Former Wales international Georgia Williams is loving her football with NFA

Former Wales international Georgia Williams is in her third season of a football comeback with Rhyl-based team NFA.

Georgia, who represented Wales Under-17s in 2012-13 alongside top-class North Wales players such as Louisha Doran, Emilie Revitt, Kelsey Davies and Olivia Fuller, and played club football for Tranmere Rovers, celebrated her birthday yesterday (September 17).

After a break from the game to concentrate on her studies, Georgia joined NFA at the start of 2023-24 and has since netted four goals in 36 appearances for the side.

She is also team captain and led the ladies to an encouraging 3-0 home win over Trearddur Bay last Sunday in the North Wales Coast Women’s League.

Georgia kindly answered some questions from Grassroots North Wales about her football career.

What age did you start playing football and what was the name of your first team?

I started playing when I was around 6 and it was for Kinmel Bay Girls.

What inspired you to take up the game?

I started playing in school and my teacher encouraged my dad to get me involved with a team

Did you play any representative football as a schoolgirl?

I played for the school football team and also North Wales regional team at the age of 13 (I think).

What clubs have you played for in your career?

Kinmel Bay, Tranmere Rovers, NFA and Wales

What is your best position?

My preferred position was left wing when I was younger, but played striker for Wales. Now my position is centre-mid

In 2012-13 you were picked for the Wales Under-17 squad against Latvia – what was the experience of representing your country like?

Latvia was an amazing experience, set a whole new standard for me. I also went to Lithuania but I can’t remember what year that was. I get confused with the two but we won one of the tournaments

You are in the age group where you would have played alongside the likes of Louisha Doran, Kelsey Davies, Lois Regan, Oliver Fuller and Rebecca Pritchard – what were those girls like to play alongside and are you still in touch with them now?

Yeah I got along with those girls really well, they’re all great people and I’m still in contact with some of them now.

How was the Tranmere Rovers experience for you?

Tranmere Rovers was a different experience altogether, much more physical and tougher side of play but I enjoyed it. This was where my football stopped for a few years though.

You’ve returned to play football with NFA in recent seasons – did you take a break from the game and why was this?

I was at an age where I just started Uni, and the amount of time and energy I was having to put into it was affecting my love for the game. Eventually I made the decision to stop playing to focus on studies

Have you enjoyed your return to football? I guess there have been some testing times with NFA but you seem ready now for a good season in Tier 3 – how do you feel you’ve started?

I only returned to football about 2/3 seasons ago with NFA. I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity as I’m so glad I got back into football! It’s been tough for me physically as not playing so long it’s been a work in progress with fitness and technicality. But I’ve got a great team and management which makes it all worth it.

We feel much better coming into Tier 3. Our squad’s now grown and the dynamic within the team has progressed massively. We’ve started off well and hopefully can continue with the wins!

Is there any family history with football and do you play any other sports?

There’s no family history of football that I’m aware of. I used to play different sports in school but football has always been my main focus

What are your football hopes for the future?

My football hopes for the future would be to continue with NFA and get us back into Tier 2.