Rejuvenated Williams targeting her fourth World Cup
After a marriage break-up, Reading player is thriving again in the England camp, writes Charlie Eccleshare
As Fara Williams belted in her third goal in two matches a week ago for Reading Ladies against Brighton, it was tempting to wonder if she will ever be knocked off her stride. This, after all, is a woman who made her England debut at 17 despite being at the start of a six-year period of homelessness, and has gone on to score 40 international goals from a record-breaking 168 caps; a woman who was awarded an MBE three years ago in recognition of her feats as a footballer and her charitable work with homeless young people.
Now, after the break-up of her marriage and a rocky period at Arsenal, the 34-year-old midfielder is enjoying life and football again – scoring four goals in eight Women’s Super League matches to propel Reading to fifth in the table.
Following an injury-hit pre-season, Williams also earned an England recall in September and could star at what would be her fourth World Cup this summer.
“I’m certainly happier now off the field and that definitely helps,” Williams told The Sunday Telegraph to explain her latest renaissance, ahead of today’s match against bottom club Everton.
A new relationship with former Millwall midfielder Leah Jones has been suggested as a catalyst for Williams’ off-field contentment over the past year, but she is clear that it is through her own strength of will that she has been able to thrive again: “I don’t think it’s the relationship that changed my life. I think I did it myself.”
The latest chapter in a phenomenal career began at the end of 2015. It should have been a halcyon time for Williams, as she married former Everton team-mate Amy Kane, received the MBE and put the finishing touches on a move to Arsenal. Within weeks of getting married, however, the pair split – leaving Williams to head to London alone and in a state of shock.
“Footballers are just normal people,” she says. “In life you have difficult periods and at Arsenal I certainly had that. It really affected the way I played. I moved from home, which was Liverpool at the time. I found it very difficult to settle.”
In unfamiliar surroundings, Williams did not want to discuss her break-up. “If I did it again, I probably also wouldn’t talk again until I was comfortable,” she says. “It wasn’t until I was over it that I was ready to open up about it, but by then it was probably too late, performance-wise.”
Despite winning the FA Cup in her first season at Arsenal, by the summer of 2017 Williams was ready for a new challenge. After helping England to the Euro 2017 semi-finals, she joined Reading. Soon everything fell into place. Williams scored seven Super League goals from 18 appearances in her debut season as Reading went from second bottom in the previous campaign to finishing an impressive fourth.
While often being asked to play a more withdrawn role for England, Williams has flourished in the No 10 position at club level. “At Reading I’ve found my form and found a place where I’m happy. The staff, the players are really bringing the best out of me. I’ve moved on a long way in a year and a half since Arsenal.”
Just do not fall into the trap of equating Williams’ revival with her love life. “Even before the new relationship I was happier, I was over my previous relationship. I think it took me a long time to get over it, but now I don’t think the new relationship is making me happier. I’m certainly happier now off the field and I think that definitely helps going into training every day.”
Williams also believes that it is becoming easier for players to share their off-field difficulties: “There are more opportunities for people to get support where they need it. For me, the game is definitely changing, where people’s stories are more heard than they were before. There’s a platform now for people to get the support they need.”
As one of the most respected players in the history of English football, Williams is happy to provide any additional guidance that her teammates might need. But she remains primarily a player rather than a mentor, and she is hopeful that her stellar performances for Reading will lead to more regular game time under England manager Phil Neville.
Williams has been a mainstay in Neville’s squads, but has found minutes hard to come by. Is she anxious about being involved at the World Cup in France next summer? “Phil wants to pick players that are in form for their clubs, so that’s all I can do,” she says.
“Play well, and hopefully I’ll get the opportunity again.”
Beyond that, is there any chance Williams is thinking about slowing down?
“Until I stop enjoying, it I’ll keep going as long as I can.” she says.
‘Phil wants to pick players for England that are in form for their clubs, so that’s all I can do’
Fara Williams was speaking at an event for the FA Mars “Just Play” programme