Robbie Williams (footballer, born 1984)

Robbie Williams
Personal information
Full nameRobert Ian Williams[1]
Date of birth2 October 1984
Place of birthPontefract, England
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Playing positionLeft back
Club information
Current team
Limerick
Number3
Youth career
–2002Barnsley
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2002–2007Barnsley66(4)
2007Blackpool (loan)9(4)
2007–2010Huddersfield Town77(4)
2010–2011Stockport County22(1)
2011Rochdale9(0)
2011–2013Plymouth Argyle42(4)
2013–Limerick23(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:41, 14 October 2013 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Robert Ian "Robbie" Williams (born 2 October 1984) is an English footballer who plays as a left back for Limerick. Born in Pontefract, he has played in the Football League for Barnsley, Blackpool, Huddersfield Town, Stockport County, Rochdale and Plymouth Argyle.

Career

Barnsley

Williams came through the youth ranks with Barnsley, playing over fifty first-team games. He made his debut on 5 October 2002, against Brentford.[2] On 22 March 2007, Williams joined Blackpool on loan until the end of the season.[2][3] He scored on his debut for the Seasiders, in a 3–1 win at Bradford City two days later.[4] Williams scored the first goal in the 2007 Football League One play-off Final against Yeovil Town at Wembley Stadium.[5] The goal was part of a 2–0 win for Blackpool and saw them promoted to the Championship.[5]

Huddersfield Town

He was set to join Huddersfield Town in July 2007 before sustaining a hairline fracture to his shin.[6] The transfer was completed the following month, with Williams signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[7] He made his debut for the club in December at Leeds United, and scored his first goal against Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2008. He made 28 appearances during his first season with Huddersfield,[8] and 39 in the 2008–09 campaign. The following season, he played in both legs of the League One play-off semi-final defeat to Millwall. Williams was released in the summer of 2010 when his contract expired and spent time on trial at Aberdeen.[9]

Stockport County

Williams joined Stockport County in August 2010 on non-contract terms.[10][11] He signed a full-time contract at the end of the month,[11][12] and scored his first goal for the club against Barnet in October.[13] Williams made 25 appearances for Stockport before leaving for Rochdale in January 2011.[14]

Rochdale

Having joined Rochdale on a free transfer,[14] Williams made his debut in March against Notts County. He was released at the end of the season after the club decided against offering him a new contract.[15] He made nine appearances for Rochdale.[15]

Plymouth Argyle

Williams signed a one-year contract with Plymouth Argyle in July 2011.[16][17] He made his debut in a 1–1 draw at Shrewsbury Town in August,[18] and scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win against Macclesfield Town in September.[19] In his first season, Williams made 30 appearance in league and cup competition, scoring two goals.[20] Williams signed a new one-year contract in June 2012,[21][22] and began the new season with three goals in his first five appearances, against Oxford United, Burnley and Port Vale.[20] A stomach injury he sustained in October kept him out of the team for two months.[23] Williams left the club in January 2013 when his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.[23][24] In his two seasons with the club, Williams played in 42 league games, made four appearances in cup competitions and scored five goals.[20][25]

Limerick

In February 2013, Williams joined League of Ireland Premier Division club Limerick.[26][27] "We are delighted to get a player of Robbie's talent and experience on board," said manager Stuart Taylor.[26] Ahead of the new season, Williams said that "I'm not really familiar with the standard but the way people are talking it's looking positive."[28]

Honours

Barnsley
Blackpool

References

  1. Hugman, Barry (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 438. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Robbie Williams". Barnsley F.C. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  3. "Williams set for Blackpool switch". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 March 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  4. "Bradford 1–3 Blackpool". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 March 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Hughes, Ian (27 May 2007). "Yeovil 0–2 Blackpool". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  6. "Williams move to Terriers on hold". BBC Sport. BBC. 18 July 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  7. "Williams completes Terriers move". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 August 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  8. "Robbie Williams". Huddersfield Town F.C. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  9. "Five more trialists out to impress Aberdeen". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 July 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  10. "Hatters seal Williams deal". Sky Sports. BSkyB. 6 August 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Stockport County hand Robbie Williams new deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  12. "Three Out, One In". Stockport County F.C. 31 August 2010. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  13. "Stockport 2–1 Barnet". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  14. 14.0 14.1 "Rochdale sign Stockport County defender Robbie Williams". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
  15. 15.0 15.1 "Flynn, Williams and Fon Williams released by Rochdale". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  16. Cowdery, Rick (1 July 2011). "Four New Faces". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  17. "Plymouth Argyle sign Robbie Williams and Durrell Berry". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  18. "Shrewsbury 1–1 Plymouth". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  19. "Plymouth Argyle 2 Macclesfield 0". The Herald (Plymouth). 24 September 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 "Robbie Williams". Greens on Screen. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  21. "Robbie Williams agrees Plymouth Argyle contract extension". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 June 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  22. "Robbie Williams extends stay at Plymouth Argyle". The Herald (Plymouth). 21 June 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  23. 23.0 23.1 Parsons, Chris (31 January 2013). "Cheerio, Robbie". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  24. "Plymouth sign Crystal Palace winger Jason Banton on loan". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  25. Errington, Chris (31 January 2013). "Robbie Williams leaves Plymouth Argyle". The Herald (Plymouth). Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  26. 26.0 26.1 "Robbie Williams signs". Limerick F.C. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  27. "Limerick make double capture from England". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  28. "Robbie Williams looking to make it in Limerick". Limerick Leader (Limerick). 6 March 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013.

External links