Bert Williams (footballer)

Bert Frederick Williams, MBE ( born January 31, 1920 in Bilston, Staffordshire, † January 19, 2014 in Wolverhampton ) was an English football goalkeeper.

After Williams had finished school, he began in Great Bridge, a village in West Midlands to work. On the side he played for Thompson's FC in the League Wolverhampton Works. There he was discovered by Andy Wilson, at that time coach at FC Walsall, and the age of 15 he moved to Walsall.

When Harry Hibbs, former goalkeeper of the English national team took over as coach of FC Walsall, he recognized the talent and Williams made ​​his debut as a 16- year-old in the first team of the club.

The Second World War slowed initially the career of the young man's end, as he had to do his military service in the Royal Air Force. As he came through the world so much, he met twice with English selections against a Welsh or a French selection.

After the war, Williams originally wanted to switch to Chelsea, but the Wolverhampton Wanderers offered £ 3,500 for him and Williams decided against the London club. For the Wolves, he should deny 420 games, including 381 league games. He also celebrated the victory in the FA Cup in 1949 and 1954 to win the championship succeeded.

On May 22, 1949 Williams received his first invitation to an official international match and England beat France 3-1. In 1950 he took part in the World Cup, in England, however, failed in the group stage. It is well recognized for its 0-1 defeat against the USA. After another defeat against the eventual group winners Spain you failed a second group. On October 22, 1955, he said goodbye after 24 international matches with a 1-2 defeat against Wales from the national team.

After the end of his career, Williams opened a shop in his home town of Bilston.