Sian Williams (footballer)

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

Sian Williams
Sian Williams in 2015
Personal information
Full name Sian Williams
Date of birth (1968-02-02) 2 February 1968 (age 56)
Place of birth Camborne, Cornwall, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1981–1988 Millwall Lionesses
1988–1990 Juve Siderno
1990–2004 Arsenal Ladies 123
2004–2006 Charlton Athletic Ladies
2006–2007 Watford Ladies
International career‡
1985 Wales 1
1988–2005 England 20
Managerial career
2000–2003 Wales
2006–2009 Watford Ladies
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:38, 1 May 2010 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:12, 1 May 2010 (UTC)

Sian Williams (born 2 February 1968) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. She spent 14 years with Arsenal, winning numerous trophies and captaining the club for six years. At international level, she represented both England and Wales. Towards the end of her career, she began coaching, and was appointed manager of Wales, while still a member of the Arsenal squad. She was initially player-manager of Watford Ladies, before retiring to take the job full-time.

Club career

Williams played at club level for Millwall Lionesses and spent two years in Italy with Juve Siderno.[1] She signed for Arsenal Ladies in 1990, from where she joined Charlton Athletic Ladies in September 2004.[2]

In her 14 years at Arsenal, Williams amassed numerous trophies.[1] She was involved in every League and Cup triumph during her time with the club, including six league titles, seven League Cups, and six FA Cups.[3] She served as captain for six years. After winning a first treble in 1993, Williams captained the Gunners to their domestic treble in 2001.[4] She also appeared in the first edition of the UEFA Women's Champions League in the 2001–02 season, reaching the quarterfinals with Arsenal.[5]

Williams won the FA Cup with Charlton Ladies in 2005.[6]

Williams is featured in the "Remember Who You Are" artwork added to the Emirates Stadium in 2023.[7]

International career

In 1985, she earned a senior cap for Wales, before switching to represent England.[8] Williams played for both England and Wales at international level.[9] She was a non-playing member of England's 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup squad. Williams made twenty appearances for England between 1993 and 2000.

She was allotted 97 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international.[10][11]

Coaching career

Williams joined the coaching staff at Arsenal's Centre of Excellence, later taking on a similar role at Watford, before becoming the manager of the Welsh national team in 2000.

In May 2003, Williams was highly critical of the Football Association of Wales (FAW) for pulling the women's team out of the 2005 UEFA Women's Championship qualification tournament.

Williams became manager of Watford Ladies in the 2006 close season and led the side to promotion to the FA Women's Premier League at the end of the campaign.[12] She stood down from the post in November 2009.[13]

Personal life

Williams' father was Alan Williams, the British Labour Party politician.[14] She worked as a maths teacher during her career as a football player and coach.[13]

Honours

Arsenal[15]

Charlton Athletic

References

  1. ^ a b "Sian Williams". Charlton Athletic F.C. Retrieved 13 October 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ Prior, Sue (15 September 2004). "Charlton 4 Fulham Ladies 1". Charlton Athletic F.C. Archived from the original on 7 October 2006. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
  3. ^ Leighton, Tony (3 May 2001). "Fulham bidding to take Arsenal's crown". BBC. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  4. ^ Leighton, Tony (4 February 2001). "Gunners aim to shoot down Belles". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
  5. ^ "Toulouse leave it late to advance". UEFA. 30 March 2002. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Charlton Women 1-0 Everton Ladies". BBC Sport. 2 May 2005. Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Take a closer look at our eight stadium artworks". Arsenal F.C. 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  8. ^ Williams, Jean (31 January 2022). The History of Women's Football. Pen & Sword Books. p. 222. ISBN 9781526785343.
  9. ^ Wright, Matt (17 September 2004). "Striker set for England debut". Charlton Athletic F.C. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
  10. ^ "England squad named for World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  11. ^ Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Staff". Watford F.C. 14 November 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
  13. ^ a b "PRESS RELEASE: DEPARTURE OF SIAN WILLIAMS". Watford F.C. 13 November 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
  14. ^ Owen, Rob (20 November 2005). "Five of the Best – sporting family connections". Wales on Sunday. p. 24.
  15. ^ "Women's Honours". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.