Darren Williams

Darren Williams (born 28 April 1977 in Middlesbrough) is an English football player and manager.

For others of the same name, see Darren Williams (disambiguation).

Darren Williams
Williams playing for Sunderland in Jody Craddock's testimonial match in 2014
Personal information
Full name Darren Williams[1]
Date of birth (1977-04-28) 28 April 1977[1]
Place of birth Middlesbrough, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Whitby Town
Number 18
Youth career
1993–1994 York City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1996 York City 20 (0)
1996–2004 Sunderland 200 (4)
2004 → Cardiff City (loan) 13 (0)
2004–2005 Cardiff City 7 (0)
2005–2007 Hartlepool United 65 (0)
2007–2008 Bradford City 28 (0)
2008–2009 Dundee 18 (0)
2009–2010 Gateshead 16 (0)
2010 Gainsborough Trinity
2010–2011 Gainsborough Trinity
2011–2015 Whitby Town
National team
England U21 2 (0)
England B 1 (0)
Teams managed
2011–2015 Whitby Town
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Williams began his career at York City, but made his name at Sunderland, for whom he signed in 1996. He then moved to Cardiff City in 2004, then on to Hartlepool United in 2005. He was released by Hartlepool in 2007; after that he made a move to Bradford City during the 2007–08 season. He then played with Dundee, Gateshead, Gainsborough Trinity and Whitby Town.

Club career

York City

Born in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, Williams played for Cleveland and North Yorkshire Boys and Marton Boys before joining the York City youth system in July 1993, scoring 16 goals for the Intermediate side in the 1993–94 season.[2] He made his first team debut as a substitute in a 4–0 victory over Blackpool on 26 December 1994, which was his only appearance of the 1994–95 season.[3] Due to an injury to Steve Bushell he started the 1995–96 season as a first team regular, before being dropped and finishing the season with 27 appearances in all competitions, before handing in a transfer request.[2][4] He played when they beat Manchester United 3–0 at Old Trafford in the League Cup in 1995.

Sunderland

Williams joined Sunderland for a fee of £50,000 in October 1996,[2] and made over 250 appearances for the team, 108 of which were in the FA Premier League.

The highlight of his career so far was probably when he scored the winning goal for Sunderland at Middlesbrough, his hometown club, in 1997, effectively relegating the Teessiders. Williams was also a part of the 1998 First Division Play-Off defeat at Wembley Stadium, in which Sunderland were beaten by Charlton Athletic 7–6 on Penalties after a 4–4 draw in regular play.

Cardiff City

Williams joined Cardiff City on a month-long loan in September 2004, with a view to a permanent move if he impressed.[5] He played in all five of Cardiff's games during his initial loan period and his stay was extended for another two months.[6] After he was told by Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy his contract would not be extended,[7] Williams made his move to Ninian Park permanent in December 2004 on a free transfer.[8]

Hartlepool United

Williams was offered a new contract by Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence, but when he was replaced by Dave Jones, the offer was withdrawn.[9] Instead he returned to the north-east to join League One side Hartlepool United.[9] While at Hartlepool, Williams played the majority of the first team's games due to the injury of captain Micky Barron, but when Barron returned he was moved to the bench. The team was relegated in his first season at Hartlepool, but helped them earn instant promotion back to League One in 2006–07 as they missed out on the title on the last day of the season.[10]

Bradford City

He was released by Hartlepool in May 2007 and joined Bradford City in July 2007.[11][12] He was one of six new players who made their debut for City on the opening day of the 2007–08 in a 1–1 draw with Macclesfield Town.[13][14] Williams lost his place at right back to loan signing Ben Starosta, who replaced Williams at half-time in a game against Wrexham in January 2008. Williams missed seven games until he won his place back against Stockport County when Starosta fell ill.[15] On 29 April 2008, Williams was deemed to be surplus to requirements at Valley Parade and was released by manager Stuart McCall along with 13 other Bradford players.[16]

Dundee

Williams joined Scottish Football League First Division side Dundee, where his former Sunderland teammate Alex Rae was manager, on trial in July 2008 and played for them in their opening game of the 2008–09 season as they defeated Ross County 2–1.[17] Following another one-goal victory, Williams signed a one-year contract with Dundee.[18] At the end of the 2008–09 season he was told he was free to look for another club by manager Jocky Scott.

Gateshead

Williams was to join Conference National team Gateshead on 28 August 2009,[19] but the deal was called off as he still had hopes of a return to the professional ranks and would have been unable to do so until January, even if joining Gateshead on a non-contract basis.[20] He subsequently signed for the Conference National outfit on 26 September 2009.[21] Williams made his debut the same day in the 1–0 home defeat against Oxford United.[22] Williams was released by Gateshead on 16 February 2010.[23]

Gainsborough Trinity

Williams joined Conference North team Gainsborough Trinity on a contract until the end of the 2009–10 season on 12 March.[24] Williams was released in the summer of 2010, only to be re-signed in September. He eventually departed the club for a second time in May 2011.

Whitby Town

Williams joined Whitby Town in August 2011. He made his first appearance for the club on 13 August which the club drew 1–1 with Chasetown F.C..[25] On 26 October 2011 he succeeded Tommy Cassidy and became player manager of Whitby Town. Williams secured a creditable 12th spot for Whitby in 2013, followed by 9th a year later- Town's best finish for eight seasons. The Blues ended 2014–15 in 13th, but after a poor record of 3 wins in 21 league games, Williams was sacked on Monday 23 November 2015. In 2019 he was interviewed for the Thornaby FC job, but missed out to former Bolton youth team legend Craig Haley.

International career

Williams represented England at under-21 and B level.

Style of play

He is a utility defender who can also play defensive midfield.

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 660. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
  2. Jarred, Martin; Windross, Dave (1997). Citizens and Minstermen, A Who's Who of York City FC 1922–1997. Citizen Publications. p. 113. ISBN 0-9531005-0-2.
  3. Batters, Dave (2008). York City The Complete Record. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. pp. 384–385. ISBN 978-1-85983-633-0.
  4. Batters. York City The Complete Record. pp. 386–387.
  5. "Cardiff seal Williams deal". BBC Sport. 23 September 2004. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  6. "Williams extends Cardiff stay". BBC Sport. 21 October 2004. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  7. "Williams in talks with Bluebirds". BBC Sport. 7 December 2004. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  8. "Williams makes Bluebirds switch". BBC Sport. 10 December 2004. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  9. "Hartlepool complete Williams deal". BBC Sport. 20 July 2005. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  10. "Hartlepool 1–2 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 5 May 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  11. "Pools boss Wilson swings his axe". BBC Sport. 9 May 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2007.
  12. "Williams signs Bantams contract". BBC Sport. 27 July 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2007.
  13. Parker, Simon (12 August 2007). "Let's hear it for the fans". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 4 February 2008.
  14. "Bradford 1–1 Macclesfield". BBC Sport. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 4 February 2008.
  15. Parker, Simon (10 March 2008). "Williams out to prove his staying power". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
  16. Parker, Simon (29 April 2008). "Johnson one of 13 axed by City". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 29 April 2008.
  17. Fraser, Alasdair (3 August 2008). "Dundee 2–1 Ross County". Scotland on Sunday. Retrieved 3 August 2008.
  18. "Dundee clinch signing of Williams". BBC Sport. 10 August 2008. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
  19. Bowron, Jeff (28 August 2009). "Gateshead sign former Sunderland defender". Gateshead F.C. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  20. "U turn on Williams signing". Gateshead F.C. 28 August 2009. Archived from the original on 11 September 2009. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  21. "Darren Williams signs for Gateshead". Gateshead F.C. 26 September 2009. Archived from the original on 30 September 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2009.
  22. Bowron, Jeff (28 September 2009). "Former Premier League star Williams makes Gateshead debut". Gateshead F.C. Archived from the original on 30 September 2009. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
  23. Bowron, Jeff (16 February 2010). "Parkinson IN / Williams OUT". Gateshead F.C. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  24. "Breaking news: Little brings in defensive duo". Lincolnshire Echo. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  25. "Faichney earns point for new-look Whitby Town". Whitby Gazette. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
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