Jonny Williams; from Tonbridge to the top

A short piece on Ipswich midfielder Jonny Williams with a local angle from Tonbridge, Kent.

Tonbridge-born Ipswich Town midfielder Jonny Williams is set to miss out on Wales’ Euro 2016 qualifier against Belgium this week.

The former Bennett Memorial Diocesan School pupil will miss the crucial qualifier following a thigh injury he picked up during Ipswich Town’s 1-0 win over Watford in the Championship this weekend.

The 21-year old left the pitch at Portman Road in tears and Ipswich Manager Mick McCarthy had this to say: ‘I don’t know how bad it is yet. His thigh is heavily strapped and he has a big sad face on him’.

Williams rose through the ranks at Crystal Palace to make his first team debut in 2011, but injuries have hampered his development since, and is in his second loan spell at Ipswich Town.

Born at Pembury hospital and raised in Tonbridge, his father is originally from Angelesey in Wales, and the midfield prospect has come a long way since his days at Tonbridge Angels.

Starting at Woodlands Primary School, Williams was playing for local team Tonbridge Angels until the age 9, when he attended trials at Crystal Palace, and was invited to join the youth set up.

By the time the Welshman was 14, he was selected for Wales’ U17s and would eventually make his debut for the first team, in 2013 during a 2-1 win over Scotland, as a substitute for Gareth Bale.

Whilst training at Crystal Palace’s academy, Williams remained at Bennett School until the age of 16, when he left to focus on his footballing career.

After this, Williams’ career really began to take off as he was starting to be regarded as a particularly hot prospect at Crystal Palace, turning in a number of eye catching performances for the academy and reserves.

At the age of 18, he made his first team debut for the Eagles, coming on as a second half substitute against Coventry in 2011.

Dylan Smart

                                                    Williams playing for Wales in 2013