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Fara Williams

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Fara Williams
MBE
Williams in 2014
Personal information
Full name Fara Tanya Franki Merrett[1]
Date of birth (1984-01-25)25 January 1984(age 40)[1]
Place of birth Battersea,London,England
Height 5 ft 5 in (1.64 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Chelsea
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
0000–2001 Chelsea
2001–2004 Charlton Athletic
2004–2012 Everton 122 (70)
2012–2015 Liverpool 35 (9)
2016–2017 Arsenal 22 (2)
2017–2021 Reading 67 (25)
Total 246 (106)
International career‡
2001–2019 England 177 (40)
2012 Great Britain 5 (0)
Medal record
Women'sfootball
RepresentingEngland
FIFA Women's World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Canada
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:48, 6 February 2020 (UTC)[2][3]
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16:08, 26 April 2021 (UTC)

Fara Tanya Franki MerrettMBE(born 25 January 1984), known professionally asFara Williams,is an English formerfootballerwho played as amidfielder.A consistent goalscorer and set-piece specialist, Williams was considered one of England's leading players.[4][5]

Williams' club career started withChelseathen she progressed toCharlton Athleticin 2001. She signed forEvertonin 2004 and later becamethe captainof the club, winning thePremier League Cupin 2008 and theFA Women's Cupin 2010. After eight years with Everton, she signed for local rivalsLiverpoolin 2012 and won theleague titlein 2013 and 2014. Williams was namedThe Football Association(FA) Young Player of the Year in 2002, FA Players' Player of the Year in 2009 and FA International Player of the Year in both 2007 and 2009.

From her senior debut in 2001 until her retirement in 2019, Williams earned 177capsfor theEngland women's team,making her their highest capped player.[6]She played at the2005,2009,2013and2017European Championships, as well as the World Cups in2007,2011and2015.Williams also featured forGreat Britainat the2012 Summer Olympics.

Club career

[edit]

Williams attendedShene SchoolinRichmond, Londonand joinedChelseaunder–14s at the age of 12.[7]She scored 30 goals for Chelsea's first team in the 2000–01 season and signed forCharlton Athletic Ladiesduring the following season. She won Charlton's Player of the Year and the FA Women's Young Player of the Year in her first season, the 2001–02 season.[8]

A back injury ruled Williams out of much of the 2002–03 season.[9]In May 2003 Williams scored an unfortunate own goal three minutes after coming on as a substitute in Charlton's 3–0FA Women's Cupfinal defeat toFulham.[10]She headed a corner from Fulham'sRachel Unitt– Williams' England teammate and then flatmate[11]– into her own net.[12]

In the 2003–04 season, Williams returned to form and was an important part of the Charlton Athletic side who challenged for all three domestic trophies.[13]She started Charlton's second successive FA Women's Cup final in May 2004, but suffered another 3–0 defeat asJulie Fleetingscored a hat-trick forArsenal.[14]Although Arsenal also pipped Charlton to the League title by a single point,[15]Williams collected anFA Women's Premier League Cupwinners' medal when Charlton beat Fulham 1–0 atUnderhillin March 2004.[16]

Williams surprisingly moved toEverton Ladiesin the summer of 2004,[17]where fans gave her the nickname "Queen Fara".[18]In 2004–05 Williams lost her third FA Women's Cup final in a row, to former club Charlton.[19]She won another League Cup medal in the 2007–08 season as Everton defeated Arsenal atBrisbane Road.[20]Williams missed two penalties, one in normal time and one in the shoot-out, as Everton were edged out byLeedsin the FA Women's Cup semi-final atHaig Avenue.[21]In the 2008–09 season, Everton missed out on the League title on goal difference after a final day defeat to Arsenal. However, Williams' performances saw her voted FA Players' Player of the Year.[22]

On 23 September 2009, Williams was picked in theWomen's Professional Soccer(WPS)International DraftbyPhiladelphia Independence.She was due to join up with her England teammateLianne Sandersonin the United States, before deciding to stay with Everton.[23]Williams' loyalty was rewarded with another two Cup finals in 2010: a defeat toLeeds Carnegiein the Premier League Cup, in which Williams scored Everton's consolation,[24]followed bya memorable extra–time win over Arsenal in the FA Women's Cup.[25]

Williams playing for Liverpool at Arsenal in October 2014

In November 2012, Williams andNatasha Dowieleft Everton for local rivalsLiverpool,who were hoping to build a squad capable of ending Arsenal's dominance of English women's football.[26]Liverpool beatBristol Academy2–0 on the final day to secure the2013 FA WSLleague title.[27]

Liverpool retained their title in2014,but were much less successful in2015.They finished seventh of eight teams as Williams missed three months of the season with a hamstring injury[28]andcoachMatt Bearddeparted for AmericanNational Women's Soccer League(NWSL) clubBoston Breakers.[29]

On 5 January 2016, Liverpool confirmed that Williams would be leaving the club to sign for deposed former champions Arsenal Ladies. Williams said: "I have really enjoyed my time at Liverpool Ladies and will take away some absolutely fantastic memories. When I first joined the Club the team had finished bottom of the league so to win back to back league titles was an incredible achievement."[30]

On 16 August 2017, she leftArsenal Womento joinWomen's Super League(WSL) rivals Reading on a two-year deal.[31]

In May 2019, she signed a new contract with Reading.[32]

On 26 April 2021, Williams announced that she would be retiring from the game at the end of the2020–21 season.[33]

International career

[edit]

England

[edit]

Williams' seniorEnglanddebut came aged 17 againstPortugalin November 2001.[34]During the return fixture in February 2002, her first start, Williams scored the opening goal from a free kick in a 3–0 win atFratton Park.[35]

Williams played in all three of England's group games atWomen's Euro 2005,scoring a penalty in the 2–1 defeat toDenmark.She also scored five goals in helping England qualify for theWorld Cupin China, including two in the 13–0 win overHungary.Williams forced the decisive own-goal in the play-off againstFrancewhich sealed qualification.[36]

She went on to play in all three of England's group games at theWorld Cup,and scored a penalty in England's 6–1 win overArgentina.However, she also picked up her second yellow card of the group stage in that match, and so missed the quarter-final defeat by theUnited Statesthrough suspension.[37]On 23 May, Williams picked up the 2007 FA International Player of the Year Award.[36]

On 8 May 2008, England playedBelarusin theUEFA Women's Euro 2009 qualifyingand Williams scored a hat-trick of long-range goals.[38]In May 2009, Williams was again named FA International Player of the Year, and was also voted FA Players' Player of the Year.[39]

At theEuro 2009final tournament inFinland,Williams scored a penalty during England's first game againstItaly.However, England lost the match 2–1 after Williams' error resulted in ared cardforCasey Stoney.[40]England improved and Williams, captain in the absence of the injuredFaye White,scored in a 3–2 quarter final win over hostsFinland.[41]She also featured in the semi-final win overthe Netherlandsand 6–2 final defeat byGermany.[22]

Williams was England's top-scorer with seven goals during qualifying for the2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.[42]A knee injury sustained in aWSLmatch withLincoln Ladiesleft her battling for fitness ahead of the finals.[43]Despite this, Williams was "more than pleased" to be named in the squad on 10 June 2011.[44]At the final tournament, she headed the first goal of England's campaign in the 1–1 draw withMexicoand also featured againstNew Zealandbefore being rested for the final group game, a 2–0 victory overJapan.Williams played 120 minutes in the quarter-final exit to France. She was not among the penalty takers in England'spenalty shootoutdefeat.

Williams fizzes a lowpenaltybeyondNadine Angererat the2015 FIFA Women's World Cupto inflict Germany's first ever defeat to England on the women's stage

Williams earned her 100th cap at the2012 Cyprus CupagainstSwitzerlandon 1 March 2012. England won the game 1–0 with Williams proud to score the only goal of the game: "It's a massive achievement to reach 100 caps and getting the goal made it extra special."[45]She was part of the England squad which performed poorly atUEFA Women's Euro 2013and was eliminated in the first round.

On 3 August 2014, Williams led the England team out againstSwedenand became the most capped player in the history of English football, with 130 caps. England won the match 4–0 in Hartlepool.[46]

At the2015 FIFA Women's World CupinCanada,Williams scored a 38th-minutepenalty kickagainstColombia,as England won 2–1 inMontrealon 17 June. In the semi-final inEdmontonon 2 July, Williams converted her second penalty of the tournament, in the 40th minute, to give England an equaliser against defending championsJapan.England lost the game 2–1. Two days later, and back in Edmonton, Williams scored another penalty, on this occasion in extra time, to give England the winning goal in a 1–0 victory overGermany.Her crucial goal gave England their first ever win over Germany and secured a bronze medal, the team's best ever finish at theFIFA Women's World Cup.[47]

Williams was not included in England's squad for the2019 FIFA Women's World Cup,but managerPhil Nevillesaid her international career was not over.[48]

She was allotted 140 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international.[49][50]

Great Britain

[edit]

In June 2012, Williams was named in an 18-playerGreat Britainsquad for the2012 Summer Olympics.[51]She made her debut for Great Britain in a goalless draw againstSweden,[52]before featuring four times in thetournament,as the team were eliminated byCanadain the quarter-finals.[53]

Personal life

[edit]

Williams washomelessfor seven years during the early part of her football career.[54]She was later employed by FA as a skills coach.[23]She has worked for the Homeless FA charity as a coach at Manchester United'sThe Cliff,and helping to select the England team for theHomeless World Cup.[55]

Williams was appointedMember of the Order of the British Empire(MBE)[56]in the2016 New Year Honoursfor services to women's football and charity.[57]

She supportsChelsea.[58][59]

In December 2015, she married former Everton teammateAmy Kane,but they separated a short time later.[60]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 2 May 2021[61]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Reading 2017–18 FA WSL 1 18 7 0 0 6 3 — — 24 10
2018–19 WSL 20 11 4 5 5 3 — — 29 19
2019–20 14 5 1 2 6 3 — — 21 10
2020–21 16 3 1 1 1 0 — — 18 4
Career total 68 26 6 8 18 9 — — 92 43

International

[edit]
Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Williams goal.
List of international goals scored by Fara Williams[62]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 2 February 2002 Fratton Park,Portsmouth,England Portugal 3–0 2003 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 6 March 2002 Paderne,Portugal Scotland 4–1 Algarve Cup
3 14 November 2003 Deepdale,Preston,England Scotland 5–0 Friendly
4 14 May 2004 London Road,Peterborough,England Iceland 1–0 Friendly
5 19 August 2004 Memorial Ground,Bristol,England Russia 1–2 Friendly
6 17 February 2005 National Hockey Stadium,Milton Keynes,England Italy 4–1 Friendly
7 13 March 2005 Estádio Fernando Cabrita,Lagos,Portugal Mexico 5–0 Algarve Cup
8
9 8 June 2005 Ewood Park,Blackburn,England Denmark 1–2 2005 UEFA Championship
10 1 September 2005 Ertl-Glas-Stadion,Amstetten,Austria Austria 4–1 2007 FIFA World Cup qualification
11 27 October 2005 Tapolca,Hungary Hungary 13–0 2007 FIFA World Cup qualification
12
13 17 November 2005 FC Zwolle Stadion,Zwolle,Netherlands Netherlands 1–0 2007 FIFA World Cup qualification
14 20 April 2006 Priestfield Stadium,Gillingham,England Austria 4–0 2007 FIFA World Cup qualification
15 11 March 2007 Adams Park,High Wycombe,England Scotland 1–0 Friendly
16 17 September 2007 Chengdu Longquanyi Football Stadium,Chengdu,China Argentina 6–1 2007 FIFA World Cup
17 14 February 2008 Larnaca,Cyprus Norway 2–1 Friendly
18 6 March 2008 Mourneview Park,Lurgan,Northern Ireland Northern Ireland 2–0 2009 UEFA Championship qualification
19 8 May 2008 Darida,Minsk,Belarus Belarus 6–1 2009 UEFA Championship qualification
20
21
22 5 March 2009 Larnaca,Cyprus South Africa 6–0 2009 Cyprus Cup
23 12 March 2009 Larnaca, Cyprus Canada 3–1 2009 Cyprus Cup
24 23 April 2009 New Meadow,Shrewsbury,England Norway 3–0 Friendly
25
26 25 August 2009 Lahden Stadion,Lahti,Finland Italy 1–2 2009 UEFA Championship
27 3 September 2009 Veritas Stadion,Turku,Finland Finland 3–2 2009 UEFA Championship
28 25 October 2009 Bloomfield Road,Blackpool,England Malta 8–0 2011 FIFA World Cup qualification
29
30
31 20 May 2010 Centenary Stadium,Ta' Qali,Malta Malta 4–0 2011 FIFA World Cup qualification
32
33 12 September 2010 New Meadow, Shrewsbury, England Switzerland 2–0 2011 FIFA World Cup qualification
34 16 September 2010 Stadion Niedermatten,Wohlen,Switzerland Switzerland 3–2 2011 FIFA World Cup qualification
35 27 June 2011 Volkswagen Arena,Wolfsburg,Germany Mexico 1–1 2011 FIFA World Cup
36 1 March 2012 Larnaca, Cyprus Switzerland 1–0 2012 Cyprus Women's Cup
37 31 October 2013 Adana 5 Ocak Stadium,Adana,Turkey Turkey 4–0 2015 FIFA World Cup qualification
38 17 June 2015 Olympic Stadium,Montreal,Canada Colombia 2–1 2015 FIFA World Cup
39 1 July 2015 Commonwealth Stadium,Edmonton,Canada Japan 1–2 2015 FIFA World Cup
40 4 July 2015 Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada Germany 1–0 2015 FIFA World Cup

Honours

[edit]

Everton

Liverpool

Arsenal

England

Individual

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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  45. ^Leighton, Tony (1 March 2012)."England beat Switzerland in Cyprus Cup".BBC Sport.Retrieved14 November2012.
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  47. ^"Germany Women 0-1 England Women".BBC Sport.Retrieved5 July2015.
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  54. ^McRae, Donald (17 November 2014)."Fara Williams: 'I had football. A lot of homeless girls have nothing'".The Guardian.Retrieved21 March2015.
  55. ^Creighton, Jessica (31 May 2014)."England midfielder Fara Williams: I was homeless for six years".BBC Sport.Retrieved31 May2014.
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  59. ^Fara Williams MBE [@fara_williams47] (16 March 2022)."Growing up in Battersea as a Chelsea fan, I never thought I would be sitting here on the Champions League covering them in the Last 16!!! The journey continues 💙 #UCL #CFC"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
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  61. ^Fara Williamsat Soccerway
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  70. ^"WSL: Fara Williams becomes first player inducted into Hall of Fame to mark 10-year anniversary of Women's Super League".Sky Sports.3 November 2021.Retrieved11 January2023.
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