[1] It was while he was playing for the latter club that he was spotted by West Bromwich Albion, and he was signed as a replacement for Mark Nicholson who had left to join Luton Town.
In the semi-final against Sunderland, Williams scored from the penalty spot following a foul on Billy Bassett, thus helping Albion secure their fifth FA Cup Final appearance.
For Williams however, it heralded the start of his England career, when he was called up to play at left-back in the British Home Championship match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham against Ireland.
England "totally dominated the game"[6] winning 6–0, with a hat-trick from Fred Wheldon (also making his international debut) and a pair from Steve Bloomer.
[9] Williams retained his place for the match against Wales on 28 March, when he was joined by his West Bromwich Albion colleague Tom Perry who was making his single international appearance at right-half.
In the match, played at Celtic Park, Glasgow on 2 April, Scotland were defeated by a fast and powerful England side, who emerged victorious by three goals to one, with Steve Bloomer scoring twice.
The first match, against Ireland, was played at Roker Park, Sunderland's newly opened ground, and ended in a 13–2 victory for England, with four goals from Gilbert Smith and three from Jimmy Settle.