Andy Williams (footballer, Born 1986)

Andrew David Williams (born 14 August 1986) is an English semi-professional and former professional footballer who plays as a forward for 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.

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.

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.

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. On 7 August 2010, Williams made his debut for Yeovil against Leyton Orient, 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. 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. 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.

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.

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. Williams made his second debut for Yeovil as a second-half substitute against Derby County, on 24 August 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. 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.

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. 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. Following Cheltenham's title-winning campaign, Williams triggered a clause to sign a new one-year deal with the club. On 6 May 2022, Williams was released by the club after not being offered a further contract.

Walsall

On 15 June 2022, Williams agreed to join Walsall on a one-year contract, active from 1 July when his Cheltenham contract expired. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Career statistics

Honours

Hereford United
*Conference National play-offs: 2006

Doncaster Rovers
*EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2016–17

Northampton Town
*EFL League Two play-offs: 2020

Cheltenham Town
*EFL League Two: 2020–21

References

External links

Profile
at Hereford
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Andy
1986 births
Living people
Footballers from Hereford
English men's footballers
Men's association football wingers
Men's association football forwards
Hereford United F.C. players
Bristol Rovers F.C. players
Yeovil Town F.C. players
Swindon Town F.C. players
Doncaster Rovers F.C. players
Northampton Town F.C. players
Cheltenham Town F.C. players
Walsall F.C. players
National League (English football) players
English Football League players
Hereford F.C. players
21st-century English sportsmen