Harry Williams (soccer, born 1951)
Harry Williams (born 7 May 1951) is a former soccer player. He was the first recognised Indigenous Australian to play for the senior Australian national football team, the Socceroos. He was part of Australia's 1974 FIFA World Cup squad.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Harry Williams | ||
| Date of birth | 7 May 1951 | ||
| Place of birth | Sydney, Australia | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1970–1977 | St. George-Budapest | ||
| 1978 | Canberra City SC | ||
| 1985–1986 | Inter Monaro | 19 | (0) |
| 1990 | Inter Monaro | 2 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 1970–1977 | Australia | 13 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 August 2007 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22 August 2007 | |||
Early life edit
Williams was born in 1951[1] in Sydney of Aboriginal and Welsh descent. From the age of nine, Williams played junior soccer for St George Police Boys side in Sydney.[citation needed]
Career edit
Williams played in the New South Wales competition for St George.[1]
He was recruited to the national side at the age of 19, and went on an overseas tour with the team in 1970. In 1974, having only played six matches for Australia as a senior, Williams was part of Australia's first foray into the World Cup Finals in West Germany.[1]
Including qualifiers, Williams played six World Cup matches for Australia during his career. In total, he represented Australia 17 times between 1970 and 1978.[citation needed]
Recognition edit
A 2005 photo of Williams by photographer Sahlan Hayes was purchased by the National Gallery of Australia.[1]
Family edit
He is the first cousin of basketball player Claude Williams, who was the first and only Aboriginal basketball coach. Claude is the son of musician Claude "Candy" Williams.[2]
References edit
External links edit
- "First Aboriginal Socceroo confident". The Age. 17 May 2006.