Vale Billy Williams

Football Australia is saddened to hear of the passing of former Australian international Billy Williams this week. 

Williams, a Wollongong product, made three appearances for the national team in 1955.

Williams commenced his senior career at Bulli aged 15, and played with NSW state league clubs Woonona-Bulli, Canterbury-Marrickville, Corrimal United and South Coast United in a 12-year senior career out from 1951.

Despite his young age at the time, Williams quickly rose to captaincy at Woonona.

His move from Woonona to Canterbury in 1958 was temporary, as he struggled to make the regular journeys from Wollongong to Sydney on top of business commitments.

He initially announced his retirement from the game in June, only to reappear six weeks later for his hometown club Corrimal who went on to win the state premiership that year.

Williams first confronted international opposition playing for NSW against New Zealand in 1954, and over the following five years came up against the likes of Rapid Vienna, Ferencvaros and South Africa representing the state and NSW South Coast, as captain for some matches.

His three Australian appearances were against South China in July–August 1955.

Football Australia and the Socceroos family send their condolences to the Williams family, and those closest to Billy. Vale.