Reginald George "Skilly" Williams (4 January 1890 – 19 June 1959) was an English association footballer. Born in Watford, he played primarily as a

striker Striker or The Strikers may refer to: People *A participant in a strike action *A participant in a hunger strike *Blacksmith's striker, a type of blacksmith's assistant *Striker's Independent Society, the oldest mystic krewe in America People wi ...

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 Hertfordshire ( or ; often abbreviated Herts) is one of the home counties in southern England. It borders Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire to the north, Essex to the east, Greater London to the south, and Buckinghamshire to the west. For govern ...

, 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 The Southern League is a men's football competition featuring semi-professional clubs from the South and Midlands of England. Together with the Isthmian League and the Northern Premier League it forms levels seven and eight of the English fo ...

title. League football was then interrupted for four seasons due to the First World War. He served as a

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...

in the Norfolk Regiment and the Labour Corps during the conflict. 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 English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, the league is the oldest such competition in the world. It was the top-level football league in Engla ...

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. He stayed at Watford until 1926, before moving to Brighton & Hove Albion on a free transfer.

Personal life

Williams' son, Reg Jr. also went on to be a footballer, playing for Watford and Chelsea. His great-grandchildren,

Danny Grieves Daniel Leonard Grieves (born 21 September 1978) is an English former professional footballer. Club career Grieves started his career as a trainee with Watford from 1996 to 1999. He made one appearance for Watford, in a 1–0 Football League Tro ...

, Darren Grieves and Grant Cornock played football, with all three playing for Watford at youth level. Darren Grieves' son, Jack is also a footballer, and currently plays for Watford.

References

1890 births 1959 deaths Footballers from Watford Watford F.C. players Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players English Football League players Southern Football League players Men's association football goalkeepers English men's footballers British Army personnel of World War I Royal Norfolk Regiment soldiers Royal Pioneer Corps soldiers Military personnel from Hertfordshire {{England-footy-forward-1890s-stub