Reg Williams
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Reg Williams | |
Full Name | Reginald F. Williams |
Date of Birth | 28 January 1922 |
Place of Birth | Watford, England |
Position | Wing half |
Chelsea career | 1945-1951 |
Debut | 5 January 1946 |
Games (goals) | 74 (17) |
Other clubs | Watford |
Reginald "Reg" Williams (28 January 1922 – October 2011) was a wing half who played for Chelsea for 6 years following the Second World War, having joined from Watford as an amateur.
Williams grew up in Watford, close to the Hertfordshire side's Vicarage Road stadium, and played for the Hornets during the War, appearing in 133 matches and scoring nine goals. Despite interest from Arsenal, he chose to move to Chelsea after the War, turning professional in October 1945 after five months as an amateur.
Having played in the famous friendly against Dynamo Moscow in November 1945, Williams made his competitive debut in Chelsea's first competitive match since 1939; an FA Cup tie against Leicester City in January 1946. Williams went on to make 74 appearances for the Blues, scoring 17 goals. Having struggled with injuries throughout his career, Williams retired in November 1951, at the age of 29.
Following retirement from football, Williams worked as a printer, and later ran pubs with his wife, Joan. In February 2011 he was recognised as Chelsea's oldest living former player, and was presented with Watford and Chelsea souvenirs – including pictures signed by Frank Lampard and John Terry – during a visit from Reverend Martin Swan, the Chelsea club chaplain. [1] Reg Williams died in October 2011, at the age of 89. [2]
Statistics
Season | League | FA Cup | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
1945-46 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
1946-47 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 3 |
1947-48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1948-49 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 4 |
1949-50 | 21 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 25 | 5 |
1950-51 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 4 |
1951-52 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Total | 58 | 13 | 16 | 4 | 74 | 17 |