The popular figure is back in football again

Former MK Dons defender George Williams marked his return to football nearly a year after his last game.

The 33-year-old was a popular character during his second spell at MK1. Having come through the academy, Williams was released as an 18-year-old, and set about life at university. Impressing for Loughborough’s team, he was picked up by non-league Worcester City before being snapped up by Barnsley a few months later after an impressive FA Cup campaign.

After 18 months at Oakwell, he returned to Stadium MK and quickly established himself as a regular in the heart of the defence. Racking up 174 appearances in four-and-a-half years, Williams departed for Bristol Rovers in January 2021, to reunite with former boss Paul Tisdale, but swiftly moved to Cambridge for the following two seasons, before helping Mansfield Town to promotion from League Two.

Following his departure from Field Mill last summer though, Williams has been without a club. He had been training with Paul Warne’s Dons in a bid to keep his fitness up, but suffered injury while on trial elsewhere which delayed his chances of finding another club.

Last month though he signed a deal with non-league side Hednesford Town in Staffordshire. After making his debut against Stocksbridge a couple of days after joining, he has been out of action since, but returned on Saturday, starting in the thumping 4-0 win over Morpeth Town.

Posting on social media, Williams wrote: “Enjoyable afternoon yesterday. It’s good to be back playing!” on his return.

Hednesford sit second in the Northern Premier League table, level on points with toppers Hebburn Town, trailing on goal-difference.