Ashley Williams: podcast appearances and interviews

Ashley Errol Williams, born on 23 August 1984, is a former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. He developed his early career at non-league side Hednesford Town after being released from West Bromwich Albion as a teenager. In 2003, he turned professional with Stockport County and later became their captain. Williams was loaned to Swansea City in March 2008, where he contributed to their League One title victory and subsequently signed for the club in a record transfer fee. During his time with Swansea, he made 352 appearances and scored 14 goals, helping the team achieve promotion to the Premier League and winning the 2013 Football League Cup Final. In August 2016, Williams transferred to Everton on a three-year contract for a fee of £12 million. He was a regular player in his first season but eventually fell out of favor and spent the 2018–19 season on loan at Stoke City. Following his release by Everton, he signed a short-term deal with Bristol City in August 2019, which was extended later that year. Williams left Bristol City at the end of the 2019–20 season and announced his retirement in January 2021 at the age of 36. Internationally, he earned 86 caps for Wales, scoring twice. He captained the national team at Euro 2016, leading Wales to reach the semi-finals.