Preceded by Peter Heard Alma mater University of London | Preceded by Jeremy Peace Education University of London | |
John Williams is an English football chairman. He is currently Chairman of West Bromwich Albion F.C.
Williams previously served as chairman and chief executive of Blackburn Rovers F.C., having been appointed to the board in 1997 and then promoted to chairman/chief executive in 1998 by the club's then owner Jack Walker.
With Williams at the helm Rovers enjoyed notable success, winning promotion back to the Premier League in the 2000/01 season. Followed by 10 consecutive seasons in the Premier League (many of which resulted in top 10 finishes), qualification to the UEFA cup 3 times in 5 years, League cup victory in 2001/02 and 2 FA cup semi finals in 2004/05 and 2006/07.
Williams resigned his position as Chairman in February 2011, after becoming dissatisfied with the club's new owners Venky's London Ltd., especially after they made the decision to sack manager Sam Allardyce in November 2010, Allardyce had only just concluded a successful season at Rovers, with the club having reached the semi finals of the League cup and ended the 2009/10 season in the top 10. Shortly after Williams's departure, Blackburn Rovers were relegated to the Championship, in May 2012, where they remain.
West Bromwich Albion
Following the announcement of the planned takeover of West Bromwich Albion F.C by Chinese investors in July 2016, Williams effectively began his term in office, assuming the respective powers of Chairman and replacing outgoing Owner and Chairman Jeremy Peace. Upon completion of his takeover on the 15th of September 2016, incoming owner Guochuan Lai officially appointed Williams chairman of the club.