Owain Fôn Williams
Encyclopedia
Owain Fôn Williams is a Welsh
footballer who plays as a goalkeeper who plays for Tranmere Rovers
.
, Gwynedd
, Williams joined Crewe Alexandra
after impressing during a trial spell and was signed on scholarship forms in 2003. He was first choice for the club's under-19 team but suffered a broken leg during his second year which halted his progress. Tired of the lack of first team appearances, Williams left Crewe in July 2008 for a tribunal set fee.
following the expiry of his contract with Crewe. After making his debut in a 1–1 draw with Huddersfield Town
on the opening day of the 2008–09
season, Williams soon established himself as County No.1, however in October 2008, he lost his first team place to on-loan keeper Fraser Forster
. Forster kept goal for six games throughout October and into early November before his loan spell expired and Owain returned to his Number One slot.
Until the middle of March, Williams was ever present for County, putting in match winning performances. On 30 March, Williams underwent an operation on his shoulder which kept him out for the remainder of the 2008–09 season.
On 28 October 2010, he joined Bury
on a two-month long emergency loan deal to replace an injured Cameron Belford
, taking the number 13 shirt for his period at the club. He returned to Stockport on 4 January 2011 after completion of his loan period.
, signing until the end of the season and made his debut on 22 January as his new side beat Yeovil.
on a permanent contract. This was confirmed by Tranmere on 1 July 2011 where he signed up on a two year contract. He made his competitive club debut on the first day of the 2011-12 season, starting the Football League match against Chesterfield
.
side on 8 November 2003 as a substitute to replace Wayne Hennessey
during a 4–0 win over Azerbaijan in a UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
qualifying match. After a handful of appearances for the under-19
side, Williams moved up to the Wales under-21
side, making his debut in a 4–0 friendly win against Northern Ireland
. He took over as the team's number one goalkeeper and missed just one match in the qualifying round
of the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
as they finished top of their group
before being beaten by England
in the play-off.
In February 2009, Williams earned his first call up to the senior Wales
squad for the match with Poland
in Portugal and was called up a second time the following month for the qualifiers with Finland
and Germany
.
, North Wales
and is a native Welsh speaker
.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
footballer who plays as a goalkeeper who plays for Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
.
Crewe Alexandra
Born in CaernarfonCaernarfon
Caernarfon is a Royal town, community and port in Gwynedd, Wales, with a population of 9,611. It lies along the A487 road, on the east banks of the Menai Straits, opposite the Isle of Anglesey. The city of Bangor is to the northeast, while Snowdonia fringes Caernarfon to the east and southeast...
, Gwynedd
Gwynedd
Gwynedd is a county in north-west Wales, named after the old Kingdom of Gwynedd. Although the second biggest in terms of geographical area, it is also one of the most sparsely populated...
, Williams joined Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
after impressing during a trial spell and was signed on scholarship forms in 2003. He was first choice for the club's under-19 team but suffered a broken leg during his second year which halted his progress. Tired of the lack of first team appearances, Williams left Crewe in July 2008 for a tribunal set fee.
Stockport County
On 8 July 2008 he joined Stockport CountyStockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
following the expiry of his contract with Crewe. After making his debut in a 1–1 draw with Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
on the opening day of the 2008–09
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
season, Williams soon established himself as County No.1, however in October 2008, he lost his first team place to on-loan keeper Fraser Forster
Fraser Forster
Fraser Gerard Forster is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Celtic, on loan from Newcastle United.He started his career with Newcastle and has had loan spells with Stockport County, Bristol Rovers and Norwich City as well as being on loan to Celtic for the 2010–11 season.-Early...
. Forster kept goal for six games throughout October and into early November before his loan spell expired and Owain returned to his Number One slot.
Until the middle of March, Williams was ever present for County, putting in match winning performances. On 30 March, Williams underwent an operation on his shoulder which kept him out for the remainder of the 2008–09 season.
On 28 October 2010, he joined Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
on a two-month long emergency loan deal to replace an injured Cameron Belford
Cameron Belford
Cameron Dale Belford is an English footballer who plays for Bury as a goalkeeper.-Early career:Born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, Belford started his career at Coventry City and had a brief loan spell at Conference National side Tamworth during the 2006–07 season playing one game against Morecambe,...
, taking the number 13 shirt for his period at the club. He returned to Stockport on 4 January 2011 after completion of his loan period.
Rochdale
On 20 January 2011 he joined RochdaleRochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
, signing until the end of the season and made his debut on 22 January as his new side beat Yeovil.
Tranmere Rovers
He was released at the end of the 2010–11 season by Rochdale and at the end of June 2011, sports media in the UK reported he was due to join Tranmere RoversTranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
on a permanent contract. This was confirmed by Tranmere on 1 July 2011 where he signed up on a two year contract. He made his competitive club debut on the first day of the 2011-12 season, starting the Football League match against Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
.
International career
Williams made his one and only appearance for the Wales under-17Wales national under-17 football team
The Wales national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales.-Current squad:...
side on 8 November 2003 as a substitute to replace Wayne Hennessey
Wayne Hennessey
Wayne Robert Hennessey is a Welsh international footballer who plays for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers as a goalkeeper.-Early career:...
during a 4–0 win over Azerbaijan in a UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
The UEFA U-17 Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. From 1982 to 2001 it was an Under-16 event.This meeting serves as a preliminary competition for the FIFA U-17 World Cup every other year....
qualifying match. After a handful of appearances for the under-19
Wales national under-19 football team
The Wales national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship held every year.-Recent history:...
side, Williams moved up to the Wales under-21
Wales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
side, making his debut in a 4–0 friendly win against Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national under-21 football team
The Northern Ireland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Northern Ireland.-Former coaches:* To 20 August 2008.-2008/09 Matches:-Current squad:Squad to play San Marino.-Other Recent Call-Ups:...
. He took over as the team's number one goalkeeper and missed just one match in the qualifying round
2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification
The 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship started on 31 May 2007 with a qualifying competition and finishes on 15 October 2008, before the final tournament on 15–23 June 2009....
of the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship began on 15 June 2009, and was the 17th UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. This was the first tournament after the competition reverted to a two-year format, following the single-year 2006-07 competition, which allowed the change to...
as they finished top of their group
2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Qualification Group 10
The teams competing in Group 10 of the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying competition are Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Malta, Romania and Wales.-Standings:Key:...
before being beaten by England
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
in the play-off.
In February 2009, Williams earned his first call up to the senior Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
squad for the match with Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
in Portugal and was called up a second time the following month for the qualifiers with Finland
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
and Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
.
Personal life
He grew up in GwyneddGwynedd
Gwynedd is a county in north-west Wales, named after the old Kingdom of Gwynedd. Although the second biggest in terms of geographical area, it is also one of the most sparsely populated...
, North Wales
North Wales
North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England...
and is a native Welsh speaker
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
.