North Wales women’s football all-time Surnames XI’s: No 2 – Team Williams

Welcome to the second of a new series where we choose what we consider are the best XI’s in North Wales women’s football according to their surnames.

We will restrict selections to North Wales Women’s League, Welsh Premier League, North Wales Recreational League and great North Wales teams from the past (e.g. Bangor City, Caernarfon Town, Llandudno).

We’ll avoid girls playing in English teams as there are so many of them, it is not that easy to find details on where all of them play, and there is always the risk of leaving out a top player.

There is less chance of that happening with the leagues I am picking from – I’ve never claimed to know everyone or everything!

Here we go then….the mighty All-Time Williams XI

GOALKEEPER

Sara Williams

I couldn’t find a regular Williams keeper, but I have no fears in putting Sara between the posts.
She is best known as a strong-tackling defender/midfielder, but she can do a solid job in goal as she’s proven before.
A really great player to have in the dressing room too. Experienced player, ex-clubs include Llandudno, Caernarfon Town.

DEFENCE

Beca Williams

Having a brilliant first season with Bethel in North Wales Women’s League Division One.
Developed her skills through the Penrhyndeudraeth boys teams, then later was selected for North Wales and was on standby for the Wales Under-16 squad.
Superb right or left back, strong, solid, good on the ball.

Paige Williams

Okay, originally a Musgrave, but no rules which say players cannot be chosen by their married names! 🙂
Paige was in the Ynys Môn team which reached the final of the 2019 Inter-Island Games and also plays as an attacking right-back/midfielder with Division Two runaway leaders Amlwch Town.

Hayley Rees-Williams

Hayley can – and has – played in just about every position for Pwllheli.
Prefers right-back, but is tall so can also do a sound job in the centre of defence.

Gwawr Williams

Key member of the Denbigh Town side which won the North Wales Women’s League title in 2014-15.
Gwawr emerged through the successful Corwen youth system before joining Denbigh.
Strong, committed player who can operate effectively either in central defence or as an attacking left-back.

MIDFIELD

Iona Wyn Williams

Key player in Bangor City’s golden period of the 1990s and early 2000s when they lifted the Welsh Cup three times.
A calm controlled player, she kept the game simple playing easy balls.

Abby Williams

Midfield general with Airbus UK Broughton, fantastic on the ball and a born leader.
Deadly from set-pieces and possesses a tremendous shot. Every manager would want her in their side.

Alwen Williams

Another of the great players from Bangor City’s past.
Represented the club for 12 years as a key midfielder. Played in the Axa Northern and Premier Division.

Manon Lloyd Williams

Welsh international at both football and rugby union. In the round ball game is remembered for her bags of pace on the right wing.
Sister of Welsh Premier all-time top goal scorer Marc, Manon was a star player in her own right, netting regularly for the Citizens.

STRIKERS

Ffion Wyn Williams

I only realised last night I could have picked Ffion as a goalkeeper as she wore the gloves when Caernarfon Girls Under-16s won the quadruple in 2013-14!
Maybe she could swap with Sara during the game if both were happy with that.
I know Ffion more as a prolific goalscorer with Bethel. Her pace and finishing ability makes her one of the best forwards in North Wales.

Fflur Williams

Daughter of North Wales all-time great goal machine Euryn, Fflur recently joined Bethel after her previous club Llandudno resigned from the Welsh Premier.
Fflur was a ruthless goal scorer for Llandudno’s junior sides, then she had a steady record for the seniors, having also played for Cardiff City Ladies in the English pyramid.