George Williams (footballer, born 1995)

For other people named George Williams, see George Williams (disambiguation).

George Williams
Williams playing for Wales against the Netherlands in 2015
Personal information
Full name George Christopher Williams[1]
Date of birth (1995-09-07) 7 September 1995 (age 29)[2]
Place of birth Milton Keynes, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3]
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Hemel Hempstead Town
Number 7
Youth career
–2012 Milton Keynes Dons
2012–2014 Fulham
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2012 Milton Keynes Dons 2 (0)
2012–2018 Fulham 15 (0)
2015 → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 4 (0)
2016 → Gillingham (loan) 10 (0)
2016–2017 → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 11 (0)
2018 → St Johnstone (loan) 11 (0)
2018–2020 Forest Green Rovers 42 (8)
2020–2021 Grimsby Town 19 (2)
2021–2022 Barrow 18 (1)
2022– Boreham Wood 8 (2)
2023 → Hemel Hempstead Town (loan) 16 (2)
2023– Hemel Hempstead Town 25 (8)
International career‡
2012 Wales U17 2 (0)
2013 Wales U19 7 (1)
2014–2016 Wales U21 3 (0)
2014–2016 Wales 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:00, 19 January 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 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.[4]

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

As of match played 13 January 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Milton Keynes Dons 2011–12[26][27][28] League One 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 1
Fulham 2012–13[29] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2013–14[30] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2014–15[31] Championship 14 0 0 0 2 0 — 16 0
2015–16[32] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
2016–17[33] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017–18[34] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 15 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 17 0
Fulham U21 2017–18[34] — — — 1[c] 1 1 1
Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 2014–15[31] League One 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Gillingham (loan) 2015–16[32] League One 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 2016–17[33] League One 11 0 0 0 2 0 2[c] 0 15 0
St Johnstone (loan) 2017–18[34] Scottish Premiership 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
Forest Green Rovers 2018–19[35] League Two 38 7 2 0 1 0 5[d] 1 46 8
2019–20[36] League Two 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
Total 42 8 2 0 1 0 5 1 50 9
Grimsby Town 2020–21[37] League Two 19 2 1 0 1 0 2[c] 0 23 2
Barrow 2021–22[38] League Two 18 1 0 0 1 0 3[c] 0 22 1
Boreham Wood 2022–23[39] National League 8 2 1 0 — 0 0 9 2
Hemel Hempstead Town (loan) 2022–23[39] National League South 16 2 — — — 16 2
Hemel Hempstead Town 2023–24[39] National League South 25 8 4 0 — 1[e] 0 30 8
Career total 181 23 9 1 7 0 14 2 211 26
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ Three appearances and one goal in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League Two play-offs
  5. ^ Appearance in FA Trophy

International

As of match played 24 March 2016[40]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Wales 2014 5 0
2015 1 0
2016 1 0
Total 7 0

References

  1. ^ "Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists" (PDF). Premier League. 4 February 2014. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  2. ^ "George Williams". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  3. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 499. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  4. ^ a b "Whitton 16-year-old becomes the youngest ever player to score in the FA Cup". East Anglian Daily Times. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  5. ^ "In focus: George Williams". Milton Keynes Dons. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  6. ^ "FFC Sign Williams". Fulham FC. 14 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Dons irked as Cottagers pounce". Sky Sports. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  8. ^ "George Williams: MK Dons re-sign Fulham & Wales midfielder". BBC Sport. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  9. ^ "Williams Injury Update". Fulham F.C. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  10. ^ "George Williams: Gillingham sign Fulham midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  11. ^ "Wales' Williams rejoins Dons". Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  12. ^ "Duo Leave On Loan | Fulham Football Club". Fulham F.C. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  13. ^ "George Williams: Forest Green sign ex-Fulham midfielder". BBC Sport. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  14. ^ "Forest Green Rovers 4-0 Cheltenham Town - Report". stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  15. ^ "Williams is a Mariner". Grimsby Town F.C. 13 August 2020.[dead link‍]
  16. ^ "Grimsby Town make seven players available for free transfers". Grimsbylive. 29 June 2021.
  17. ^ "George Williams released by Grimsby Town as he returns to EFL with League Two side - Grimsby Live". Grimsbylive. 11 August 2021.
  18. ^ "George Williams: Barrow sign Wales international after Grimsby Town release". BBC Sport. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Bluebirds Confirm Retained List". www.barrowafc.com. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  20. ^ "WELCOME, GEORGE WILLIAMS!". www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  21. ^ GEORGE WILLIAMS JOINS HEMEL HEMPSTEAD ON LOAN
  22. ^ "GEORGE BECOMES A PERMANENT TUDOR". www.hemelfc.com. Hemel Hempstead Town FC. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  23. ^ "Wales". George Williams. Archived from the original on 10 January 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  24. ^ "England U21 1–0 Wales U21". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  25. ^ "Euro 2016: Wales include Joe Ledley in 23-man squad for Euro 2016". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  26. ^ "MK Dons 0 Yeovil Town 1". Sky Sports. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  27. ^ "Hartlepool 1 MK Dons 1". Teesside Live. 3 March 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  28. ^ "MK Dons 6 — Nantwich Town 0". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Games played by George Williams in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  30. ^ "Games played by George Williams in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  31. ^ a b "Games played by George Williams in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Games played by George Williams in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  33. ^ a b "Games played by George Williams in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  34. ^ a b c "Games played by George Williams in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  35. ^ "Games played by George Williams in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  36. ^ "Games played by George Williams in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  37. ^ "Games played by George Williams in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  38. ^ "Games played by George Williams in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  39. ^ a b c "G. Williams: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  40. ^ "Williams, George". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 16 May 2021.