Owain Fôn Williams

Owain Fôn Williams
Personal information
Full name Owain Fôn Williams[1]
Date of birth (1987-03-17) 17 March 1987
Place of birth Penygroes, Gwynedd, Wales[2]
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Number 25
Youth career
2003–2006 Crewe Alexandra
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2006–2008 Crewe Alexandra 0 (0)
2008–2011 Stockport County 82 (0)
2010–2011 → Bury (loan) 6 (0)
2011 Rochdale 22 (0)
2011–2015 Tranmere Rovers 161 (0)
2015– Inverness Caledonian Thistle 14 (0)
National team‡
2003 Wales U17 1 (0)
2004–2006 Wales U19 4 (0)
2007–2008 Wales U21 11 (0)
2015– Wales 1 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 7 November 2015.
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 13 November 2015

Owain Fôn Williams (born 17 March 1987) is a Welsh international footballer who plays for Scottish Premiership side Inverness Caledonian Thistle. A goalkeeper, he made 271 appearances in the Football League, including 161 for Tranmere Rovers.

In his 9-year-long playing career, Williams previously played for Crewe Alexandra, Stockport County, Bury, and Rochdale. In June 2011, he signed for Tranmere Rovers before being released by the club in May 2015.

Formerly a Welsh youth international, he was first called up to the senior Wales team in 2009, finally making his debut in 2015.

Club career

Crewe Alexandra

Born in Penygroes, Gwynedd,[2] Fôn Williams joined Crewe Alexandra after impressing during a trial period when he had his spells at Premier League clubs Manchester United and Liverpool and was signed on scholarship forms in 2003.[3] He was first choice for the club's under-19 team but suffered a broken leg during his second year which halted his progress.[4] On 19 June 2006, Fôn Williams signed a two-year contract with the club.[5]

Following his recovery, Fôn Williams was given number twenty-one shirt[6] and competed for the first choice goalkeeper with Ben Williams, but failed to start and spent the most of the season on the substitute bench.[7] Tired of the lack of first team appearances, Fôn Williams was offered a new contract, but the negotiations was stalled[8] and left Crewe in July 2008 for a tribunal set fee.[9]

Stockport County

On 8 July 2008, he joined Stockport County following the expiration of his contract with Crewe.[10] Fôn Williams was linked with a move to Premier League clubs and Championship clubs before joining Stockport County.[11]

After making his debut in a 1–1 draw with Huddersfield Town on the opening day of the 2008–09 season,[12] Fôn Williams soon established himself as County's No.1, however in October 2008, he lost his first team place to on-loan keeper Fraser Forster. Forster was kept in goal for six games throughout October and into early November before his loan spell expired and Williams returned to his Number One slot. Until the middle of March, Fôn Williams was ever present for County, putting in match winning performances. On 30 March, Williams underwent an operation on his shoulder which kept him out for the remainder of the 2008–09 season.[13] Despite making thirty-three appearance, Fôn Williams, nevertheless, was awarded Stockport County's Player of the Year.[14] His performance saw also him being linked with a move to Premier League side Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United and the club may sell him, as they faced financial problems.[15]

In the 2009-10 season, Fôn Williams made his return from injury in a friendly match, with a 5-0 win over Nostell Miners Welfare on 18 July 2009.[16] After being featured as a first choice goalkeeper for the rest of the friendly matches, Fôn Williams made his league return from injury, in the opening game of the season, in a 0-0 draw against Oldham Athletic, where he made a string of saves.[17] After the match, Manager Gary Ablett praised his performance.[18] However, the club struggled in the league and record twelve games without a point between 17 October 2009 and 19 January 2010. This was later ended in the next game when the club drew 0-0 against Carlisle United and the game also saw Fôn Williams making a string of saves, including saving a shot from Adam Clayton's 30 yard drive.[19] Despite Fôn Williams' best effort, the club were later relegated from League One.

As the club were relegated from League One, Fôn Williams was available to leave the club on a free transfer.[20] However, the club's attempts to let Fôn Williams leave the club in the summer failed and allowed him to leave the club.[21] Fôn Williams went on to make seven appearance in the 2010-11 season and was mostly on the substitution bench after losing his first choice to newly signing Matt Glennon.[22]

Bury and Rochdale

On 28 October 2010, Fôn Williams joined local rivals Bury on a two-month-long emergency loan deal to replace the injured Cameron Belford.[23] Fôn Williams made his Bury debut on 30 October 2010, in a 3-1 win over Aldershot Town.[24] After making seven appearance for Bury, Fôn Williams returned to Stockport on 4 January 2011 after completion of his loan period.[25]

On 20 January 2011, Fôn Williams joined another local rival Rochdale signing until the end of the season[26] and made his debut on 22 January as his new side beat Yeovil Town.[27] Fôn Williams helped the club finished seven place, as he made twenty-two appearance for Rochdale.[28] At the end of the 2010-11 season, Fôn Williams was released by Rochdale.[29]

Tranmere Rovers

At the end of June 2011, sports media in the UK reported he was due to join Tranmere Rovers on a permanent contract.[30] This was confirmed by Tranmere on 1 July 2011, where he signed up on a two-year contract.[31]

Despite suffering a thigh injury in the pre-season friendly,[32] Fôn Williams made his competitive club debut on the first day of the 2011–12 season, starting the Football League match against Chesterfield. Tranmere Rovers won 1-0 and kept a clean sheet on his debut[33] Three weeks later on 31 August 2011, Fôn Williams helped the club go through to the next round of Johnstone's Trophy after Tranmere Rovers beat Port Vale in the penalty-shootout, with Fôn Williams saved one of the two penalties.[34] Fôn Williams established himself as a first choice goalkeeper at Tranmere Rovers and his impressive display led him being praised by Manager Les Parry.[35] However, Fôn Williams suffered a hand injury in training,[36] resulted him having a surgery, which saw him sidelined for eight weeks.[37] After months on the sidelined, Fôn Williams made his first team return on 4 February 2012, in a 2-1 loss against Wycombe Wanderers.[38] Fôn Williams was sent-off in the 72nd minutes after fouling Ryan Noble in the box, in a 1-1 draw against Hartlepool United on 21 April 2012.[39] In his first season at Tranmere Rovers, Fôn Williams made thirty-five appearance for the club.

In the 2012-13 season, Fôn Williams continued to be the first choice goalkeeper and made forty-five appearance for the club this season. But after wasn't included in the starting line-up for the national team, Fôn Williams returned to Tranmere Rovers line-up and played in a 3-2 win over Yeovil Town on 13 October 2012.[40] By the end of October, Fôn Williams made a good display, where he conceded fourteen goals in fifteen games and kept a clean sheet at least six times.[41] During a period of heavy snowfall in January 2013, an away fixture at Brentford was briefly stopped as Williams was pelted by snowballs thrown from the home supporters.[42] Later, Fôn Williams got even with Brentford supporters when Tranmere Rovers beat them on 19 January 2013.[43] At the end of the 2012-13 season, Fôn Williams was offered a new contract by the club.[44] Fôn Williams turned down a move to Championship in favour of signing a two-year contract extension at the club.[45][46]

In the 2013-14 season, Fôn Williams suffered a knee injury in a pre-season friendly,[47] but made his recovery soon after.[48] Weeks later on 27 August 2013, Fôn Williams was hero in the penalty shoot-out against Bolton Wanderers in the second round of League Cup after saving two penalties from André Moritz and Alex Baptiste following a 1-1 draw that last through 120 minutes.[49] By the first half of the season, Fôn Williams made twenty-one out of twenty-three appearance because of his international commitment.[50][51] Despite this, Fôn Williams' continued to impress and was nominated for Sky Bet League 1 Player of the Month award for February as a result of his good performance.[52] However, the club find themselves in the relegation zone, with their League One status for next season was under threat. After being booked in a match against Leyton Orient on 26 April 2014, Fôn Williams missed the match on the final day of the season a home defeat against Bradford City and results elsewhere meant they were relegated to Football League Two.[53] Following the club's relegation, Fôn Williams' relegation clause was activated, allowing him to leave the club.[54]

In the 2014-15 season, Fôn Williams continued to remained at the club, as they played in League Two.[55] Fôn Williams continued to be first choice goalkeeper throughout the season, despite missing nine matches due to international commitment.[56][57][58][59]

In May 2015, following Tranmere's relegation to the Conference Premier, Fôn Williams was released by the club, ending his four years association with the club.[60] His release saw him being linked with a move, with not England, but also abroad, which interested him.[61]

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

After his release from Tranmere, Fôn Williams signed for Scottish Premiership side Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 16 July 2015.[62] He made his debut later that day, in a 0–1 home defeat to Astra Giurgiu of Romania in UEFA Europa League qualification.[63] His league debut came on 1 August, as the team began their season with a 0–1 home loss to Motherwell in which he saved a penalty from Scott McDonald.[64]

International career

After being called up by Wales under-17,[65] Williams made his one and only appearance for the Wales under-17 side on 8 November 2003, as a substitute to replace Wayne Hennessey during a 4–0 win over Azerbaijan in a UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship qualifying match.[66]

After a handful of appearances for the under-19 side, Williams moved up to the Wales under-21 side,[67] making his debut in a 4–0 friendly win against Northern Ireland.[68] He took over as the team's number one goalkeeper and missed just one match in the qualifying round of the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship as they finished top of their group before being beaten by England in the play-off.[69]

In February 2009, Williams earned his first call up to the senior Wales squad for the match with Poland in Portugal and was called up a second time the following month for the qualifiers with Finland and Germany.[70] He remained a regular back-up goalkeeper in the following years, including in their successful UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.[71][72][50][73] He finally made his debut on 13 November 2015 in a friendly against the Netherlands at Cardiff City Stadium, replacing Wayne Hennessey with 16 minutes to play and the score at 2–2, and conceded the winning goal from Arjen Robben.[74]

Career statistics

As of match played 2 May 2015.
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Crewe Alexandra 2005–06[75] Championship —————
2006–07[76] League One —————
2007–08[77] —————
Total —————
Stockport County 2008–09[78] League One 33040101[lower-alpha 1]0390
2009–10[79] 44020——460
2010–11[80] League Two 50—10—60
Total 820602010910
Bury (loan) 2010–11[80] League Two 6020——80
Rochdale 2010–11[80] League One 220———220
Tranmere Rovers 2011–12[81] League One 35010103[lower-alpha 1]0400
2012–13[82] 45030201[lower-alpha 1]0510
2013–14[83] 43020301[lower-alpha 1]0490
2014–15[84] League Two 38040101[lower-alpha 1]0440
Total 161010070601840
Career total 271018090703050
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy

Personal life

Fôn Williams is the youngest of three brothers.[85] He has an interest in oil painting; some of his work is due to be exhibited publicly in the summer of 2016.[86]

References

  1. ↑ "Statistics". Findmypast.com. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
  2. 1 2 Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 545. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. ↑ "Owain Fon Williams (Goalkeeper)". Manchester Evening News. 19 April 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  4. ↑ "Grant aid!". Crewe Chronicle. 7 September 2005. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  5. ↑ "Fôn Williams signs new Crewe deal". BBC Sport. 19 June 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "Numbers are up!". Crewe Chronicle. 1 August 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "Owain: I can still be number one". Crewe Chronicle. 11 July 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  8. ↑ "Crewe Alex: Holland begins clear out". Crewe Chronicle. 7 May 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "Alex keeper moves to League One rivals". Crewe Chronicle. 9 July 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  10. ↑ "Fôn Williams makes Stockport move". BBC Sport. 9 July 2008. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  11. ↑ "Top-flight clubs eye Crewe keeper". BBC Sport. 21 May 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  12. ↑ "Huddersfield 1–1 Stockport". BBC Sport. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  13. ↑ "Operation a success". Stockport County F.C. 30 March 2009. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  14. ↑ "Owain's gong". Manchester Evening News. 6 May 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  15. ↑ "Owain: Is he County's saviour?". Manchester Evening News. 19 February 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  16. ↑ "Injury all-clear for Williams". Manchester Evening News. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  17. ↑ "Keeper hero as Latics held". Sky Sports. 8 August 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  18. ↑ "Ablett happy to earn point". Manchester Evening News. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  19. ↑ "Fon Williams gives County hope". Manchester Evening News. 25 January 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  20. ↑ "Williams free to move". Sky Sports. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "Hatters eye keeper sale". Sky Sports. 9 September 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  22. ↑ "Fon Williams waits to discover what the future holds". Manchester Evening News. 1 December 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  23. ↑ "Keeper arrives at Gigg Lane". Bury F.C. 28 October 2010. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  24. ↑ "Aldershot Town 1 - 3 Bury". Manchester Evening News. 30 October 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  25. ↑ "Owain Fon Williams back at Stockport County". Manchester Evening News. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  26. ↑ "Rochdale sign Stockport goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams". Manchester Evening News. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  27. ↑ "Yeovil 0–1 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 22 January 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  28. ↑ "Fon Williams hails Dale". Sky Sports. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  29. ↑ "Dale begin squad refreshment". Sky Sports. 12 May 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  30. ↑ "Fon Williams to join Rovers". Sky Sports. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  31. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers sign goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams". BBC Sport. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  32. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers may face a goalkeeping problem just two weeks before the new season kicks-off". Liverpool Echo. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  33. ↑ "Tranmere 1–0 Chesterfield". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 6 August 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  34. ↑ "Tranmere 1 Port Vale 1 - Rovers win 4-2 on penalties in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy". Liverpool Echo. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  35. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers boss Les Parry hails impact of goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams". Liverpool Echo. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  36. ↑ "Tranmere sign Leeds keeper Paul Rachubka on emergency one-month loan after Owain Fon Williams broke his hand in training". Liverpool Echo. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  37. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers' Owain Fon Williams sleeping better now broken bone in hand is on the mend". Liverpool Echo. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  38. ↑ "Wycombe Wanderers 2 - 1 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. 4 February 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  39. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  40. ↑ "Owain Fon Williams dashes back from Wales duty to play in Tranmere win". Liverpool Echo. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  41. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers FC keeper Owain Fon Williams to get perfect showcase for his talent". Liverpool Echo. 31 October 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  42. ↑ McCort, Ian (19 January 2013). "Football clockwatch". Guardian. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  43. ↑ "Brentford 1-2 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 19 January 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  44. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers FC offer keeper Owain Fon Williams new contract for next season". Liverpool Echo. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  45. ↑ "Transfer News: Owain Fon Williams to stay with Tranmere Rovers". Sky Sports. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  46. ↑ "Fon Williams Signs New Deal". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 18 July 2013. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  47. ↑ "Fon Williams Injures Knee". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 27 July 2013. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  48. ↑ "Fonners To Resume Training". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 30 July 2013. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  49. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers 1 - 1 Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  50. 1 2 "Welsh Call Up For Fon Williams". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 28 August 2013. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  51. ↑ "Fon Williams Called Up". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 8 November 2013. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  52. ↑ "Fon Williams Nominated For Monthly Award". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 5 March 2014. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  53. ↑ "Tranmere 1-2 Bradford". BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  54. ↑ "Transfer news: Tranmere goalkeeper Owain Fon-Williams could be set to leave". Sky Sports. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  55. ↑ "Rob Edwards seeks to resolve Owain Fon Williams' future". Liverpool Echo. 2 July 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  56. ↑ "Fon Williams Called Up For Andorra Qualifier". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 27 August 2014. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  57. ↑ "Fon Williams Gets Welsh Call Up". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 1 October 2014. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  58. ↑ "Welsh Call Up For Fon Williams". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 18 March 2015. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  59. ↑ "Preview: Tranmere v AFC Wimbledon". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 27 March 2015. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  60. ↑ "Rovers Release Seven". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 6 May 2015. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  61. ↑ "Owain Fon Williams: Ex-Tranmere keeper interesting foreign clubs". BBC Sport. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  62. ↑ "Inverness CT: Goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams joins Highlanders". BBC Sport. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  63. ↑ "Inverness CT 0 - 1 Astra Giurgiu". BBC Sport. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  64. ↑ "Inverness CT 0 - 1 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 1 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  65. ↑ "National service". Crewe Chronicle. 29 October 2003. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  66. ↑ "Match Report – Azerbaijan 0–4 Wales". Football Association of Wales. 8 November 2003. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  67. ↑ "Vaughan gets call up". Crewe Chronicle. 9 August 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  68. ↑ "Match Report – Northern Ireland 0–4 Wales". Football Association of Wales. 6 February 2007. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  69. ↑ Bevan, Chris (14 October 2008). "England U21 2–2 Wales U21 (5–4)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  70. ↑ "Owain Fon Williams". Biography & statistics. Football Association of Wales. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  71. ↑ "Fonners Joins Up With Welsh Squad". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 8 October 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  72. ↑ "Fonners On Bench In Wales Win". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 13 October 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  73. ↑ "Wales v Belgium: James Chester returns for Euro 2016 qualifier". BBC Sport. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  74. ↑ Pritchard, Dafydd (13 November 2015). "Wales 2-3 Netherlands". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  75. ↑ "Squad stats: 2005/06". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  76. ↑ "Squad stats: 2006/07". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  77. ↑ "Squad stats: 2007/08". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  78. ↑ "Games played by Owain Fon Williams in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  79. ↑ "Games played by Owain Fon Williams in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  80. 1 2 3 "Games played by Owain Fon Williams in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  81. ↑ "Games played by Owain Fon Williams in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  82. ↑ "Games played by Owain Fon Williams in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  83. ↑ "Games played by Owain Fon Williams in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  84. ↑ "Games played by Owain Fon Williams in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  85. ↑ "Owain Fon Williams is aiming for the top at Tranmere Rovers". Liverpool Echo. 6 July 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  86. ↑ Fraser, Alasdair (25 September 2015). "Life is a canvas for Inverness goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams, whose original oil paintings are to be exhibited in a top gallery". Scottish Daily Mail. Retrieved 25 September 2015.

External links

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