Tom Williams

**Tom Williams** is a footballer who played for **Hashtag United** (men).

Off a spell with Chelsea, Williams made a switch to the Isthmian League - Premier Division with Walton & Hersham.

West Ham United
In April 2000, Williams was transferred to Premier League side West Ham United for £40,000. He wouldn't feature at competitive senior level for *The Hammers*, being sent out on loan to Peterborough United - who would later pen permanent terms with him. Later, in 2002, the club received a "substantial amount" of compensation following his move from Peterborough United to Birmingham City.

Peterborough United (loan)
On deadline day in January 2001, Williams headed out on loan to Peterborough United of the Football League - Second Division. He debuted off the bench on 28 April in a 2–1 defeat at Swindon Town, having replaced Martin Williams as a substitute after 54 minutes. He would make 1 further appearance, as a starter for a home victory over Rotherham United on 5 May, before clinching a permanent move during the subsequent off-season.

Peterborough United (return)
Williams signed full-time terms with Football League - Second Division team Peterborough United ahead of the 2001–02 season. His 1st official appearance as a permanent player with *The Posh* arrived on 11 August in a goalless draw away to Swindon Town; the same opposition that saw him make his loan bow back in the preceding April. On 20 October, the defender scored his opening goal for the club in their 3–2 success at London Road against Blackpool. A 2nd goal arrived in a 8 January 2002 3-goal home win versus Port Vale. Williams would depart on loan in March 2002, having amassed 42 appearances across league and cup. Birmingham City would later sign him permanently.

Birmingham City (loan)
Football League - First Division outfit Birmingham City loaned Williams on 12 March 2002. The reasoning behind the temporary deal was to allow the defender to sign in time to make the matchday squad for that day's encounter with Bradford City; which he would eventually not be directly involved in, as he remained an unused substitute.

Birmingham City (return)
Following the Bradford City fixture in the Football League - First Division, Birmingham City sealed a permanent move for Williams in March 2002. He would subsequently take part in matches with Norwich City, Coventry City, Grimsby Town and Crystal Palace as they won promotion via the play-offs; albeit without Williams featuring in the end of season deciders. No further official appearances came his way with *The Blues*, though he would remain attached to them via loans out until March 2004.

Queens Park Rangers (loan)
August 2002 saw Williams pen a loan deal with Football League - Second Division side Queens Park Rangers. He made his competitive bow for *The Rs* in a 3–1 triumph at home to Chesterfield on 10 August, which preceded additional matches that month versus Stockport County, Barnsley, ex-club Peterborough United, Wycombe Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle. The defender netted his sole QPR goal on 17 September during a victory at home to Huddersfield Town. Overall, Williams participated 33 times in all competitions for them in 2002–03 - notably appearing thrice in the play-offs, as Cardiff City got the better of his team in the final.

Queens Park Rangers (loan) (return)
Williams returned to Queens Park Rangers on fresh terms in August 2003. However, his 2nd stint with *The Rs* would last just 1 month and see him appear 5 times, opening that streak against Blackpool on 9 August before concluding it on 6 September away to Colchester United.

Peterborough United (loan) (return)
In December 2003, Williams headed back to the Football League - Second Division with former employers Peterborough United on loan. His 3rd debut for *The Posh* saw him start an FA Cup 3rd round defeat away at Coventry City. 14 league appearances would followed up until mid-March 2004, when he was - like in early 2001 - signed permanently by Peterborough.

Peterborough United (return)
Williams resigned with Peterborough United for a 4th time in March 2004. That stint with *The Posh* would only last until the season's end, as he added 7 matches and 1 more goal; converting in a 3–1 win over Port Vale on 12 April.

Barnsley
Fellow League One club Barnsley captured the services of Williams in July 2004. 7 August saw the defender appear for his debut, as he started for *The Tykes* in their road draw at Milton Keynes Dons. He went on to feature on 42 occasions across 1 season with the club, taking part for the final time on 2 April 2005 as they were defeated away to Hull City.

Gillingham
Fresh off relegation from the Championship, Gillingham completed the arrival of Williams with the 2005–06 campaign on the horizon. After replacing Andy Hessenthaler off the bench in a League Cup tie with Portsmouth for his 20 September 2005 debut, the defender made his League One bow as a starter 4 days later in *The Gills'* 2–2 draw at Tranmere Rovers. He would depart in the subsequent transfer window in January 2006.

Swansea City
A transfer to Wales with League One club Swansea City arrived in January 2006. He was sent off during his 3rd appearance for *The Swans*, as he received 2 yellow cards from referee Clive Penton in a 28 January loss away to Bristol City. Aside from that match, Williams featured in 16 other games to conclude 2005–06 as Swansea reached the play-offs - though they would miss out on promotion in the final to old team Barnsley, as the defender stayed on the bench. He stuck with them across the entirety of the succeeding 2006–07 season, as he amassed 34 more appearances.

Wycombe Wanderers
League Two outfit Wycombe Wanderers signed Williams in July 2007. During the opening portion of 2007–08 the defender featured in 13 encounters for *The Chairboys*, having debuted in a 11 August home defeat against Accrington Stanley. At the beginning of 2008, Williams went out on loan to Peterborough United - a team that would later fully sign him later that year.

Peterborough United (loan) (return)
Williams spent the rest of the 2007–08 campaign on loan with Peterborough United, as he came back to London Road for a 5th stint. He made 7 appearances for the League Two club as they placed 3rd to win promotion to League One, after the defender won all bar 2 of the games that he participated in - losing his 1st and 7th matches back to Macclesfield Town and Darlington.

Peterborough United (return)
A 6th and final spell with Peterborough United got underway in mid-2008, as Williams put pen to paper of a full-time contract. His last debut in a Peterborough shirt arrived during a loss on the road at Southend United on 9 August, which kickstarted a run of 30 appearances in league and cup throughout 2008–09 as *The Posh* secured back-to-back promotions. His 2009–10 Championship campaign would be broken up by 2 loans away, though the defender was still selected 18 times in all competitions across the season - notably scoring his 1st goal since 12 April 2004 (for the same club versus Port Vale) on 22 September 2009 as they eliminated fellow tier 2 side Newcastle United from the League Cup 3rd round. Williams would officially exit at the conclusion of the campaign.

Queens Park Rangers (loan) (return)
Queens Park Rangers resigned Williams in November 2009 by penning loan terms. He turned out in Championship fixtures with Doncaster Rovers, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United, Bristol City and Ipswich Town before returning to Peterborough United towards the end of the subsequent December.

Preston North End (loan)
A secondary loan away across the Championship from Peterborough United for Williams to Preston North End was confirmed in February 2010. His 1st appearance came as a starter on 16 February as PNE fell to a 5–3 defeat away to Derby County. 9 more selections came his way as he completed 2009–10 with *The Lilywhites* as they finished 17th, prior to returning to his parent club who had suffered relegation.

Bristol City
In August 2010, Bristol City and Williams teamed up with the 2010–11 Championship season in mind. However, the defender would play just once for *The Robins* - a 17 or so minute cameo off the bench (in place of Jamie McAllister) in a 28 August loss at Ipswich Town. Soon after, Williams would spend the rest of the year on loan to Colchester United, which preceded a permanent stint with Walsall from early 2011.

Colchester United (loan)
October 2010 saw Williams head on loan to Colchester United of League One. He debuted on 2 October at Stadium MK versus Milton Keynes Dons, prior to scoring on 30 October at the Fitness First Stadium against AFC Bournemouth. In total, he appeared 9 times for *The U's*.

Walsall
Upon leaving Bristol City, Williams switched to League One side Walsall in early 2011. He made his bow in a goalless draw at home to Rochdale on 26 February, which preceded the defender participating in March matches with Southampton, Swindon Town, Leyton Orient, Yeovil Town, Hartlepool United and Milton Keynes Dons. 7 more games came his throughout the succeeding April and May, with *The Saddlers* securely spot 20 in the table; avoiding relegation by 1 point. In their antepenultimate fixture of the season, Williams scored in a 1–1 draw with Oldham Athletic on 25 April.

Kettering Town
In August 2011, Williams joined Conference Premier club Kettering Town. A 55-minute appearance for *The Poppies* on 27 August away to Mansfield Town, that saw him replaced by Marcus Kelly, was his sole appearance for the club.

Notts County
A move to Notts County was completed ahead of 2012–13 season. He would make just 3 appearances for *The Magpies*, initially making his debut by featuring for 120 minutes of an extra time League Cup 1st round defeat at home to Bradford City on 11 August 2012. A week later, he made his League One bow away to Crewe Alexandra - though was subbed of after 13 minutes and replaced by Joss Labadie. 1 further appearance came on 3 November, as Yoann Arquin came off for him in stoppage time of an away success at Portsmouth in the FA Cup 1st round. Williams was released on 2 January 2013.

Guildford City
On 9 January 2014, Williams was announced as a new signing by Southern League - Division One South & West side Guildford City.

Amicale
In February 2014, Williams was noted as a new signing by National Super League team Amicale in Vanuatu ahead of their campaign in the OFC Champions League. However, he would not appear for them in the competition.

Slough Town
Williams joined Slough Town of the Southern League - Premier Division in March 2016. He started for his debut on 19 March as *The Rebels* drew 0–0 at home to Weymouth. Subsequent showings came versus Bideford, former club Kettering Town, Hungerford Town and Chippenham Town as they came 17th.

Arizona United
In mid-2016, Williams headed off to the United States with Arizona United. 2 of his opening 3 appearances for the club later known as Phoenix Rising came in matches with Colorado Springs Switchbacks, the 1st for his debut on 21 May and the 2nd in a US Open Cup 3rd round defeat on 1 June. Overall, the defender made 7 appearances during his time with the United Soccer League outfit.

Slough Town (return)
On 14 November 2016, Williams rejoined Slough Town in a player/coach role - as he was coming off a knee operation. He would feature just once on the pitch back with *The Rebels*, though it wouldn't arrive until a 14 November 2017 - despite being noted as a signing by Houghton & Wyton 3 days prior - Southern League Cup 2nd round loss to Hayes & Yeading United.

Houghton & Wyton
On 11 September 2017, Williams was revealed as a new arrival by Cambridgeshire County League - Mead Plant & Grab 1B Division club Houghton & Wyton. He featured in encounters with Hemingfords United Reserves (on 16 September) and Chatteris Town Reserves (on 30 September) before exiting.

Berkhamsted
On 21 November 2017, Williams was publically unveiled as signing by Berkhamsted. He made Spartan South Midlands League - Premier Division appearances for them against Biggleswade United, Edgware Town, Harpenden Town, Royston Town and St. Margaretsbury between the day of him joining and early January 2018.

Cyprus
In 2006, due to being eligible thanks to his mother, Williams was called up internationally by Cyprus. He won 1 cap, having played 46 minutes - before being subbed off for Nektarios Alexandrou - of a friendly match at Stadionul Farul in Constanța versus Romania on 16 August.

### HTU

2018–19
Following HTU's move into non-league under new manager Jay Devereux, Williams signed with *The Tags* as they embarked on their inaugural Thurlow Nunn League - Division One South campaign. He 1st appeared unofficially in a 14 July 2018 pre-season friendly with Romford, prior to appearing in another exhibition encounter versus Loughborough University on 28 July. His competitive debut for the club arrived on 18 August as they drew 1–1 in the league with Wivenhoe Town. Williams found his opening assist on 15 September against Harwich & Parkeston, as he set up Neil Richmond in a 3–2 victory at Coles Park. 3 days later, he assisted Ryan Adams and Jack Harrison during a come-from-behind 4–3 success at Newbury Forest.

At the start of February 2019, the defender notched assists (both for Harrison) in consecutive appearances against Wivenhoe Town and May & Baker. On 23 February, Williams scored and assisted (for Harrison yet again) in a 5–0 triumph at home to Holland. He picked up another assist on 16 March away to May & Baker for Neil Richmond, prior to netting his 2nd HTU goal in a 30 March 1–0 road win at Halstead Town. *The Tags* soon secured promotion as champions to Essex Senior League, as Williams amassed 32 appearances - the last of which came at Old Trafford as HTU lost on penalties in the Tango Cup final to Tango Squad.

2019–20
On 10 July 2019, following the departures of staff members Rich Beck and James Mountford, it was revealed that Williams had moved into a player/coach role at HTU. On the pitch, he featured in pre-season matches with Burnham, Bowers & Pitsea and Hashtag Originals - notably netting a brace in the latter encounter at the EMR Stadium. On 14 August, in his 1st competitive appearance of the campaign, Williams converted (and set up Neil Richmond) during a 6–0 home triumph over Tower Hamlets. He was limited to just 6 more matches throughout 2019–20; which was curtailed around March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020–21
2020–21 was also cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic around December 2020, though Williams had only participated in August pre-season friendlies against Frenford and Bowers & Pitsea.

2021–22
On 5 July 2021, Williams made his last HTU appearance in a pre-season match-up with Coggeshall United - which they won 3–2 at the Len Salmon Stadium.

## Personal Life

Williams has been married to glamour model and television personality Nicola McLean since 13 June 2009; having originally met on a blind date. They have 2 sons, Rocky (b. 2006) and Striker (b. 2010) - the former plays in Slough Town's academy. Away from football, he has played Footgolf. Williams supported Wimbledon.

## HTU Statistics

Breakdown

'*Other Cups' includes competitions like the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and friendly tournaments. See also: HTUwiki:DataIssues.*

Appearances (45)
* List of appearances of Tom Williams

Goals (5)
Hashtag United  v  Holland

Halstead Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag Originals  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Tower Hamlets

## HTU Honours

* Thurlow Nunn League - Division One South (1): 2018-19

## External Links

* National Football Teams
* Soccerbase
* Soccerway
* World Football

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Tom Moves On" , 12 March 2002.
2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 "Tom Williams Football Player Statistics" .
3. ↑ "Duo Released" , 2 January 2013.
4. ↑ "Guildford City v Clevedon Town – Today (GAME ON) & New Signings" (archived) , 9 January 2014.
5. ↑ "Amicale look to Europe for Champions League glory" (archived) .
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Tom Williams" .
7. ↑ "Tom Williams returns to the Rebels" , 14 November 2016.
8. ↑ "Delighted to tonight announce the signing of ex QPR, Swansea & Posh player @MrTomWilliams to Houghton! Tom is in the match day squad for sat" , 11 September 2017.
9. ↑ "Thomas Andrew Williams player stats" .
10. ↑ "@BerkoFC we would like to welcome Tommy Williams to the club we hope you enjoy your football with us" , 21 November 2017.
11. ↑ "Tom Williams - Player Profile" (archived) .
12. ↑ "Hashtag United Coaching Changes" (archived) , 10 July 2019.
13. ↑ "5 years ago this happened 👸" , 13 June 2014.
14. ↑ "Closer’s CBB columnist Nicola McLean: ‘Perez is a disgrace for saying he’d shoot himself if he was Katie H’s child!" , 26 January 2015.
15. ↑ "7 years ago today my life changed in the most magical way ever #happybdayrocky" , 14 March 2013.
16. ↑ "It's our baby's 3rd bday,three years ago today our family was made richer #happybirthdaystriker" , 25 March 2013.
17. ↑ "Our squad for tonight’s pre-season game. Joining up with the senior squad tonight are trialist goalkeeper Sami Nabbad, and Jacob Wilson, Rocky Williams and Kevin Bilicki from our EDS squad. #OneSlough" , 11 July 2023.
18. ↑ "Tom Williams Profile" .
19. ↑ "Tom Williams" (archived) .