Darren Williams
(born 28 April 1977) is an English footballer.
Williams began his career at York City, but made his name at Sunderland, for whom he signed in 1996. He moved to Cardiff City in 2004, then on Hartlepool United in 2005. He was released by Hartlepool in 2007, and played for Bradford City during the 2007–08 season.
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DARREN WILLIAMS TICKETS
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Club career
York City
Born in
Middlesbrough,
England, Williams played for York when they beat
Manchester United 3–0 at
Old Trafford in the
League Cup in 1995.
Sunderland
He made over 250 appearances for Sunderland, 108 of which were in the
Premiership.
The highlight of his career so far was probably when he scored the winning goal for Sunderland at
Middlesbrough, his home town club, in 1997, effectively relegating the Teessiders. The versatility of the Middlesbrough-born player was a big attraction for Pools when signing him, as he is able to operate anywhere across the back four or in midfield.
Cardiff City
Williams joined
Cardiff City on a month-long loan in September 2004, with a view to a permanent move if he impressed.
[1] He played in all five of Cardiff's games during his initial loan period and his stay was extended for another two months.
[2] After he was told by Sunderland manager
Mick McCarthy his contract would not be extended,
[3] Williams made his move to
Ninian Park permanent in December 2004 on a free transfer.
[4]
Hartlepool United
Williams was offered a new contract by Cardiff manager
Lennie Lawrence, but when he was replaced by
Dave Jones, the offer was withdrawn.
[5] Instead he returned to the north east to join
League One side
Hartlepool United.
While at Hartlepool, Williams played the majority of the first team's games due to the injury of Hartlepool captain,
Micky Barron but when Barron returned he was moved to the bench. He was relegated in his first season at Hartlepool, but helped them earn instant promotion back to League One in
2006–07 as they missed out on the title on the last day of the season.
[6]
Bradford City
He was released by Hartlepool in May 2007 and joined
Bradford City in July 2007.
[7] [8] He was one of six new players who made their debut for City on the opening day of the
2007–08 in a 1–1 draw with
Macclesfield Town.
[9] [10] Williams lost his place at right back to loan signing
Ben Starosta, who replaced Williams at half-time in a game against
Wrexham in January 2008. Williams missed seven games until he won his place back against
Stockport County when Starosta fell ill.
[11] On 29 April 2008, Williams was deemed to be surplus to requirements at Valley Parade and was released by manager
Stuart McCall along with 13 other Bradford players.
[12]
Dundee
Williams joined
Scottish Football League First Division side
Dundee, where his former Sunderland teammate
Alex Rae was manager, on trial in July 2008 and played for them in their opening game of the
2008–09 season as they defeated
Ross County 2-1.
[13] Following another one-goal victory, Williams signed a one-year deal with Dundee.
[14] At the end of the 2008–09 season he was told he was free to look for another club by manager
Jocky Scott.
Gateshead
Williams was to join
Conference National team
Gateshead on 28 August 2009,
[15] but the deal was called off as he still has hopes of a return to the professional ranks and would have been unable to do so until January, even if joining Gateshead on a non-contract basis.
[16]
International career
He has also represented
England at
under-21 and '
B' level. He is a utility defender who can also play defensive midfield.
References
- Cardiff seal Williams deal
- Williams extends Cardiff stay
- Williams in talks with Bluebirds
- Williams makes Bluebirds switch
- Hartlepool complete Williams deal
- Hartlepool 1-2 Bristol Rovers
- Pools boss Wilson swings his axe
- Williams signs Bantams contract
- Let's hear it for the fans
- Bradford 1-1 Macclesfield
- Williams out to prove his staying power
- Johnson one of 13 axed by City
- Dundee 2-1 Ross County
- Dundee clinch signing of Williams
- Gateshead sign former Sunderland defender
- U turn on Williams signing