[1] With Williams at the helm Rovers enjoyed notable success; winning promotion back to the Premier League in the 2000/01 season.
Followed by 10 consecutive seasons in the Premier League (many of which resulted in top 10 finishes), qualification to the UEFA Cup 3 times in 5 years.
Williams resigned his position as chairman in February 2011, after becoming dissatisfied with the club's new owners Venky's London Ltd., especially after they made the decision to sack manager Sam Allardyce in November 2010.
[3] Upon completion of his takeover on 15 September 2016, incoming owner Guochuan Lai officially appointed Williams chairman of the club.
Following a disastrous run of results under Head Coach Alan Pardew, Williams was sacked by owner Guochuan Lai along with CEO Martin Goodman and later technical director Nick Hammond were all sacked for their part in the decision to appoint Pardew and the decisions towards transfers in the time leading up to the 2017/18 season.