Williams richly deserved status as Pilgrims legend

THE WORD legend is frequently used in football, in reference to players and what they achieved in their careers.

Talk to former team-mates of Johnny Williams, who featured prominently for Plymouth Argyle between 1955 and 1966, and fans of the club in that era and they will tell you the word legend truly applies to him.

Williams died last week, aged 76, and ranks as one of Pilgrims' best players in their 125-year history.

A right-half (an attacking midfielder in modern terms), he made 448 appearances for Argyle and scored 55 goals – many with his trademark ferocious shots.

Lifelong Argyle fan Steve Rhodes has written a book about the club's 1958/59 title-winning Division Three season, in which Williams played an important part.

John Newman, meanwhile, was a team-mate of Williams, and also his captain, after arriving from Leicester City in January 1960.

Both men believe that Argyle were fortunate to be able to call upon the services of someone with the playing ability, and the character, of Williams.

Rhodes said: "We have to be careful not to over-use the word legend so that it does not lose its special meaning.

"But make no mistake, Johnny Williams was a true Argyle legend, right up there with other greats like Sammy Black, Jack Chisolm, Wilf Carter, Paul Mariner and Tommy Tynan."

Williams worked as an electrical fitter at Devonport Dockyard after leaving school in Plymouth, and played at local football level.

But Jack Rowley, the Argyle manager at the time, was alerted to the potential of Williams and that was the start of a long and successful association with the Pilgrims.

Rhodes said: "John was one of the most exciting players ever to grace Home Park. In the late 50s and early 60s he was courted by the top managers in the game.

In 1957, with Wolves on their way to the first of two consecutive Football League titles, Stan Cullis made a substantial bid for John's services.

"Other top clubs showed an interest but got no encouragement from the Argyle board, who, in those days, had the final say.

"Throughout his National Service, he retained a place in the powerful British Army XI, despite being the only player who would not go on to international honours.

"In an age when it wasn't always the norm, John knew the value of looking after his body.

"In the period from December 1957 to March 1963 he missed just one game out of 200, not through injury but because of a British Army game in Paris against their French counterparts.

"He was a fantastic athlete, a firm tackler and he could see a pass. He also possessed one of the hardest shots the game has known.

"If he got within 40 yards of the opposition's goal there was a real buzz of excitement on the terraces. Many of his 55 league and cup goals were from distance.

"Not only was he a wonderful footballer, he was also a devoted family man. Pleasant and unassuming, John always had time for supporters past and present."

Newman signed for Argyle the season after their Division Three title triumph, as they battled against relegation.

Now aged 77, he has fond memories of Williams, whose career at Argyle ended in December 1966 when, out of favour under manager Derek Ufton, he moved to Bristol Rovers.

Williams later returned to Argyle to work as reserve team coach when Billy Bingham was the Pilgrims' boss.

That was followed by spells at Cornish clubs Bodmin Town and Falmouth Town as his playing career came to an end.

Newman said: "As a team-mate he was first class, no doubt about it.

"He was a Plymouth Argyle man through and through. I will never forget when he went to Bristol Rovers he was so sad to leave.

"You could see it in his demeanour. It was the end of an era for him.

"Although, as a professional, you go out and do your job to the best of your ability, I don't think he had the same feeling for Bristol Rovers as he did for Plymouth Argyle."

There have been huge changes in football, and in the way games are played, from when Williams starred for Argyle to the current day.

But Newman firmly believes Williams would have thrived in the modern era.

He said: "He was a typical attacking wing-half, as they were called in those days.

"Funnily enough, I think the way they play today, with one up front and a midfielder off the striker, would have suited him down to the ground.

"He just wanted to get into the penalty box all the time. It put pressure on me because I was the defensive one. I think he did it on purpose!

"I knew John hadn't been well from messages I got from other people, but I was very sad to hear he had passed away.

"If anybody deserves to be called a Plymouth Argyle legend, he does."