Tributes to legendary goal-scorer Williams
LEGENDARY former Plymouth Argyle star Johnny Williams has passed away at the age of 76.
Fans' favourite Williams made nearly 500 appearances for the Pilgrims in a Home Park career that spanned more than a decade.
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'PERFECT GENTLEMAN': Johnny Williams
Only three others have played for the club more times than the Bristol-born footballer, who will be remembered by fans for his stunning long-range goals.
Williams made his first-team debut in 1955, playing 477 matches and scoring 58 senior goals for the Greens.
Dozens of supporters began paying tributes online as the news emerged yesterday.
Many described him as a "legend", remembering with affection his trademark powerful shots.
In a statement, the club said it was "saddened" by the news, describing Williams as "one of Argyle's all-time greats".
Argyle added: "Johnny was easy on the ball, very stylish, and his athletic style of play showed what a great footballer he was.
"His physical strength, fitness and ferocious shots enabled him to score many of his goals from way outside the penalty area, goals that will not be forgotten by many fans.
"Off the field of play, Johnny was friendly and the perfect gentleman.
"He was certainly a fans' favourite and will be remembered for a long time.
"The condolences of all at Home Park go to Johnny, his family and friends."
Williams moved to the city as a youngster and attended Tamar School before gaining an electrical fitter apprenticeship at Devonport Dockyard.
He played amateur football for Virginia House, Co-op Welfare and EEM Department before his father famously asked Argyle to trial the 19-year-old.
Williams progressed through the ranks to win his debut in 1955 – and scored a memorable first goal in front of 35,000 fans at Liverpool's Anfield stadium.
During National Army Service, he found himself playing Army football alongside such greats as Bobby Charlton.
After one fixture, legendary manager Matt Busby is reported to have described him as "the finest player on view".
Williams won the Third Division with Argyle in 1958-59, and attracted interest from several First Division clubs.
A substantial offer from Wolves was rejected and a £40,000 price-tag slapped on to keep him at Home Park.
Williams also helped the Greens to a League Cup semi-final by scoring past Leicester goalkeeper and England World Cup hero Gordon Banks in 1964-65.
He left for Bristol Rovers the following season, briefly returning as a coach before becoming player-manager of Bodmin Town and helping Falmouth Town to one of their most successful eras.
Off the pitch, Williams remained in Plymouth after retiring, and had invested in a garage business in Blandford Road, Efford. He later added two more, at West Park and Southway.
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by alabar1
Sunday, November 27 2011, 10:58AM
“If Ike is correct and I hope he is ,it would be nothing more than he derserves a great player who even today would I am sure be an automatic choice for many premiership teams.
It was a great shame that when REG WYATT passed away the club did nothing to allow the fans to show thier respect at Home Park.
Please pay this tribute to Johnny and arrange for a minutes applause in his name , I feel sure all pilgrim supporters would like to pay tribute to one of the greatest players to have worn the number 4 green shirt for PLYMOUTH ARGYLE.”
by MikeSpiligan
Sunday, November 27 2011, 10:24AM
“There's to be a special feature by way of tribute in the next home game programme I believe.”
by Steveovplym
Saturday, November 26 2011, 11:51PM
“R.I.P Johnny Williams, what a legend he was, we used to have good conversations when i worked as a apprentice at Southway Garage for the 6 months i was there, about your days in Plymouth Argyle back in the mid 1950s, you had some very interesting stories, you where a very nice gentleman. You will be sadly missed and you will never be forgotten, Thoughts and wishes go out to your family at this sad time, R.I.P.”
by dorsetbob
Saturday, November 26 2011, 11:17PM
“My side too Codebreaker. Also George Robertson at Right Back. What a team. RIP Johnny. Thanks for the memories.”
by srwilliamsx
Saturday, November 26 2011, 9:48PM
“Statement from the family:
Johnny Williams was taken from us very suddenly on the morning of Thursday 24th November 2011. We are all devastated and extremely shocked at his passing but have taken great comfort from the messages from so many Argyle supporters on this page.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle to family and friends, who all love and adore him without exception. A true gentleman, always kind and with a smile that could light up a room, he was – as you have all said - an exceptional footballer and he remains a champion in all of our hearts.
We hope you will join us in celebrating his life at the official memorial:
MONDAY 5TH DECEMBER
11.30am at ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH
ROYAL PARADE”
by Codebreaker
Saturday, November 26 2011, 6:43PM
“I could not believe there was no one minute applause time for Johnny today at the game. What a disgrace and an insult to his memory. I've since learned that the FA has to sanction this apparantly, which is why it didn't happen. That being the case, shame on Argyle for not doing it anyway.”
by AparagusPete
Saturday, November 26 2011, 12:01PM
“Johnny Williams was my first Argyle hero. I have never see anybody kick a football
as hard as he did. Charlton and Wotton may have come close but Johnny was the best.”
by Codebreaker
Saturday, November 26 2011, 11:47AM
“@niknayme. I was at that game too. Although I was serving in the RAF I bumped into loads of mates from Plymouth at the game. Must have been a huge away contingent. As I recall Leicester were beaten in the final by Chelsea. This has prompted me to root out some old programmes from that era. Best team I recall. Dave Maclaren, Tony Book, Mike Reeves, JOHNNY WILLIAMS, Johnny Newman, Duncan Neale, Mick Trebilcock, Frank Lord, Cliff Jackson, Barrie Jones and Nicky Jennings. Same team week after week unless someone was injured. As a youth, I was in awe of his ferocious shot, with a ball today that modern footballers would struggle with.
RIP JOHNNY - THANKS FOR MAKING GOING TO ARGYLE A PLEASURE.”
by Mlifeboat
Saturday, November 26 2011, 11:39AM
“I am too young to have seen him play but I'll just add my tribute here as to one who certainly knew what do do with a ball and where to put it. Agreed, we could do with his like on the field today.
RIP Johnny and sincere condolences to your family and friends.
Mandy L”
by WILFWASTHEMAN
Saturday, November 26 2011, 11:19AM
“50 years ago I was taken by my uncle to my first Argyle game - a cup tie against West Ham when they were one of the top teams in the country - Moore, Hurst, Peters etc. There was a sell out 42,000 crowd and the atmosphere was electric. At one point in the game Johnny W surged forward and hit a shot from 35 yards that hit the back of the net before the goalie could move. The referee disallowed it as supposedly another Argyle forward was off side. It did not matter as 10 minutes later JW surged forward again. The crowd knew what was going to happen, the West Ham goalie knew what was going to happen but it made no difference as another 35 yarder nearly broke the back of the net before the keeper could move - this time the goal stood and Argyle beat one of the best teams in the country 3-1. JW was undoubtedly the best player I have seen in the green colours in 50 years of supporting. There is no doubt that had he moved to the Premiership (not called that then of course) he would have won England caps but he stayed loyal to Argyle. What a player and I am incredibly saddened to learn of his death.”