Born in England, he represented Cyprus at international level.
Career
Club career
Williams was born in Carshalton, London.[1] His professional career began with West Ham United in April 2000 when he joined the club from Walton & Hersham for a fee of £40,000. He went on loan to Peterborough United in March 2001, without having made his senior debut, and the move was made permanent during the summer. He stayed with the Posh for one season, before moving to Birmingham City for a fee of £350,000.
His career stalled at St Andrew's, playing just four games for Birmingham, and, after two loan periods at Queens Park Rangers, during which he scored once, against Huddersfield Town,[2] he rejoined Peterborough United, initially on loan, later joining permanently. In May 2004 Williams went to Barnsley on a free transfer.
He played a full season for the South Yorkshire side, before moving again on a free transfer to Gillingham in July 2005, and then signing for Swansea City in January 2006 after the Gills suffered financial problems. He returned to the side in December 2006 after a hernia operation in November, and was released at the end of the season.
On 31 December 2007 Williams joined Peterborough United for the third time, initially on an emergency loan to make him available for the match on New Year's Day, for which he was an unused substitute. The loan was converted to a permanent deal two days later.[4][5]
On 9 November 2009, Williams rejoined Championship side Queens Park Rangers on a short-term loan deal, with a possible view to sign permanently in the January transfer window. This did not happen in the end and he returned to Peterborough during January 2010.
Williams joined former boss Darren Ferguson at Preston North End on loan for the rest of the season. Preston decided not to sign him on a permanent basis, and he returned to Peterborough, where he was released following his contract expiry.
After a pre-season trial,[6] Williams joined Championship club Bristol City on a six-month contract on 5 August 2010.[7]
Williams joined Colchester United on a month's loan on 30 September, later extended for a further two months. He made nine appearances in all competitions and scored once, in a 2–1 win over AFC Bournemouth.[8][9] Williams' Bristol City contract was terminated on 5 January 2011.
On 14 February, he joined League One club Walsall until the end of the season.[10] He made fourteen league appearances and scored once, in a 1–1 draw with Oldham Athletic.[8][11] In August 2011, Williams played one match in the Conference for Kettering Town, a 3–0 defeat away at Mansfield Town.[12] He signed for Notts County in August 2012 on a short-term deal,[13] and was released in January 2013 when his contract expired.[14]
Following a trial in July 2018, Williams joined Hashtag United of the Eastern Counties League Division One South.[20][21] After his first season ended with promotion as champions, Williams moved into a player/coach role for the 2019–20 season.[22] On 3 September, during an Essex Senior Cup first round win away to Halstead Town, he seriously injured a hand after smashing a home dressing room window after he had received a red card.[23] He scored 3 goals in 25 league games for Hashtag United.[24][25]
International career
Williams qualifies for Cyprus through his mother,[26] and has one international cap, which came in 2006.[27]
^"Duo released". Notts County F.C. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
^"Guildford City v Clevedon Town – Today (GAME ON) & New Signings". Guildford City F.C. 9 January 2014. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2015. We also welcome the highly experienced central defender Tom Williams who joins us from Notts County. Tom gained a full international cap for Cyprus in 2006 and has made nearly 300 Football League appearances for a number of clubs including Peterborough United, Barnsley and Swansea City. Underwood, Barry (12 January 2014). "Guildford City 3–2 Clevedon Town". Guildford City F.C. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2015. City for their part gave a debut to Cyprus international Tom Williams in the centre of defence "Merthyr Town 12–0 Guildford City". Guildford City F.C. 9 February 2014. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2015.