Skilly Williams

{{short description|English footballer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Skilly Williams

| image = SkillyWilliams.jpg

| caption =

| fullname = Reginald George Williams

| birth_date = {{birth date|1890|1|4|df=y}}

| birth_place = Watford, Hertfordshire, England

| death_date = {{death date and age|1959|6|19|1890|1|4|df=y}}

| death_place = Watford, Hertfordshire, England

| height =

| position = Goalkeeper or striker

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 1909–1910

| clubs1 = Leavesden Mental Hospital

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 1910–1926

| clubs2 = Watford

| caps2 = 323

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 1926–1929

| clubs3 = Brighton & Hove Albion

| caps3 =

| goals3 =

}}

Reginald George "Skilly" Williams (4 January 1890 – 19 June 1959) was an English association footballer. Born in Watford, he played primarily as a striker during his amateur career, but later switched to become a goalkeeper. After playing for Leavesden Mental Hospital's football team, as well as for Hertfordshire, Williams joined Watford as an amateur in 1910, turning professional in 1914. During his first season as a professional, Watford won the 1914–1915 Southern Football League title. League football was then interrupted for four seasons due to the First World War. He served as a private in the Norfolk Regiment and the Labour Corps during the conflict.{{Cite news|date=1 November 2014|title=The Great War 100 Years Ago 1914 – 2014|work=Waford Football Club v Milllwall – First World War Commemorative Issue|url=https://i0.wp.com/oldwatford.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Scan-4-6.jpeg}} Following the resumption of competitive football in 1919, Williams again played a part as Watford finished runners up to Portsmouth on goal average. Watford entered the Football League the following season, and Williams stayed with the club for a further six seasons. He holds the record for the most Watford appearances by a goalkeeper; 83 in the Southern League, 240 in the Football League, 17 in the FA Cup and one in the Southern Charity Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/History/0,,10400~1232026,00.html|title=Watford's great goalkeepers|publisher=Watford Football Club|accessdate=24 January 2010|date=9 June 2008}} He stayed at Watford until 1926, before moving to Brighton & Hove Albion on a free transfer.{{cite book|title=The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who|author=Jones, Trefor|year=1996|isbn= 0-9527458-0-1|page=243}}