Full name Thomas Andrew Williams 1998–2000 Walton & Hersham Spouse Nicola McLean (m. 2009) Years Team Height 1.80 m | Role Footballer Name Tom Williams Position Defender, Midfielder | |
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Date of birth (1980-07-08) 8 July 1980 (age 35) Profiles | ||
Playing position Place of birth Carshalton, England | ||
Thomas Andrew "Tom" Williams (born 8 July 1980) is a former Cyprus international footballer who plays primarily as a defender, but he can also play in midfield. He has made nearly 300 appearances in the Football League playing for numerous different clubs. He now plays for Arizona United SC in the United Soccer League.
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Club career
Williams was born in Carshalton, London. His professional career began with West Ham United in April 2000 when he joined the club from Walton & Hersham for a fee of £40,000. He went on loan to Peterborough United in March 2001, without having made his senior debut, and the move was made permanent during the summer. He stayed with the Posh for one season, before moving to Birmingham City for a fee of £350,000.
His career stalled at St Andrew's, playing just four games for Birmingham, and, after two loan periods at Queens Park Rangers, scoring once against Huddersfield Town, he rejoined Peterborough United, initially on loan, later joining permanently. In May 2004 Williams went to Barnsley on a free transfer.
He played a full season for the South Yorkshire side, before moving again on a free transfer to Gillingham in July 2005, and then signing for Swansea City in January 2006 after the Gills suffered financial problems. He returned to the side in December 2006 after a hernia operation in November. He was released by the club on 7 May 2007.
On 27 July 2007, he joined Wycombe Wanderers on a two-year deal.
On 31 December 2007 Williams joined Peterborough United for the third time, initially on an emergency loan to make him available for the match on New Year's Day, for which he was an unused substitute. The loan was converted to a two-year permanent deal two days later.
On 9 November 2009, Williams rejoined Championship side Queens Park Rangers on a short term loan deal, with a possible view to sign permanently in the January transfer window. This did not happen in the end and he returned to Peterborough during January 2010.
Williams joined former boss Darren Ferguson at Preston North End on loan for the rest of the season. Preston decided not to sign him on a permanent basis and he returned to Peterborough where he was released following his contract expiry.
After a pre-season trial, Williams joined Championship club Bristol City on a six-month contract on 5 August 2010.
Williams joined Colchester United on a months loan on 30 September. He scored once for the club in a 2-1 win over Bournemouth. This was later extended twice until 31 December. Williams had his contract terminated at Bristol City on 5 January 2011.
On 14 February 2011, he joined League One side Walsall on a deal until the end of the season. He scored once for Walsall in a 1-1 draw with Oldham Athletic. In August 2011, Williams played one match in the Conference for Kettering Town, a 3–0 defeat away at Mansfield Town. He signed for Notts County in August 2012 on a short-term deal, and was released in January 2013 when his contract expired.
Williams played for Southern League Division 1 South and West side Guildford City in early 2014.
In February 2014, Williams was one of a number of foreign signings made by Vanuatu club Amicale to strengthen their team ahead of the 2013–14 OFC Champions League campaign.
International career
Williams qualifies for Cyprus through his mother, and has one international cap to date, which came in 2006.
Personal life
Williams is married to former glamour model Nicola McLean. The couple have two sons.