Anglesey/Ynys Môn football greats past and present – No17 Mark Williams
Before enjoying silverware success as a manager with Anglesey clubs this decade, Mark Williams had already carved out a reputation as a consistent goal-getter in the Welsh Premier League.
The Holyhead man, known popularly as “Evesy”, made his WPL debut for Newtown in 1993-94 and the following season was a really impressive one as he netted 21 times in 33 matches.
After two more productive campaigns with the Robins, Williams went on have a spell with Football League club Shrewsbury Town before switching to League of Ireland club Shelbourne, whom he represented in the 1999/2000 Inter-Toto Cup against Neuchatel Xamax of Switzerland.
Mark returned to Newtown and spent four more seasons at Latham Park before leaving the Powys club with a good return of 73 goals in 210 league starts (plus 13 as substitute).
While with Brian Coyne’s side, Williams also played in Europe against Skonto Riga of Latvia in the 1996/97 UEFA Cup.
He went on to represent Porthmadog in WPL in 2003/04 and 2004/05 before ending 2005/06 at Caersws.
When his WPL service came to an end his stats read 308 appearances (28 as sub) and 87 goals, making him one of the leading goal-getters in the top-flight to hail from Ynys Môn .
After finishing his playing days, Mark took up the role of assistant-manager to Campbell Harrison at Holyhead Hotspur.
The partnership guided Hotspur to their highest-ever finish of second place in the Huws Gray Alliance in 2008/09.
When Harrison moved on in 2009/10, Williams took over as first-team boss and his opening game in charge produced a stunning giant-killing Welsh Cup victory on penalties. The opposition? Williams’ former club Newtown.
After a 1-1 draw, Hotspur keeper Mike Doutch wrote himself into club folklore by saving a penalty in the shoot-out – and then smashing in the winning kick himself at the New Stadium.
Mark’s next appointment came in 2012/13 when he was invited by club secretary Gwil Owen to take over at Trearddur Bay United to replace the departing Chris Davies.
Williams had quite an act to follow with Davies having won a host of trophies in the previous four seasons – 10 in all.
And Mark instantly delivered as Bay were crowned 2012/13 Gwynedd League champions, going unbeaten in all 22 matches and rising to the Welsh Alliance.
Trearddur were promoted as the third-placed team in Division Two in 2014/15 and at the first attempt lifted the Division One title the following season, losing just once in 30 matches.
Williams stepped down at the end of that campaign, citing increased work commitments.
His respect in Anglesey football circles is immense.