackwell, Peter Bulmer and Peter Zelem.
He made his final appearance for Chester against Bristol City on 7 May 1984 before he was released by manager John McGrath.[4] During his time at Chester, Williams and teammate John Allen had been set to join Chelsea on trial with a view to permanent transfers, but the deals collapsed after Williams was stretchered off in a match against Hartlepool United.[5]
He quickly joined Chester's arch rivals Wrexham, where he quickly established himself in the first-team side. Over the next six years, Williams went on to make 238 first-team appearances for the North Wales club, helping them win the Welsh Cup against Kidderminster Harriers in 1985–86.[6] His final game for the club came in a European Cup Winners Cup tie against Manchester United in October 1990, with a persistent knee injury forcing him to retire from playing the following year.[7]
On 7 April 1992, a testimonial match for Williams was staged between Wrexham and Chester City. A crowd of 1,984 saw a 1–1 draw between Williams' two former clubs.[3]
Wrexham