Harry Williams (footballer, born 1996)

English footballer

Harry WilliamsPersonal information

Full name|  Harry John Robert Williams[1]
Date of birth|  (1996-01-17) 17 January 1996 (age 29)
Place of birth|  Cirencester, England
Height|  1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s)|  Forward
Team information

Current team

|  Swindon Supermarine
Youth career
2012–2014|  Cheltenham Town
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2013–2016|  Cheltenham Town|  13|  (0)
2013|  → Bishop's Cleeve (loan)|  |
2013|  → Farnborough (loan)|  1|  (0)
2014|  → Evesham United (loan)|  7|  (4)
2014|  → Gloucester City (loan)|  7|  (3)
2015|  → Farnborough (loan)|  16|  (10)
2015|  → Gloucester City (loan)|  9|  (4)
2016–2017|  Sacramento Republic|  41|  (5)
2018–2019|  Gloucester City|  22|  (4)
2019–2023|  Swindon Supermarine|  108|  (57)
2021|  → Cirencester Town (loan)|  4|  (5)
2023|  Gloucester City|  12|  (2)
2023–2024|  Salisbury|  12|  (3)
2024–|  Swindon Supermarine|  0|  (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11:24, 31 January 2024 (UTC)

Harry John Robert Williams (born 17 January 1996)[3] is an English footballer who plays for Swindon Supermarine as a forward.

## Career

[edit]

### Cheltenham Town

[edit]

Williams was born in Cirencester, Gloucestershire,[4] and began a scholarship with Cheltenham Town in July 2012.[5] Williams previously was at Southside before being scouted at eight. Despite this, Williams remained at the club until he went on a six weeks trial with Cheltenham Town, which ultimately led him joining the club.[6]

He is a product of the Cheltenham Town youth system, starting at the Academy in the Under 9's, making his first-team debut at the age of 17, on 22 October 2013, as a late substitute as Cheltenham beat Morecambe 3–0 in League Two.[4] As a result of making his first team breakthrough at Cheltenham Town, Williams went on to win the club's Young Player of the Year[7] and was honoured by the League Football Education.[8] Additionally, Williams was nominated for Young Sports Personality of the year at the Gloucestershire Media Sports.[6]

Following this reward Williams continued the second year of his scholarship, scoring a Cheltenham Town youth record 38 goals.[9] Added to this he scored in every round of the FA Youth cup that the club participated in. This resulted in him being offered his first professional deal, signing two-year contract on 1 July 2014.[10] After making eight more appearances in the 2014–15 season, Williams signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2016.[11]

On 9 December 2015 it was announced that Williams' contract will not be renewed at the end of the season.[12]

### Loan Spells from Cheltenham Town

[edit]

In December 2013, Williams was loaned out to Conference South side Farnborough and made one appearance before returning to his parent club.[13]

On 5 September 2014, Williams joined Evesham United on a one-month loan.[14] The next day, Williams scored on his Evesham United debut, in a 1–1 draw against Wimborne Town.[15] Williams then made his first start for Evesham United in the following game that saw them lose 3–1 against Didcot Town.[16] After extending his loan for the second[17] and third time,[18] Williams went on to make eleven appearances for the club and scored five times before recalled by his parent club on 17 November 2014.[19]

After his loan spell at Evesham United came to an end, Williams once again loaned out when he joined Gloucester City on 12 March 2015 for a one-month loan.[20] Three days later, on 15 March 2015, Williams made his Gloucester City debut, making his first start, in a 1–0 loss against Boston United.[21] Williams then scored his first Gloucester City goal, in a 3–1 win over Leamington on 5 April 2015.[22] Williams soon extended his loan spell with the club until the end of the season[23] and scored three times in seven appearances before being recalled in mid-April.[24]

Prior to the 2015/16 campaign Williams, along with another Cheltenham Town youngster Bobbie Dale, joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Farnborough on loan until January.[25] Williams went on to make ten appearances and scoring ten times, including scoring a hat-trick against Three Bridges on 21 October 2015.[26] However, Williams was recalled by his parent club in late=October.[27]

Shortly after ending his loan spell at Farnborough, Williams re-joined Gloucester City for the second time on 12 November 2015.[28] Williams then re-debuted for the club on 14 November 2015, in a 1–0 loss against Lowestoft Town.[29] Williams eventually scored four times in nine appearances before returning to his parent club on loan.

### Sacramento Republic

[edit]

After leaving Cheltenham Town, Williams moved to United States, signing for United Soccer League club Sacramento Republic in February 2016 where he reunited with former Cheltenham Town manager Paul Buckle.[30]

After picking up a minor knee injury in pre-season,[31] Williams eventually made his Sacramento Republic USL debut on 12 June 2016, in a 2–1 win over Real Monarchs.[32] Williams then scored his first Sacramento Republic goal on 7 May 2016, in a 2–0 win against LA Galaxy II.[33] Williams scored 4 goals during the regular season (a team high for a player of U23 age), with the 3rd goal being the winning goal versus Orange County Blues, a 2–1 win which secured a place in the playoffs for Sacramento Republic.[34]

### Return to Non-League

[edit]

He rejoined Gloucester City in February 2018 on non-contract terms until the end of the 2017/2018 season.[35] In February 2019, he signed for Southern Football League Premier Division South side Swindon Supermarine.[36] In October 2021, he was loaned out to Southern League Division One South side Cirencester Town.[37] When returning to the side after the loan spell at Cirencester, Williams shone scoring a further 16 goals for Swindon Supermarine that season. Fast forward to the 2022/2023 season, leading the way for the majority of the season, Williams ended up the joint top scorer in the Southern League Premier South, scoring 34 league goals in just 34 games (5 pens, 29 open play), with a further 5 goals in 7 Southern league cup and FA Cup appearances. Most impressively he scored 8 goals (home and away) against teams that ended up in the Top 5 places in the League. In May 2023, he returned to Gloucester City[38] before joining Salisbury in November 2023.[39]

## Career statistics

[edit]

As of match played 3 May 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition  Club  | Season  | League  | National Cup[a] | League Cup | Other  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|

Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
Cheltenham Town | 2013–14[40] | League Two | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0
2014–15[41] | League Two | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0
2015–16[42] | National League | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0
Total  | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0
Farnborough (loan) | 2014–15[2] | Conference South | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0
Evesham United (loan)  | 2014–15 | SL Division One South & West | 7 | 4 | — | — | 3[b] | 1 | 10 | 5
Gloucester City (loan) | 2014–15[2] | Conference North | 7 | 3 | — | — | — | 7 | 3
Farnborough (loan)  | 2015–16[43] | IL Premier Division | 10 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | 2[c] | 3 | 14 | 7
Gloucester City (loan)  | 2015–16[2] | National League North | 9 | 4 | — | — | 2[d] | 0 | 11 | 4
Sacramento Republic | 2016[2] | USL Championship | 23 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 4
2017[2] | USL Championship  | 18 | 1 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 22 | 4
Total  | 41 | 5 | 5 | 3 | — | — | 46 | 8
Gloucester City  | 2017–18[2] | National League South | 7 | 3 | — | — | — | 7 | 3
2018–19[2] | National League South | 15 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | 1[d] | 0 | 20 | 2
Total  | 22 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | 27 | 5
Swindon Supermarine | 2018–19 | SL Premier Division  | 8 | 1 | — | — | 1[e] | 1 | 9 | 2
2019–20 | SL Premier Division  | 28 | 11 | 1 | 0 | — | 4[f] | 2 | 33 | 13
2020–21 | SL Premier Division  | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 2[d] | 0 | 10 | 2
2021–22 | SL Premier Division  | 32 | 9 | 1 | 0 | — | 5[g] | 7 | 38 | 16
2022–23 | SL Premier Division  | 34 | 34 | 0 | 0 | — | 7[d] | 5 | 41 | 39
Cirencester Town (loan)  | 2021–22 | SL Division One South  | 4 | 5 | — | — | 1[d] | 0 | 5 | 4
Career total  | 222 | 85 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 19 | 266 | 109

1. ^ Includes FA Cup, U.S. Open Cup
2. ^ Two appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, one in Southern Football League Cup
3. ^ Appearances in Isthmian League Cup
4. ^ a b c d e Appearances in FA Trophy
5. ^ Appearances in Wiltshire County FA Senior Cup
6. ^ One appearance in FA Trophy, two appearances and one goal in Southern Football League Cup, one appearance and one goal in Wiltshire Premier Shield
7. ^ Two appearances and two goals in Southern Football League Cup, three appearances and five goals in Wiltshire Premier Shield

## Personal life

[edit]

While playing in the America, Williams shared his apartment with teammate, Mackenzie Pridham.[44]

Growing up in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, England, Williams began playing football at age five and attended Glenfall Primary School[6] and Balcarras School.[45] While playing in America, Williams was nicknamed "Hack-A-Harry".[31]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The Football League Limited: Club list of registered players as at 16th May 2015" (PDF). The Football League. 16 May 2015. p. 70\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Games played by Harry Williams (soccerway)". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
3. ^ "Harry Williams: Player profile". Cheltenham Town F.C. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
4. ^ a b Toms, Murry (22 October 2013). "Full-time: Robins 3, Morecambe 0". Cheltenham Town F.C. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
5. ^ "List of Players Registered as Scholars in Accordance with Rule C.3 Between 01/07/2012 and 31/07/2012". The Football Association. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
6. ^ a b c "Cheltenham Town prospect Harry Williams nominated for Young Sports Personality of the Year". Gloustershire Echo. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
7. ^ "2013-14 End of Season Awards". Cheltenahm Town F.C. 4 May 2014. Archived from the original on 7 May 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
8. ^ "Harry Honoured". Cheltenham Town F.C. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
9. ^ "Scholars Signed On". Cheltenham Town F.C.1. 8 July 2013. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
10. ^ "Harry Williams and Bobbie Dale Turn Professional". Cheltenham Town F.C. 28 May 2014. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
11. ^ "VIDEO: Harry Williams signs one year contract extension with Cheltenham Town". Cheltenham Town F.C. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
12. ^ "Contracts will not be extended". Cheltenham Town F.C. 9 December 2015. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
13. ^ "Day looks to deliver a triple festive boost". Get Hampshire. 23 December 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
14. ^ "Evesham Loan Harry Williams". Cheltenham Town F.C. 5 September 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
15. ^ "Loan Watch, 8.9.14". Cheltenham Town F.C. 8 September 2014. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
16. ^ "Loan Watch, 11.9.14". Cheltenham Town F.C. 11 September 2014. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
17. ^ "Cheltenham Town to sign Wolves' Eusebio". Cheltenham Town F.C. 9 October 2014. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
18. ^ "Williams Signs On-Loan for Third Month". Evesham United F.C. 3 November 2014. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
19. ^ "Williams Recalled by Cheltenham Town". Evesham United F.C. 17 November 2014. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
20. ^ "Harry Williams and James Bowen join Gloucester City on loan". Cheltenham Town F.C. 12 March 2015. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
21. ^ "Gloucester City beaten by Boston United". Gloucestershire Live. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
22. ^ "Gloucester City see off relegation rivals Leamington". Gloucestershire Live. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
23. ^ "Williams and Bowen extend loan stays with Gloucester City". Cheltenham Town F.C. 10 April 2015. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
24. ^ "Harry Williams and James Bowen recalled after loan spells at Gloucester City". Gloucestershire Live. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
25. ^ "Youngsters sent out to gain experience". Cheltenham Town F.C. 7 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
26. ^ "Williams gives Farnborough a timely boost ahead of vital game". Get Hampshire. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
27. ^ "Bobbie Dale and Harry Williams recalled". Farnborough F.C. 26 October 2015. Archived from the original on 30 October 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
28. ^ "Harry Williams joins Gloucester City on loan from World of Smile Stadium landlords Cheltenham Town". Gloucestershire Live. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
29. ^ "Gloucester City beaten at home by Lowestoft Town". Gloucestershire Liv. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
30. ^ "Sacramento Signs Young English Forward". USL Soccer. 24 February 2016. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
31. ^ a b "Republic FC's Harry Williams upbeat despite foul debut". The Sacramento Bee. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
32. ^ "Republic FC beats Real Monarchs SLC 2-1 in Reno". The Sacramento Bee. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
33. ^ "Republic FC score two goals, earn fourth shutout of the season, break scoreless drought and losing streak with road win over LA Galaxy II". Sacramento Republic. 7 May 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
34. ^ "Sacramento Republic FC clinch a playoff berth with a 2-1 victory over Orange County Blues FC". Sacramento Republic. 3 September 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
35. ^ "Gloucester City's new signing has "grown up" during spell in USA". Gloucestershire Live. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
36. ^ Yeomans, Keith (3 September 2016). "Harry Williams signs for Marine". Swindon Supermarine. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
37. ^ Whitney, Steve (15 October 2021). "Gloucester City's new signing has "grown up" during spell in USA". Southern Football League. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
38. ^ "City swoop for Williams". www.gloucestercityafc.com. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
39. ^ "Williams Joins the Whites". salisburyfc.co.uk. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
40. ^ "Games played by Harry Williams in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
41. ^ "Games played by Harry Williams in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
42. ^ "Games played by Harry Williams in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
43. ^ "Farnborough – Appearances – Harry Williams – 2015-2016". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
44. ^ "Former Cheltenham Town forward Harry Williams loving American adventure". Gloucestershire Live. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
45. ^ "Collicutt: Williams has big future in football". Cheltenham Town F.C. 7 October 2014. Archived from the original on 11 January 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.

## External links

[edit]

* Harry Williams at Soccerbase
* Harry Williams at Soccerway
* Profile at Aylesbury United

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals