Career
Southampton
Williams went to school at Street Edwards CofE Romford and started out as an apprentice with Southampton, having been a product of the Saints’ London Selection Centre and joining the club straight from school. He went on to establish himself as a talented midfielder, particularly with his passing ability and composure on the ball. In his first full season, 1976-1977, he was voted "player of the year" and earned recognition for England at under-21 level
In the 1978-1979 season, he was an ever-present in Saints’ run to the 1979 League Cup final (which they lost 3–2 to Brian Clough"s Nottingham Forest).
He succeeded Alan Ball as team captain and led The Saints to an Field Artillery Cup semi-final and to runners-up position in the 1983-1984 First Division. Unfortunately, the following season, manager Lawrie McMenemy was becoming disillusioned with Southampton, feeling that he had taken the club as far as he could.
This disillusionment spread to several key players including Williams, leading to a transfer request. In December 1984 he was transferred to Arsenal for a club record £550,000.
In all, he played 349 times for Southampton, scoring 27 goals.
England
Williams played fourteen times for the England under-21s. Arsenal
In December 1984 Williams moved to Arsenal (the club he supported as a boy) for £550,000. After making his debut in a North London derby match against Tottenham Hotspur on 1 January 1985, Williams was a regular for the rest of the season, playing another seventeen matches and showing the same promising form he had shown at Southampton.
However, his next season, 1985-1986, he suffered toe and hamstring injuries which limited his appearances in the side.
By the time he had recovered, George Graham had taken over as Arsenal manager, and initially Williams thrived, playing on the right hand side of midfield, alongside a young David Rocastle. Williams continued to play through the next season, but after Arsenal lost to Manchester United in January 1988, Williams was dropped to allow Michael Thomas to push forward into midfield, with new signing Lee Dixon taking over his place at right back.
Unable to reclaim his place in the side, Williams fell out with Graham, and in July 1988 he moved to Luton Town. In all he played 121 games for Arsenal, scoring five goals.
Luton, Exeter and Derry City
His spell in management was not a happy experience and he retired in 1993, after a brief playing spell at Derry City where he made his League of Ireland debut against Shamrock Rovers on 10 October 1993.
After retiring from football, he went into the magazine publishing business in Exeter. This turned out to be a very successful venture and he eventually sold out to a partner. In 2003, he was involved in property development in Devon.
As a player
Southampton
1979 League Cup finalist
Football League Division 1 Runners-up: 1983-1984
Arsenal.
