CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB - HOME OF THE SEAGULLS

PLAYERS - WILLIAMS, Robert

Robert Lindsay WILLIAMS

STATISTICS

Guernsey Number: 21, 26
Career: 1951 to 1958
NFC Games: 113
NFC Goals: 43
Debut: v West Torrens (Norwood) 21st April 1951
Finale: v South Adelaide (Norwood) 26th July 1958

Advertiser Team of the Year: 1955
South Australian Games: 4

BIO

Robert Lindsay "Bob" Williams played for Payneham in the Amateur League before joining Norwood in 1951. He had played as a follower/forward in his time with Payneham, and enjoyed a particularly good season in 1950, winning the inaugural War Memorial Medal for Amateurs best under 21 player.
 
Williams made his League debut in the opening round of 1951 and was named Norwood's best junior later that year. He was selected in the forward pocket for the 1952 Grand Final against North Adelaide.
 
After playing most of his early football as a ruckman, resting in the forward lines, he was moved to defence during the 1954 season. Initially selected as a temporary replacement for full back Ron Reimann, Williams quickly adapted to his new role as a defender, and was awarded the club's Most Improved player trophy in 1954.

He continued his fine form in 1955 when he played in all of Norwood's 19 League matches, winning the team's Most Consistent trophy, and representing South Australia against Victoria and Western Australia.  He played across the half back line in the Norwood team that was defeated by Port Adelaide in the 1955 Grand Final.
 
The 1956 season saw Williams again play every League game for the Redlegs, and represent the State - this time against Essendon and Geelong. Showing good judgement, he was also a strong mark and had a long clearing kick. He tasted success as a member of the team that won the Advertiser Cup, and was high in the Redlegs' best players in its  defeat of South Adelaide in the final. The following week he played in Norwood's win over Carlton.
 
Williams reached his 100th League game milestone in 1957 and was named on the half back flank in that year's grand final side.
 
He travelled with the Norwood League team to Whyalla in mid-1958 and was among the best players in the Redlegs win.  

Williams injured his thigh against South Adelaide soon after, and did not play League football again.  He was in Norwood's best players in its loss to Port Adelaide in the 1958 Reserves Grand Final.

R Cialini Mar 2015

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