Ryan Williams (soccer, born 1993)

Ryan Dale Williams (born 28 October 1993) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Indian Super League club Bengaluru.^[2]

Ryan Williams

Williams with Oxford United in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Ryan Dale Williams[1]
Date of birth	(1993-10-28) 28 October 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth	Subiaco, Perth, Australia
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s)	Winger
Team information
Current team	Bengaluru
Number	7
Youth career
0000–2010	ECU Joondalup
2010–2011	Portsmouth
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2012	Portsmouth	4	(0)
2012–2015	Fulham	2	(0)
2013	→ Gillingham (loan)	0	(0)
2013–2014	→ Oxford United (loan)	36	(7)
2014–2015	→ Barnsley (loan)	5	(0)
2015–2017	Barnsley	21	(1)
2017–2019	Rotherham United	81	(5)
2019–2021	Portsmouth	67	(8)
2021–2022	Oxford United	33	(2)
2022–2023	Perth Glory	24	(4)
2023–	Bengaluru	22	(6)
International career‡
2012–2013	Australia U20	12	(1)
2015	Australia U23	3	(0)
2019	Australia	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 05:15, 14 December 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:11, 7 June 2019 (UTC)

Early life

Born in Perth, Australia, Williams' mother originates from Mumbai, India and his father was born in Kent, England.^[3] Williams was brought up in a footballing family, with both older brother Rhys and twin brother Aryn having been professional footballers. The brothers all started their careers at ECU Joondalup before moving to England.

Club career

Portsmouth

Williams joined Portsmouth in July 2010, signing a scholarship with the clubs' academy side.^[4] There were initial issues concerning international clearance, with the FFA (Football Federation Australia) failing to release vital paperwork to allow Williams to play,^[5] but this was eventually resolved on 12 November.^[6] He played his first match for Portsmouth on 6 August 2010, in a friendly against Farnborough.^[7] His first competitive academy match for Portsmouth was a 4–1 loss to Chelsea.^[8]

Williams was promoted to training with Steve Cotterill's first-team upon returning for the 2011–12 season. This cumulated with Williams' making his first appearance with the first-team in a 4–0 win over Havant & Waterlooville, in which he produced a lively display, contributing an assist.^[9] He went on to feature against Chelsea^[10] and travelled to the US with the first-team.^[11] Cotterill indicated that he was ready to promote Williams to the Portsmouth first-team squad,^[12][13] and Williams was selected to be on the bench for the Championship match against Middlesbrough with the 17 jersey.^[14][15]

He made his professional debut in the opening-day match against Middlesbrough, on 6 August 2011, after he came off the bench to replace Hermann Hreiðarsson in the 63rd minute, playing against his older brother Rhys, who scored in the match.^[16]

Fulham

On 31 January 2012, Fulham announced the transfer deadline day signing of Williams from Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee, having impressed during a reserve game against Wolverhampton Wanderers the previous night.^[17]

On 13 May 2014, following the relegation of Fulham and his conclusion to his loan spell, Williams signed a new two-year contract with the club.^[18]

Williams signed for Gillingham in League Two on a one-month loan deal on 14 February 2013^[19] but failed to make an appearance for the Kent club before being recalled by Fulham.^[20]

On 3 August 2013, Williams joined Oxford United on loan until 1 January 2014,^[21] and made his debut against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.^[22] He scored his first senior goal on 28 September 2013 in a League Two win over Hartlepool United.^[23] On 19 December 2013, Fulham agreed to extend his loan deal until the end of the season.^[24] After making 35 appearances and scoring six times, Williams made his final appearance for the club against relegation battlers Northampton Town. Williams scored his seventh goal of the season to give his team the lead. However, towards the end of the first half he was sent off for kicking Ricky Ravenhill. Northampton Town subsequently took the lead and went on to win 3–1, which led to Northampton Town surviving relegation and Oxford United missing out of the play-offs.^[25]

After being included in two matches for Fulham at the start of the 2014–15 season, Williams joined Barnsley on an initial one-month loan on 2 October 2014.^[26] Williams made his Barnsley debut ten days later on 12 October 2014, in a 3–1 win over Bradford City.^[27] Having made seven appearances, Williams' loan spell was extended until 1 January 2015.^[28] However, Williams' first team appearances were soon reduced due to his international commitments^[29] and he suffered a groin injury^[30] before returned to his parent club.

Barnsley

On 26 July 2015, Williams re-joined Barnsley, but this time on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee.^[31] His first and what turned out to be only goal for Barnsley was a late winner in a 4–3 win at Cardiff City.^[32]

Rotherham United

On 20 June 2017, Williams moved across South Yorkshire to join Rotherham United on a two-year deal.^[33] On 30 May 2019 it was announced that he would leave at the end of the season, upon expiry of his contract.^[34]

Return to Portsmouth

On 26 June 2019, Williams re-signed for his first club, Portsmouth.^[35]

Return to Oxford

On 9 June 2021, Williams rejoined former club Oxford United when his contract expired at Portsmouth. He signed a two-year deal.^[36]

Perth Glory

In June 2022, Williams left Oxford United to return to Australia, joining Perth Glory for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract. He was welcomed back to Perth scoring an absolute stunner out of the box goal against Western United.^[37][38]

Bengaluru

On 28 July 2023, Williams signed a one-year deal with an optional one-year extension with Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC.^[39]

International career

Williams played for the under-20 and under-23 sides, representing Australia at U20 level at the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship in United Arab Emirates^[40] and at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.^[41] He was called up to the Australia senior squad in May 2019 for the friendly game against South Korea on 7 June.^[42] He made his international debut as a second-half substitute in the game.^[43]

Career statistics

Club

As of 7 February 2024^[44]

Appearances and goals by club, country and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Portsmouth	2011–12[45]	Championship	4	0	1	0	1	0	–		6	0
Fulham	2011–12[45]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0
	2012–13	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0
	2014–15[46]	Championship	2	0	0	0	1	0	–		3	0
	Fulham total		2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	0
Gillingham (loan)	2012–13	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Oxford United (loan)	2013–14[47]	League Two	36	7	4	1	1	0	1[a]	0	42	8
Barnsley (loan)	2014–15[46]	League One	5	0	1	0	0	0	1[a]	0	7	0
Barnsley	2015–16[48]	League One	5	0	0	0	0	0	1[a]	0	6	0
	2016–17[49]	Championship	16	1	1	0	0	0	–		17	1
	Barnsley total		26	1	2	0	0	0	2	0	28	1
Rotherham United	2017–18[50]	League One	42	4	1	0	1	0	3[b]	0	47	4
	2018–19[51]	Championship	39	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	41	1
	Rotherham United total		81	5	2	0	2	0	3	0	88	5
Portsmouth	2019–20	League One	26	3	4	0	1	0	5	0	36	3
	2020–21	League One	41	5	3	0	2	0	3	0	49	5
	Portsmouth total		67	8	8	0	4	0	8	0	87	8
Oxford United	2021–22	League One	33	2	2	0	0	0	1[a]	0	36	2
Perth Glory	2022–23	A-League Men	24	4	0	0	–		–		24	4
Bengaluru	2023–24	Indian Super League	10	3	2	0	–		–		12	3
Career total			283	30	20	1	8	0	15	0	326	31

1. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
2. Appearances in 2017–18 EFL League One play-offs

Honours

Rotherham United

• EFL League One play-offs: 2018^[52]

Portsmouth

• EFL Trophy runner-up: 2019–20^[53]

References

1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Portsmouth" (PDF). English Football League. p. 56. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
2. "ISL: Bengaluru FC sign Ryan Williams from Perth Glory". Khel Now. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
3. "Introducing Rhys Williams". Middlesbrough F.C. Archived from the original on 20 September 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
4. "Pompey Unveil New Scholars". Portsmouth F.C. 15 July 2010. Archived from the original on 22 September 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
5. "Aussie trio on target for Pompey". Portsmouth.co.uk. 28 September 2010. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
6. The FA: Player Registrations The FA.com
7. Pompey ease to friendly victory at Farnbrough Portsmouth.co.uk
8. "Portsmouth Academy 1 – 4 Chelsea Academy". Portsmouth F.C. 24 November 2010. Archived from the original on 2 January 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
9. Hawks 0 Pompey 4 Archived 13 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Portsmouth
10. "Pompey 0 Chelsea 1". Portsmouth. 16 July 2011. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
11. Young Bluews duo are coming to America Portsmouth.co.uk
12. "Winger Williams is no loan ranger". Portsmouth.co.uk'. 19 July 2011. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
13. Blues ready to fast track Aussie Portsmouth.co.uk
14. Middlesbrough vs. Portsmouth BBC Sport
15. Aussie ace set for Boro bow Portsmouth.co.uk
16. "Middlesbrough 2–2 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
17. "Ryan Williams Joins FFC". Fulham FC. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
18. "Williams signs new Fulham deal". Goal.com. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
19. "Williams Signs on Loan". Gillingham FC. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
20. "Fulham recall Williams from Gills". Kent News. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
21. "Williams Signs". Oxford United. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
22. "Portsmouth v Oxford Utd". BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
23. "Hartlepool 1–3 Oxford Utd". BBC Sport. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
24. "Ryan Williams To Stay". Oxford United FC. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
25. "Northampton Town 3–1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
26. "Fulham Winger Ryan Williams Joins Barnsley on Loan". Barnsley F.C. 2 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
27. "Barnsley 3 – 1 Bradford City". Barnsley F.C. 12 October 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
28. "Williams extends Barnsley stay". Sky Sports. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
29. "Match Preview: Barnsley v Colchester United". Barnsley F.C. 13 November 2014. Archived from the original on 24 November 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
30. "Barnsley v Doncaster Rovers: Match Preview". Barnsley F.C. 2 December 2014. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
31. "SIGNING | Williams makes Millers move". Rotherham United F.C. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
32. "Cardiff 3–4 Barnsley". BBC. 17 December 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
33. "Ryan Williams: Fulham winger joins Barnsley on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 26 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
34. "Jon Taylor, Ryan Williams and Richie Towell leaving Rotherham United". Rotherham Advertiser. 30 May 2019.
35. "Ryan Williams: Portsmouth to re-sign Australia winger from Rotherham United". BBC Sport. 26 June 2019.
36. Roberts, James (9 June 2021). "Oxford United sign ex-Portsmouth winger Ryan Williams". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
37. Roberts, James (16 June 2022). "Oxford United's Ryan Williams leaves for Australian A-League side Perth Glory". Oxford Mail.
38. Morgan, Gareth (16 June 2022). "Glory pull off transfer coup to sign attacking midfielder Williams". Perth Glory.
39. Name, Author. "ISL: Bengaluru FC sign Ryan Williams from Perth Glory". Khel Now. Retrieved 30 July 2023. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
40. "Paul Okon names Qantas Young Socceroos squad for AFC U-19 Championship". Football NSW. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
41. "FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013™: Australia". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
42. "READ | Williams receives first call-up to Socceroos squad". Rotherham United Official Site. 23 May 2019.
43. "Korea Republic 1–0 Australia". scoresway. 7 June 2019.
44. Ryan Williams at Soccerway
45. "Games played by Ryan Williams in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
46. "Games played by Ryan Williams in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
47. "Games played by Ryan Williams in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
48. "Games played by Ryan Williams in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
49. "Games played by Ryan Williams in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
50. "Games played by Ryan Williams in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
51. "Games played by Ryan Williams in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
52. Scott, Ged (27 May 2018). "Rotherham United 2–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
53. Williams, Adam (13 March 2021). "Portsmouth 0–0 Salford City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 March 2021.

External links

• Ryan Williams at Soccerbase
• Ryan Williams at Soccerway
• Ryan Williams at National-Football-Teams.com