Andy Williams (footballer, born 1986)
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Andy Williams
| image =
| caption =
| full_name = Andrew David Williams{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/202021/efl-squad-numbering-11.09.2020.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Cheltenham Town |publisher=English Football League |page=20 |access-date=20 September 2020}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|8|14|df=y}}{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman | title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 | year = 2009 | publisher = Mainstream Publishing | isbn = 978-1-84596-474-0 }}
| birth_place = Hereford, England
| height = {{convert|1.88|m|order=flip}}
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Hereford
| clubnumber = 10
| youthyears1 = 2002–2004
| youthclubs1 = Hereford United
| years1 = 2004–2007
| clubs1 = Hereford United
| caps1 = 72
| goals1 = 18
| years2 = 2007–2010
| clubs2 = Bristol Rovers
| caps2 = 88
| goals2 = 8
| years3 = 2008–2009
| clubs3 = → Hereford United (loan)
| caps3 = 16
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2009
| clubs4 = → Hereford United (loan)
| caps4 = 10
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2010–2012
| clubs5 = Yeovil Town
| caps5 = 72
| goals5 = 22
| years6 = 2012–2015
| clubs6 = Swindon Town
| caps6 = 89
| goals6 = 32
| years7 = 2013–2014
| clubs7 = → Yeovil Town (loan)
| caps7 = 9
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2015–2018
| clubs8 = Doncaster Rovers
| caps8 = 92
| goals8 = 23
| years9 = 2018–2020
| clubs9 = Northampton Town
| caps9 = 71
| goals9 = 20
| years10 = 2020–2022
| clubs10 = Cheltenham Town
| caps10 = 68
| goals10 = 12
| years11 = 2022–2023
| clubs11 = Walsall
| caps11 = 38
| goals11 = 1
| years12 = 2023–
| clubs12 = Hereford
| caps12 = 66
| goals12 = 20
| club-update = 08:14, 27 April 2025 (UTC)
}}
Andrew David Williams (born 14 August 1986) is an English semi-professional and former professional footballer who plays as a forward for {{English football updater|Hereford}} club Hereford.
Career
=Hereford United=
Williams was born in Hereford and attended the nearby football academy at Holme Lacy, playing for the Hereford United youth team. He also gained experience by attending football academies at Cheltenham Town Cheltenham Town Aston Villa and Birmingham City.
Williams made his debut for the Hereford United first team in the 2003–04 season, coming on as a substitute in the Herefordshire Senior Cup final against Forest Green. The following season, he featured regularly on the bench and made three league appearances as a substitute. He also started the two GLS Conference Cup games against Burton and Northwich.
2005–06 was his breakthrough season. His appearances for the first team were initially from the bench but he was given his first start in the league against Woking, scoring the opening goal. He progressed rapidly and went on to become the club's top scorer for the season, scoring 13 goals from 45 appearances in all competitions. Most notably he scored two vital goals in the playoff semi-final against Morecambe, and in the final itself against Halifax. He signed a new contract with the club in March 2006.
His first season in the Football League saw him played out of position on the right wing for the majority of the season resulting in 48 first team appearances, with only Rob Purdie and Alan Connell making more appearances. Williams' eight goals also made him third highest goalscorer, and he was awarded the Away Goal of the Season for his goal against Bury.
Williams was the subject of two transfer bids from Bristol Rovers during the course of the season. At the end of August a £100,000 bid was rejected by Hereford, but at the end of January a £150,000 bid was accepted. However Williams turned down a move to the Gasheads, having already stated he was happy at Hereford and was not interested in moving to a club in the same division. When Bristol Rovers gained promotion to League One, speculation intensified that he would make the move, and on 5 July 2007 the transfer was finally confirmed.
=Bristol Rovers=
Williams made his debut for Bristol Rovers on 11 August 2007, scoring four minutes after appearing as a substitute for Rickie Lambert.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6931099.stm |title=Port Vale 1–1 Bristol Rovers |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=13 August 2007 | date=11 August 2007}}
On 1 September 2008, Williams rejoined former club Hereford United on loan until 5 January 2009. An injury hampered his return to Edgar Street but he scored his first goal in the win over Carlisle United on 21 October. On expiry of his loan he returned to Bristol Rovers, but just 24 hours later he was loaned back to Hereford for the remainder of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10328~1510423,00.html |title=Williams back to the Bulls |publisher=Bristol Rovers F.C. |date=6 January 2009 |access-date=6 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724172423/http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10328~1510423%2C00.html |archive-date=24 July 2011 }}
He was placed on the transfer list at the end of the 2008–09 season, but after some competitive performances from the bench he was removed from the list early on during the start of the 2009–10 season. On 29 September 2009, in an away 3–2 victory against Southampton, he scored a left-footed shot from the edge of the area, this goal was later nominated for Goal of the Year 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10328~1805604,00.html |title=Chairman's Report Week 2 |publisher=Bristol Rovers F.C. |date=24 September 2009 |access-date=24 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028133735/http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10328~1805604%2C00.html |archive-date=28 October 2009 |url-status=dead }}
=Yeovil Town=
In May 2010, Williams rejected a new deal with Bristol Rovers and signed a two-year contract with fellow League One side and local rivals Yeovil Town, he linked up with them on 1 July 2010.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/yeovil/8701927.stm |title=Andy Williams eyes regular games at Yeovil Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 May 2010 }} On 7 August 2010, Williams made his debut for Yeovil against Leyton Orient,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8842136.stm |title=Yeovil Town 2–1 Leyton Orient |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2010 }} and scored his first goal for the club against Rushden & Diamonds in the FA Cup, and scored his first league goal in a 3–1 defeat against Dagenham & Redbridge the following week.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9171934.stm |title=Yeovil 1–3 Dag & Red |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 November 2010 }} Williams first season with Yeovil saw him score eight goals in 39 matches mostly operating from the wing.
He started the new season well with a goal in a 3–1 win at home to Oldham Athletic before being out injured for over a month. However, once he had returned from injury he scored again, this time in a 3–0 win away at Hereford United in the FA Cup.http://www.ytfc.net/page/MatchReport/0,,10673~57857,00.html {{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Williams ended the campaign as Yeovil's top scorer with 17 goals in all competitions but rejected a new contract to remain at the club.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18069971 |title=Yeovil Town to lose four players after failing to agree deals |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 May 2012 }}
=Swindon Town=
Having rejected Yeovil's offer of a new contract, on 18 June 2012, it was confirmed Williams had signed for newly promoted League One side Swindon Town on a two-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18490029 |title=Swindon Town sign Gary Roberts, Andy Williams and James Collins |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 June 2012 }}
== Return to Yeovil on loan ==
On 23 August 2013, Williams rejoined Yeovil Town on a season long loan deal, only 14 months after previously leaving for Swindon Town.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23803693 |title=Andy Williams: Yeovil re-sign Swindon striker on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 August 2013 |access-date=23 August 2013 }} Williams made his second debut for Yeovil as a second-half substitute against Derby County, on 24 August 2013.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23744657 |title=Yeovil 0–3 Derby |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 August 2013 |access-date=12 November 2013 }} Williams made a total of nine appearances without scoring before picking up serious cruciate injury in training ruling him out for the rest of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24817302 |title=Andy Williams: Yeovil loanee returns to Swindon with injury |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 November 2013 |access-date=12 November 2013 }} Despite being ruled out with injury for the rest of the season, due to the loan agreement with Swindon Town, Williams remained officially on loan at Yeovil for the remainder of the season, with Yeovil still having to pay a portion of his wages.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/news/10790190.Yeovil_to_contribute_to_injured_Williams__wages/ |title=Yeovil to contribute to injured Williams' wages |publisher=Swindon Advertiser |date=7 November 2013 |access-date=17 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110093839/http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/news/10790190.Yeovil_to_contribute_to_injured_Williams__wages/ |archive-date=10 November 2013 }}
=Doncaster Rovers=
On 19 June 2015, Williams signed for Doncaster Rovers on a three-year deal, despite interest from several other clubs including Bradford City, Scunthorpe United, Sheffield United and Millwall.{{cite web| url = http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster/breaking-doncaster-rovers-sign-former-swindon-town-striker-andy-williams-1-7318415| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150619174834/http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster/breaking-doncaster-rovers-sign-former-swindon-town-striker-andy-williams-1-7318415| archive-date = 19 June 2015| title = Breaking: Doncaster Rovers sign former Swindon Town striker Andy Williams – The Star}} On 27 August he scored his first professional hat-trick in a 4–1 win over former club Yeovil Town. He was released by Doncaster in May 2018.
=Cheltenham Town=
In July 2020, he signed for Cheltenham Town, on a one-year deal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctfc.com/news/2020/july/robins-seal-the-signing-of-experienced-striker/|title=Robins seal the signing of experienced striker}} Following Cheltenham's title-winning campaign, Williams triggered a clause to sign a new one-year deal with the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-bristol-rovers-swindon-town-5349516|title=Former Bristol Rovers, Swindon Town and Doncaster Rovers striker Andy Williams secures extended contract at Cheltenham Town|publisher=Gloucestershire Live|date=4 May 2021|accessdate=13 October 2021}} On 6 May 2022, Williams was released by the club after not being offered a further contract.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ctfc.com/news/2022/may/202122-retained-and-released-list/ |title=2021/22 retained and released list |publisher=Cheltenham Town FC |date=6 May 2022 |accessdate=9 May 2022}}
=Walsall=
On 15 June 2022, Williams agreed to join Walsall on a one-year contract, active from 1 July when his Cheltenham contract expired.{{cite web|url=https://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/2022/june/saddlers-snap-up-striker-andy-williams/|title=Saddlers snap up striker Andy Williams|website=saddlers.co.uk|date=15 June 2022|accessdate=15 June 2022}} He only managed 3 goals in 46 appearances across all competitions, being released at the end of the season.
=Return to Hereford=
On 6 June 2023, Williams agreed to drop down two leagues and enter part-time football by joining National League North club Hereford from 1 July, when his Walsall contract expired.{{cite web|url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/news-andy-williams-is-back-at-edgar-street/|title=Andy Williams is Back at Edgar Street|website=herefordfc.co.uk/|date=6 June 2023|accessdate=6 June 2023}}{{Cite web |date=13 June 2023 |title=Hereford was only club Williams could turn part-time for |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/23587682.hereford-club-williams-turn-part-time/ |access-date=14 August 2023 |website=Hereford Times |language=en}} Born in Hereford, Williams' career had begun at Hereford's predecessor club Hereford United 18 years previously. Williams suffered a knee injury in pre-season that required surgery and caused him to miss the first five months of the season.{{Cite web |title=Andy Williams Injury Update {{!}} Hereford FC - The Official website of Hereford FC |url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/andy-williams-injury-update/ |access-date=14 August 2023 |website=www.herefordfc.co.uk |language=en}} He made his debut for the club on 23 December 2023, coming on as a 73rd minute substitute for Tom Pugh in a 2–1 home league win against Spennymoor Town.{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=David |date=23 December 2023 |title=Hereford FC v Spennymoor Town LIVE minute by minute updates |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/local/24009868.hereford-fc-v-spennymoor-town-live-minute-minute-updates/ |access-date=25 December 2023 |website=Hereford Times |language=en}} He scored his first goals for the club three days later, including a 99th minute winner, in a 3–2 win away at local rivals Gloucester City.{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=David |date=26 December 2023 |title=Hereford boss praised character of hometown boy Williams |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/24012086.hereford-boss-praised-character-hometown-boy-williams/ |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=Hereford Times |language=en}} After scoring 11 goals in 23 games by the end of the season, on 3 May 2024, Hereford announced that Williams had signed a contract extension until the end of the 2024–25 season.{{Cite web |date=3 May 2024 |title=Andy Williams Signs Extension at Hereford |url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/news-andy-williams-signs-extension-at-hereford/ |access-date=3 May 2024 |website=Hereford FC - The Official website of Hereford FC |language=en}}
During the 2024–25 season, Williams appeared in all but two matches, scoring 10 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions, as Hereford finished 10th and missed out on the play-offs by one point. On 8 June 2025, he extended his stay at the club for a further year.{{Cite news |last=Lawrence |first=David |date=9 June 2025 |title=Andy Williams has still got 'a lot to offer' Hereford FC |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/25226491.andy-williams-still-got-a-lot-offer-hereford-fc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250620130718/https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/25226491.andy-williams-still-got-a-lot-offer-hereford-fc/ |archive-date=20 June 2025 |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Hereford Times}}
Career statistics
{{updated|end of 2024–25 season}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Hereford United
- Conference National play-offs: 2006
Doncaster Rovers
- EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2016–17{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/league-2-table/2016|title = League Two (Sky Sports)}}
Northampton Town
- EFL League Two play-offs: 2020{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53177235 |title=Exeter City 0–4 Northampton Town |first=Brent |last=Pilnick |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 June 2020 |access-date=29 June 2020}}
Cheltenham Town
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/player/andy-williams/ Profile] at Hereford
- {{FBref player|8750ba2d}}
- {{Soccerbase|13433}}
- {{Soccerway|andrew-williams/50848}}
- {{WorldFootball.net|andy-williams_2}}
{{Hereford F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Andy}}
Category:Footballers from Hereford
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Hereford United F.C. players
Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players
Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players
Category:Swindon Town F.C. players
Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players
Category:Northampton Town F.C. players
Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:English Football League players