George Williams (footballer, born 1995)

George Christopher Williams (born 7 September 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for League Two club Grimsby Town. He has previously been capped for the Wales national team at several age groups including seven caps for the senior team.

For other people named George Williams, see George Williams (disambiguation).

George Williams
Williams playing for Wales against the Netherlands in 2015
Personal information
Full name George Christopher Williams[1]
Date of birth (1995-09-07) 7 September 1995[2]
Place of birth Milton Keynes, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3]
Position(s) Winger
Club information
Current team
 Grimsby Town
Number 10
Youth career
0000–2012 Milton Keynes Dons
2012–2014 Fulham
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2012 Milton Keynes Dons 0 (0)
2012–2018 Fulham 15 (0)
2015 → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 4 (0)
2016 → Gillingham (loan) 10 (0)
2016–2017 → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 11 (0)
2018 → St Johnstone (loan) 11 (0)
2018–2020 Forest Green Rovers 42 (8)
2020– Grimsby Town 16 (1)
National team‡
2012 Wales U17 2 (0)
2013 Wales U19 7 (1)
2014–2016 Wales U21 3 (0)
2014–2018 Wales 7 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 24 January 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:39, 8 July 2018 (UTC)

Between 12 November 2011 and 1 September 2020, Williams was the record holder for being the youngest ever player to score in the FA Cup at the age of 16 years and 66 days following his goal for Milton Keynes Dons in a 6–0 win over Nantwich Town.[4]

Club career

Milton Keynes Dons

Born in Milton Keynes, Williams joined the academy of Milton Keynes Dons at a young age and progressed through several age groups alongside future England international Dele Alli.[5] On 12 November 2011, at the age of 16 years and 66 days, he made his first team debut and scored in a 6–0 home FA Cup first round win over Nantwich Town. In doing so, Williams became the youngest ever player to score in the history of the competition, as well as becoming the club's youngest ever goalscorer.[4]

Fulham

On 14 June 2012, Williams joined Premier League side Fulham as a first year academy scholar for the 2012–13 season after an undisclosed compensation package was agreed between the two clubs.[6] Following his move to Fulham, MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman said he was disappointed seeing Williams leave the club, and told the club's official website: "We are very disappointed that George has chosen not to take up his scholarship or the offer of a professional contract with MK Dons and has instead decided his future is best served with Fulham".[7]

Loan spells

On 16 February 2015, Williams rejoined League One side Milton Keynes Dons on a youth loan for the remainder of the 2014–15 season,[8] but his loan was cut short by an anterior cruciate ligament injury, keeping him out for between four and six months.[9]

On 12 February 2016, Williams joined League One side Gillingham on loan until the end of the 2015–16 season.[10]

On 29 July 2016, Williams returned to Milton Keynes Dons on loan until the end of the 2016–17 season.[11]

On 31 January 2018, Williams joined Scottish Premiership side St. Johnstone on loan until the end of the 2017–18 season.[12]

Forest Green Rovers

On 12 June 2018, Williams signed for League Two club Forest Green Rovers.[13] On 4 September 2018, He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-0 EFL Trophy win over Cheltenham Town.[14]

Grimsby Town

On 13 August 2020, Williams signed a two-year contract with League Two team Grimsby Town.[15]

International career

Williams qualifies for Wales through his mother and represented Wales at under-17 and under-19 levels.[16] On 5 March 2014, Williams made his Wales under-21 debut as an 83rd-minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat to England.[17] On 27 May 2014, he was called up to the senior Wales squad for a friendly match against Holland to be played on 4 June 2014 as a replacement for the injured Gareth Bale. He made his international debut as a replacement for Jonathan Williams in the 70th minute of the match.

Williams was included by manager Chris Coleman as a member of Wales' Euro 2016 squad that reached the semi-finals of the tournament, although he did not make an appearance.[18]

Career statistics
As of 9 January 2021.[19]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Milton Keynes Dons 2011–12 League One 2011000031
Fulham 2012–13 Premier League 000000—00
2013–14 Premier League 000000—00
2014–15 Championship 1400020—160
2015–16 Championship 100000—10
2016–17 Championship 000000—00
2017–18 Championship 000000—00
Total 150002000170
Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 2014–15 League One 4000000040
Gillingham (loan) 2015–16 League One 100000000100
Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 2016–17 League One 110002020150
St Johnstone (loan) 2017–18 Scottish Premiership 110000000110
Forest Green Rovers 2018–19 League Two 387201051468
2019–20 League Two 4100000041
Total 428201050509
Grimsby Town 2020–21 League Two 141101020181
Career total 109941607012611

References
  1. "Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists" (PDF). Premier League. 4 February 2014. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  2. "George Williams". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  3. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 499. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  4. "Whitton 16-year-old becomes the youngest ever player to score in the FA Cup". East Anglian Daily Times. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  5. "In focus: George Williams". Milton Keynes Dons. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  6. "FFC Sign Williams". Fulham FC. 14 June 2012.
  7. "Dons irked as Cottagers pounce". Sky Sports. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  8. "George Williams: MK Dons re-sign Fulham & Wales midfielder". BBC Sport. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  9. "Williams Injury Update". Fulham F.C. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  10. "George Williams: Gillingham sign Fulham midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  11. "Wales' Williams rejoins Dons". Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  12. "Duo Leave On Loan | Fulham Football Club". Fulham F.C. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  13. "George Williams: Forest Green sign ex-Fulham midfielder". BBC Sport. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  14. "Forest Green Rovers 4-0 Cheltenham Town - Report". stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  15. "Williams is a Mariner". Grimsby Town F.C. 13 August 2020.
  16. "Wales". George Williams. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  17. "England U21 1–0 Wales U21". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  18. "Euro 2016: Wales include Joe Ledley in 23-man squad for Euro 2016". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  19. "Games played by George Williams". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
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