Owen Williams (footballer, born 1896)

Owen Williams (23 September 1896 – 9 December 1960)[1] was an English football player most notable for his career with Clapton Orient and Middlesbrough. He also played twice for the England national football team.

Owen Williams
Personal information
Full name Owen Williams
Date of birth (1896-09-23)23 September 1896
Place of birth Ryhope, England
Date of death 9 December 1960(1960-12-09) (aged 64)
Position(s) Outside Left
Youth career
Ryhope Colliery
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1913–1914 Sunderland 0 (0)
1914 Manchester United 0 (0)
1914–1919 Easington Colliery Welfare
1919–1924 Clapton Orient 162 (33)
1924–1930 Middlesbrough 184 (40)
1930–1931 Southend United 16 (4)
1931–???? Shildon
National team
1922–1923 England 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Williams was once on the books of Sunderland, but he was allowed to leave the area and so he moved to Manchester United. He failed to settle at that club and so he returned to North East England, where he played non-league football for Easington Colliery Welfare.

At the end of World War I, an interest was shown in him by Clapton Orient, beginning a successful league career. Williams spent five years at Orient, making over 160 appearances. At Orient, he also earned two England international caps, in games against Northern Ireland and Wales. This made him the side's first international footballer and, along with John Townrow, shares the Orient record for most England national team appearances, both with just two.[2]

In February 1924 he signed for Middlesbrough, making his debut three days later against West Bromwich Albion. At the end of that season, Middlesbrough were relegated, but Williams stayed. In Williams' first full season at Boro' he joint top scored with Ian Dickson with seven goals each.

Owen Williams became a member of the famous forward line that won the Second Division championship in 1926–27: Billy Birrell, Billy Pease, George Camsell, Jacky Carr and Williams.

At the end of the 1929–30 season, following another relegation and promotion, he was transfer listed and moved to Southend United for £250 in August.[3]

After just over a year, and only four goals in sixteen appearances, he moved on again, this time to Shildon.[4]

References
  1. "England players - Owen Willams". englandfootballonline. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  2. "Orient Internationals". leytonorient.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2007.
  3. Glasper, Harry. Middlesbrough: A Complete Record: 1876-1989. Breedon Books Sport. p. 142. ISBN 0-907969-53-4.
  4. "Owen Williams". Southend United database. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2007.
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